In a 2010 publication in the journal Neuron, scientists from MIT-the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, reported their discovery of a magnesium compound called magnesium L-threonate. According to their study, magnesium L-threonate has greater bioavailability compared to other magnesium supplements. When compared to other sources of magnesium, such as chloride, citrate, glycinate and gluconate, magnesium L-threonate was demonstrated to have higher absorption capacity and higher body retention of the compound.
[12,13] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9786204/
Magnesium, which is the second-most abundant intracellular mineral, is required for over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body. Therefore, it is essential for the biochemical functioning of numerous metabolic pathways, including energy generation in every cell, protein production, gene regulation, bone and teeth maintenance, as well as the proper functioning of the brain and nervous systems. Mg is abundant in the food supply and can be found in foods such as grains, cereals and dark leafy green vegetables such as spinach and cabbage
Magnesium supplements have generally been shown to have low bioavailability after ingestion as well as to cause some people GI intolerance. This particular form of magnesium, magnesium threonate has been shown to raise the magnesium levels in the brain and neurons effectively [11]. Mg supplementation has been shown to improve symptoms of migraine headaches, possibly help cognition , and to have a beneficial effect on subjective anxiety in subjects prone to mental stress [4,5]. Higher intake of Mg has been associated with lower depression symptoms [6]. It has been shown that test anxiety, related to exposure to stressful exam conditions, increases urinary Mg excretion, resulting in a partial reduction in serum Mg levels [7]. Thus the need for supplementation.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled study was performed in China for which a magnesium L-threonate and phosphatidylserine-based formulation which also contained vitamins C and D, was tested for its possible cognitive benefits. They studied over one hundred healthy Chinese adults between 18 and 65 years old. The study subjects were randomly received either Magnesium threonate or placebo capsules. “The Clinical Memory Test”, was performed which is a standard test used in Chinese hospitals and academic institutes to evaluate cognition in those tested. The subjects were tested before receiving their first dose of the supplement and again after 30 days of the daily dosing regimen. Subjects who received the magnesium supplementation showed significant improvements as shown by their scores on the “The Clinical Memory Test” .It is important to note that older participants showed more improvement than younger participants. The overall study results reported significant benefits of Magtein®PS in improving memory and cognition in healthy Chinese adults.
Surveys have shown that the intake of Magnesium in the Chinese population has been shown to be below the 330 mg/day recommended by the China Nutrition Society [2]. Therefore, the idea of supplementing with this mineral on a widespread basis may be warranted.
Here in the US a study based on data from the National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES) done between 2011 and 2014 included over 2500 participants over the age of 60. This study found that healthy magnesium were associated with significantly higher global cognitive scores [8]. Although this seems to establish a need for supplementation, most magnesium supplements have been shown to have bioavailability problems. Supplementation In many cases does not lead to increased magnesium levels in the brain [9,10]. In contrast to other forms of magnesium, magnesium L-threonate was shown to significantly elevate magnesium concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid in rats when administered orally, while other forms of magnesium did not [11]. With these results, it became of paramount importance to investigate the effects of magnesium L-threonate in humans. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in was done on older American adult subjects between 50 and 70 years of age. It was published in 2016 [20] and showed that supplementation with magnesium L-threonate significantly improved overall cognitive scores when compared to the subjects given a placebo.
Vitamin C and D were to magnesium L-threonate in one clinical study of patients with mild to moderate dementia. A significant improvement in cognition was observed[26]. Vitamin D has been shown to promote Mg uptake by the kidneys [27], and also to promote Mg absorption in the GI tract [28]. Low vitamin D levels have been associated with an increased risk of dementia[29,30]. Thus, the ingredients in the Magtein®PS-based formula which contained vit C , and D may have provided a synergistic effect by increasing magnesium absorption, increasing brain magnesium levels and thereby improving cognition..
More Information About Magnesium
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Magnesium Helps a Wide Variety of Conditions
Cardiovascular Health
Magnesium deficiency increases a person’s risk of cardiovascular disease according to a 2018 review. Magnesium deficiency has been found to be common in people with congestive heart failure and its presence makes the condition more difficult to treat successfully. When people are given magnesium soon after a heart attack it lowered the death rate. The administration of magnesium in this setting reduces the occurrence of arrhythmia– an abnormal heart rhythm which is quite dangerous for these patients. Magnesium intake lowers a person’s risk of stroke according to A 2019 meta-analysisTrusted Source The Office of Dietary SupplementsTrusted Source says that magnesium supplementation lowers blood pressure .
It was found that people who suffer from migraines have lower levels of magnesium in their blood and body tissues when compared with others. A systematic review from 2017 Trusted Source said that taking 600mg of magnesium citrate is a safe and effective way to prevent migraines. The American Migraine Foundation officially recommends an intake of 400–500 mg per day for migraine prevention. Read more about magnesium for migraine.
Premenstrual syndrome
A 2012 articleTrusted Source, article recommended taking magnesium supplements along with vitamin B-6 to improve PMS symptoms. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists say that taking magnesium supplements may help to reduce bloating, and improve mood symptoms, and breast tenderness .
Anxiety
Magnesium deficiency may play a role in mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety. A systematic review from 2017Trusted Source said that low magnesium levels correlate with higher levels of anxiety. This is felt to be due to the effects of magnesium being essential to the coordinated functioning of the hypothalamus, pituitary and adrenal glands which work together in the physiologic system known as the HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) axis, consisting of three glands that are activated by stress.
Diabetes
The risk of type 2 diabetes may be lower in those who supplement with magnesium. According to Trusted Source, this is due to magnesium’s role in glucose control and insulin metabolism. Magnesium deficiency has been shown to be one cause of insulin resistance which precedes the development diabetes. Insulin resistance itself may lowering magnesium levels, highlighting the need for magnesium supplementation.
Bone health
Calcium and magnesium along with zinc, manganese and selenium are essential for bone health. Research from 2013Trusted Source showed that supplemental magnesium intake is associated with higher bone density and a lower risk of osteoporosis in women. Magnesium also plays a role in regulating Vit D, another nutrient important for bone health.