Key takeaways
- Target stocks magnesium glycinate from its own up & up private label plus third-party brands like Nature Made, Nature's Bounty, and Olly, in capsule, softgel, and gummy formats.
- Most Target options land in the 100-240mg elemental magnesium range per serving, below the 275-400mg doses used in the sleep research.
- The up & up magnesium glycinate capsules are the cheapest way to get glycinate-form magnesium at Target, though the elemental dose per capsule is modest.
- Target's gummies are almost always magnesium citrate or oxide with added sugars, not glycinate. Check the Supplement Facts panel before you buy.
- If you want the clinical dose in one serving, a single-ingredient magnesium glycinate product at 275-400mg outperforms Target's mixed lineup. SleepStack delivers 275mg elemental magnesium glycinate per serving for $29.99.
What magnesium glycinate can you buy at Target?
Target carries magnesium glycinate across three channels: its private label (up & up), established supplement brands (Nature Made, Nature's Bounty, Olly, Vitafusion), and a small rotating cast of third-party sellers on target.com. In-store stock varies by location, but target.com consistently lists dozens of SKUs under the "magnesium glycinate" search.
The practical stock picture looks like this:
| Brand | Typical format | Elemental magnesium / serving | Approx. price |
|---|---|---|---|
| up & up (Target brand) | Capsule | 100-240mg | $8-14 |
| Nature Made | Capsule, softgel | 200mg | $12-18 |
| Nature's Bounty | Capsule, gummy | 200-250mg (capsule) / 84mg (gummy) | $10-16 |
| Olly | Gummy | Usually magnesium citrate, not glycinate | $12-18 |
| Vitafusion | Gummy | Usually magnesium citrate, not glycinate | $10-14 |
The "gummy" category is where most shoppers get caught out. Despite Target's search showing gummies under "magnesium glycinate" queries, the majority of gummies on the shelf are citrate or oxide, not glycinate. Glycinate doesn't formulate well into gummies at high doses, which is why capsules dominate the category.
Research on magnesium for sleep quality has generally used doses in the 200-500mg elemental magnesium range (Abbasi et al. 2012; Rondanelli et al. 2011). Target's up & up capsules at 100-240mg can meet this if you take two or three, though that triples your daily capsule count and cost per dose. Most buyers assume one capsule equals one dose.
Is the up & up (Target brand) magnesium glycinate any good?
Target's private-label magnesium glycinate is the most searched product under this keyword, and it's the most common question on Reddit threads about Target supplements. Here's the honest read.
What it gets right. It's actually magnesium glycinate (or bisglycinate), not oxide mislabeled as "magnesium." The price per capsule is among the lowest in the category. For budget shoppers who want the glycinate form over the cheap oxide form, up & up clears that bar.
What to watch for. Read the Supplement Facts panel, not the front label. Many magnesium supplements list the total weight of the magnesium compound (for example "1,000mg magnesium glycinate") rather than the elemental magnesium, which is the amount your body actually uses. Elemental magnesium in magnesium bisglycinate is roughly 11-14% of total weight. A "1,000mg magnesium glycinate" label can translate to 100-140mg elemental. Compare that to the 275-400mg elemental doses used in clinical sleep studies.
Reddit's take. Discussions in r/Supplements and r/Magnesium tend to land in a similar place. The up & up product is rated as "fine for the price" and "better than oxide," but commenters frequently flag the dose as low and recommend taking two to three capsules to hit research-backed intakes. A common sentiment: the cheapest glycinate in aisle 3 is still better than a premium oxide, but if you're taking magnesium specifically for sleep, dose matters more than price.
Does Target sell magnesium glycinate gummies?
Mostly no, despite what the search results suggest. Target's gummy supplement section is dominated by Olly, Vitafusion, and Nature's Bounty gummies that use magnesium citrate or magnesium oxide, not glycinate. A few "mag glycinate gummy" SKUs exist from smaller brands on target.com, but they typically deliver 50-84mg elemental magnesium per serving, plus 2-5g of added sugars.
Magnesium glycinate is harder to formulate as a gummy because the glycinate chelate is bulky. Hitting 200mg+ elemental in a palatable gummy usually requires a very large gummy or multiple gummies per serving. If you specifically want glycinate and prefer gummies, read the Supplement Facts panel carefully. Most "magnesium gummies" at Target are not glycinate, and the elemental dose is well below what sleep research uses.
How to pick a magnesium glycinate at Target (or anywhere)
Four things determine whether a magnesium glycinate supplement will do anything for your sleep.
1. The form. Glycinate (sometimes labeled "bisglycinate") is a chelated organic salt with substantially better absorption than oxide and is gentler on the gut than oxide or citrate. If the label says "magnesium oxide" or just "magnesium," it's not glycinate, regardless of where it's stocked in the supplement aisle.
2. The elemental dose. Sleep research uses 200-500mg elemental magnesium. Most clinical sleep studies land around 250-400mg (Abbasi et al. 2012; Rondanelli et al. 2011). Check the "Elemental Magnesium" figure in the Supplement Facts panel, not the total compound weight on the front.
3. What else is in the capsule. Many drugstore multi-ingredient sleep blends add melatonin, L-theanine, valerian, or "proprietary blends" at undisclosed doses. This muddies the picture if you're trying to isolate whether magnesium is helping. A single-ingredient product tells you what's working.
4. Timing. Magnesium for sleep is typically taken 30-60 minutes before bed. Most users report the nervous-system wind-down within 45 minutes. Research suggests consistent daily use for 2-4 weeks produces the clearest sleep benefits.
If Target's stock doesn't meet these criteria in one product, a direct-to-consumer single-ingredient option is worth comparing. SleepStack delivers 275mg elemental magnesium glycinate in one serving, matches the dose research uses, and includes a 30-night money-back guarantee. It's not on Target's shelves, but shipping lands in 2-3 days.
A note on severity: if your sleep issues are persistent, waking you multiple times a night, or paired with daytime impairment, magnesium is a wellness tool, not a treatment. Talk to a doctor to rule out underlying sleep disorders like apnea, restless legs, or anxiety disorders that need clinical care.
Frequently Asked Questions
What brand of magnesium glycinate does Target sell?
Target sells its own up & up private-label magnesium glycinate plus third-party brands including Nature Made, Nature's Bounty, Olly, and Vitafusion. The up & up brand is the cheapest option, while Nature Made is the most commonly stocked third-party option. Stock varies by store, but target.com carries a wider selection.
Is the Target brand magnesium glycinate good?
The up & up magnesium glycinate is legitimate glycinate-form magnesium and is among the cheapest options in the category. The main trade-off is dose: many of its SKUs deliver 100-240mg elemental magnesium per capsule, below the 275-400mg doses used in clinical sleep research. It's a solid budget choice if you're willing to take multiple capsules per dose.
Can I take magnesium with MTHFR?
Magnesium supplementation is generally considered compatible with MTHFR gene variants and is sometimes recommended alongside methylated B vitamins, since magnesium is a cofactor in methylation pathways. There's no direct interaction between magnesium and the MTHFR enzyme. That said, if you've been diagnosed with an MTHFR variant or are managing related symptoms, talk to your doctor before starting any supplement protocol.
Can I take NAC with magnesium glycinate?
Yes. NAC (N-acetylcysteine) and magnesium glycinate are commonly stacked, and there are no known direct interactions between them. They target different pathways: NAC supports glutathione production, and magnesium supports hundreds of enzymatic reactions including those involved in relaxation and sleep. Take them at different times of day if you find NAC energizing, as it can interfere with sleep for some people.
Does Target sell magnesium glycinate powder?
Target's powder options are mostly magnesium citrate drink mixes (like Natural Vitality Calm) rather than glycinate powders. True magnesium glycinate powders are less common at Target because the form is usually encapsulated. If you specifically want a glycinate powder, you'll have better luck at specialty supplement retailers or direct-to-consumer brands.
Is magnesium glycinate at Target cheaper than Amazon?
For the up & up private label, usually yes, since Amazon doesn't stock it. For third-party brands like Nature Made and Nature's Bounty, prices are typically within $1-3 of Amazon, with Target sometimes matching via price-match or Circle offers. Amazon has a wider selection of higher-dose glycinate products not stocked at Target.
Sources
- Abbasi, B., Kimiagar, M., Sadeghniiat, K., Shirazi, M. M., Hedayati, M., & Rashidkhani, B. (2012). The effect of magnesium supplementation on primary insomnia in elderly: A double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 17(12), 1161-1169.
- Rondanelli, M., Opizzi, A., Monteferrario, F., Antoniello, N., Manni, R., & Klersy, C. (2011). The effect of melatonin, magnesium, and zinc on primary insomnia in long-term care facility residents in Italy. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 59(1), 82-90.
- Boyle, N. B., Lawton, C., & Dye, L. (2017). The effects of magnesium supplementation on subjective anxiety and stress: A systematic review. Nutrients, 9(5), 429.
- National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. Magnesium Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. ods.od.nih.gov
For the complete picture, see the best magnesium glycinate supplements.
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