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- Neurologist points to one supplement you should be taking daily to improve brain health (irishstar.com)
Could a daily dose of magnesium help keep Alzheimer’s at bay? One neurologist thinks so.
Dr. Alejandro Andersson of the Buenos Aires Institute of Neurology highlights magnesium’s crucial role in brain health, emphasizing its ability to regulate nerve signals, combat brain inflammation, and protect brain cells.
Not all magnesium is created equal, according to Dr. Andersson.
He points to magnesium threonate as a standout due to its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, delivering benefits directly to the central nervous system. Other forms of magnesium aren’t as effective at reaching the brain.
While magnesium threonate shows promise, it’s important to proceed with caution and adhere to recommended intake guidelines. Currently, there’s no established daily intake specifically for magnesium threonate.
The NHS recommends a maximum daily intake of 400mg of magnesium from all sources, warning that exceeding this amount, even briefly, could lead to diarrhea. Long-term effects of high magnesium doses remain unclear.
The Department of Health and Social Care emphasizes that a balanced diet should provide sufficient magnesium, adding that supplements providing up to 400mg daily are “unlikely to cause harm.”
While human studies are still needed, animal research offers encouraging results. Studies suggest magnesium threonate can elevate brain magnesium levels and enhance cognitive function.
A 2020 study in BMC Neuroscience showed this form of magnesium helped prevent brain cell death and preserve cognitive function in fish. Further research from 2024 indicated magnesium-L-threonate might reduce Alzheimer’s symptoms in mice.