Today, brain health is gaining more popularity. We’re focusing more on topics like stress’ repercussions. And, experts are finding brain health benefits in exercise—and even microbes. Now, we’ll analyze the link between magnesium and brain health.
Essentially, magnesium is an essential mineral. It contributes to enzymatic reactions in our bodies. Thus, it plays a role in protein synthesis, bone health, and disease prevention. People should get between 240 and 420 mg per day, depending on age.
But, are there more benefits than what we already know? Let’s find out.
What’s the link between magnesium and brain health?
As Elo Smart Nutrition explains, magnesium offers multiple cognitive benefits. That’s because magnesium is connected to our brains’ biochemistry. That results in several effects.
Firstly, we have depression. Magnesium deficiency ties into common depression symptoms. For instance, you may have trouble falling asleep, focusing, and eating. Therefore, magnesium supplementation might treat some depression symptoms.
Likewise, magnesium can help with anxiety symptoms. Those include trouble relaxing, irritability, and worrying. That also carries over to stress management. Fatigue, nervousness, tension, and irritability are symptoms of stress. Curiously, they’re also symptoms of magnesium deficiency. Again, magnesium supplementation might help with these issues.
Other benefits include migraines and sleep. Magnesium intake could decrease migraines. As for sleep, magnesium can improve sleep quality. Moreover, that translates into other cognitive advantages.
Magnesium intake and cognition improvements share a link
As this study explains, there’s a noticeable link between magnesium and brain health. The study gathered 2,508 participants aged 60 and up. It evaluated the subjects’ cognition related to magnesium intake.
The study found that higher magnesium intake correlated with higher cognitive scores. Moreover, non-Hispanic White women experienced more benefits. The same goes for men. Conversely, other women saw a limited association between magnesium and cognition.
Magnesium and brain health evidenced in learning and memory
Another study dove into nutrition and neuroscience, specifically magnesium. Magnesium’s cognitive influence is only starting to gain traction. The study reviewed existing literature and ran lab tests. Thus, we get a comprehensive look into the matter.
Magnesium plays a crucial role in cellular functioning. Most people associate that with physical benefits. But, cellular functioning is equally vital in cognitive performance. High magnesium and zinc intake correlate with better academic scores. On the other hand, low levels have correlated with mental disorders. Anorexia nervosa is one example given in the study.
Additionally, magnesium therapy shows positive cognitive recovery effects. That includes working memory and reference memory performance. Magnesium administration could also help patients recover from injury. However, the latter shows mixed results in other studies. Dose and task dependency are primary factors in the variability of these results.
Can magnesium supplements improve cognition?
Thus, magnesium supplementation could boost brainpower in people. At least, that’s what Science Daily explains in this article. It tackles a Chinese study focused on magnesium dietary supplements.
As mentioned, magnesium is essential for cellular functions. That includes brain cells. And, magnesium improves brain cells’ synaptic plasticity.
In the animal study, the results were similar to others I’ve covered here. Increased brain magnesium enhanced learning and memory in rats. As such, raising magnesium intake seems to improve main cognitive functions.
The holistic takeaway
Magnesium is one of the most popular supplements. It’s crucial for cell functioning, but that’s not the end. Brain cells also benefit from these effects. Therefore, magnesium intake could share a direct link with brain health.
But, how can you harness magnesium and brain health benefits? I have the ideal recommendation for you. Magnesium Breakthrough is my favorite magnesium supplement. It combines 7 different forms of magnesium. Thus, it supports several body functions, including cognition.
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