Copper Bisglycinate
Also known as: copper glycinate, chelated copper, copper bis-glycinate, copper amino acid chelate
Copper chelated with two glycine molecules, supplying about 25% elemental copper in commercial grades. It is the form most often chosen when a small copper dose is added to zinc, immune, or hair-and-skin formulas, on the reasoning that the chelate is gentler and less reactive in a blend than copper sulfate or oxide. NIH ODS notes that no studies have directly compared the bioavailability of copper forms, so its advantage is inferred rather than demonstrated.
Research summary
Supplies copper for cuproenzymes including ceruloplasmin (iron mobilization), lysyl oxidase (collagen and elastin cross-linking), superoxide dismutase, and tyrosinase (pigment).
Dosage
Daily amounts, elemental (25% of the compound is the element).
| Lowest studied | Typical range | Highest studied | Upper limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 mg | 0.5–2 mg | — | 10 mg |
NIH ODS — UL of 10,000 mcg (10 mg)/day for adults from all sources
Doses are milligrams of elemental copper. Commercial bisglycinate is specified at roughly 25% copper (bis-glycinate stoichiometry ≈ 30%; blends vary) — verify against the supplier's certificate of analysis. The adult RDA is 0.9 mg and the UL is 10 mg from all sources; ODS reports supplements ranging from a few micrograms to 15 mg. A highest studied dose specific to this chelate was not located. Usually taken with food alongside zinc.
Source material: synthetic chelate (copper with glycine)
As supplied: ≈ 25% Cu; 1 mg elemental ≈ 4 mg compound
Forms of Copper
| Form | Typical dose | Element % | Formats | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copper Bisglycinate | 0.5–2 mg | 25% | Capsule, Powder, Tablet, Gummy, Liquid | low |
| Copper Gluconate | 0.5–2 mg | 14% | Capsule, Powder, Tablet, Gummy, Liquid | low |
Format suitability
- Capsule
- Powder
- Tablet
- Softgel
- Gummy
- Liquid
Tiny dose; blend uniformity and a pale blue tint in powders are the only practical considerations.
Formulation notes
Included in zinc formulas above about 25 mg zinc to offset zinc-induced copper depletion; a 1–2 mg copper to 15–30 mg zinc ratio is common. Iron and high-dose vitamin C can modestly reduce copper absorption when taken together.
- Has an upper limit
Sources
Related ingredients
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
VitaminAscorbic acid is the reference form of vitamin C and the most common form in supplements; NIH ODS notes its bioavailability equals that of vitamin C naturally present in food.
Typical: 250–1,000 mg
Zinc Gluconate
MineralThe most common zinc salt in multivitamins, lozenges, and immune products, containing about 14.3% elemental zinc.
Typical: 10–25 mg
Zinc Picolinate
MineralZinc chelated with picolinic acid, a tryptophan metabolite that is proposed to aid mineral transport across the gut wall.
Typical: 10–25 mg
Zinc Bisglycinate
MineralZinc chelated with two glycine molecules, sold as a gentle, well-absorbed form for people who get nausea from zinc salts.
Typical: 10–25 mg
Zinc Citrate
MineralA zinc salt of citric acid with a relatively high zinc content of about 31%, giving it a compactness advantage over gluconate and picolinate.
Typical: 10–25 mg