COGNITIVE BENEFITS OF MAGNESIUM THREONATE
The importance of adequate magnesium levels to maintain our health continue to grow in the medical literature. It is now believed that magnesium may play a significant role in cognitive decline. Some people’s brains shrink with age more than others. Increasing the neuronal synapses and their density may prevent cognitive decline and magnesium threonate may help. Magnesium threonate (MgT) was first introduced in 2010 and unlike other preparations of magnesium it was noted that it had an ability to be rapidly absorbed into the brain. It was noted that this created a reversal of specific aspects of brain aging by increasing the number of “functional presynaptic release sites,” while it reduced the release probability. Magnesium is already recognized as a mineral required by the body for more than 300 crucial biologic functions, such as contracting muscles, maintaining heartbeat, creating energy, and activating nerves to send and receive messages. Unfortunately, a large percentage of the US population is deficient in magnesium. About half do not get the recommended amounts: 310 to 320 mg for women and 400 to 420 mg for men. Presumed deficiencies vary depending on health status and age. For example, having heart disease and being elderly increased the risk of being deficient in magnesium. No matter the age, it is apparent that magnesium deficiency is a generalized health concern worldwide. People with low magnesium levels are at risk for a number of serious disorders, including cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and other signs of metabolic syndrome and osteoporosis. A 2006 study published in the journal of Alzheimer’s disease notes that magnesium threonate consumption showed benefits in the areas of anxiety, sleep disorders, and cognitive dysfunction in human adults. In short, the study found that brain atrophy is a natural part of aging, but supplementation with magnesium threonate for 12 weeks improved and even reverse symptoms in the study group. The unique property of magnesium threonate is that when taken orally, it crosses the blood: brain barrier and once it is in the brain, it increases the density of synapses-the communication connections between brain cells. Once more, magnesium threonate increases dysfunction in precisely the places needed. According to researchers, the brain does not age at the same rate as the rest of the body. For example, a 60-year-old can have a brain that essentially functions like that of someone a decade older. How that varies is measurable to your performance test score as well as physiologic parameters. It can also happen in cases of traumatic brain injury.
The magnesium threonate study shows an average chronological age of 57.8 years among participants. However, their cognitive function average 68.3 years of age-about a 10-year difference. By supplementing with magnesium threonate, a dynamic difference was made. The subject’s collective brain age decreased from 69.6 at the start of the study to 60.6 in just six weeks of time-nine-year brain age drop. The improvement continued throughout the 12 weeks with the brain age at the average with the end averaging 9.4 years younger which closely matched the peers with healthy brains. The takeaway is the remarkable difference of magnesium and more specifically, magnesium threonate, makes in regard to turn back time in people whose brain age is greater than that of their chronological age. Studies also show increased concentrations of magnesium in brain cells from the hippocampus-where memories are stored and retrieved.
Earlier studies also have explored factors contributing to cognitive decline, including sleep loss and anxiety disorder with perceived memory loss. Not surprising, people with this particular set of conditions are more than likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease. Clinically, we have seen a significant improvement in sleep quality and decreased anxiety by utilizing a magnesium threonate supplementation.
Other little known that important factors regarding magnesium include the fact that it works hand in hand with calcium and the optimal ratio level is 1:1. Unfortunately, some physicians have pushed with patients to concentrate on only calcium intake to avoid problems with osteoporosis. With insufficient amounts of magnesium, the heart may not function properly. When the balance between the two favors calcium, especially with a 2:1 ratio or greater, it may result in an increased risk in heart attacks. A study in Norway looked at the high incidence of hip fractures which was felt to be due to an imbalance between calcium and magnesium concentrations. After investigation, research has concluded that increasing magnesium may help to protect the patient’s against hip fractures. In addition, keeping your vitamin K2 and vitamin D3 intake on par with magnesium and calcium is also important. The four work together.
If you opt for magnesium supplement, I know that there are several different forms available. Additionally, one way to get it is through taking regular Epsom salt baths or foot baths. This form of magnesium, magnesium sulfate, absorbed through the skin to raise your level.
Since you get only one brain to last your entire lifetime, scientists believe that supplementing with magnesium threonate appears to be imperative for anyone wanting to preserve brain function or even to recover some function that has been lost.
Keith W. Vrbicky, MD
1410 N 13th St
Norfolk NE 68701
Phone: (402) 379-2322
Fax: (402) 379-0888
E-mail: kvrbicky@mwhp.com