350 Magtein - Magnesium for the Brain [21 Dec 2015]

In March, April & May of 2013 I wrote three columns on magnesium and its many important roles in human health. The May column was about magnesium bisglycinate, a new non-laxative form of this mineral. This week I’m writing about another new form of magnesium and its amazing benefits for mental health.

Magnesium plays essential roles in brain function and in the repair of injured brain tissue. Magnesium deficiency has been linked to confusion, fatigue, irritability, poor memory, and reduced ability to learn.

The problem is that most forms of magnesium do not readily cross the blood-brain barrier and are therefore ineffective in raising magnesium levels in the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF). The only exception is magnesium L-threonate which was recently developed by MIT researchers. An animal study showed that Magtein (the patented brand name of magnesium L-threonate) outperformed all other forms of magnesium in raising CSF levels; in fact it was the only form to significantly raise magnesium levels.

Along with the increase in CSF magnesium levels, animal studies have shown Magtein to improve long and short term memory and to enhance learning abilities. Both young and older animals improved spatial working memory on maze tests.

A decline with age in synaptic connections in the hippocampus part of the brain is correlated with impaired memory and Alzheimer’s disease. In animal studies Magtein supplementation increased the synaptic density in the hippocampus.

Magtein supplementation significantly reduced Beta amyloid plaques, associated with Alzheimer’s disease, in Transgenic Alzheimer’s (TA) mice. Even older end-stage TA mice showed reduced plaque and significant improvement in memory tests, providing hope for Magtein as a treatment for advanced Alzheimer’s.

Human clinical trials are under development to see how well Magtein works in people. Meanwhile Magtein has been available in the US for several years and has just been approved for sale in Canada. People using Magtein report noticing changes in anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Some of the benefits reported are: improved memory, restored ability to think and focus, brain fog cleared, improved mood, better quality sleep with vivid dreams, less need for afternoon naps, and increased energy. An 81-year-old summed it up this way “It is a marvelous feeling to have my mind back again!”

For more information on this or other natural health topics, stop in and talk to Stan; for medical advice consult your licensed health practitioner. See this article on my website for links to sources and further reading.