Brain Fitness for Life

I was intrigued by a that just came out by some fellow neuroscientists from MIT and Tsinghua University. During the course of their study, these researchers increased the brain magnesium of rats using a compound called magnesium-L-threonate (MgT). They found that once magnesium levels increased in the brain, these rats showed measurable improvements in working memory, short and long-term memory, and they also improved their ability to learn new things. These positive changes are believed to have occurred because the increase in magnesium correlated with increased strength (plasticity) of brain synapses (the connection between neurons that assists in transmitting nerve signals). Magnesium also promoted the density of synapses in the hippocampus (the part of the brain that helps with long-term memory and spatial navigation).

Even though the research was performed on lab rats, it is believed that the science can be applied to human populations. One of the authors of the study, Susumu Tonegawa, said, “This study not only highlights the importance of a diet with sufficient daily magnesium, but also suggests the usefulness of magnesium-based treatments for aging-associated memory decline.”

These are important findings considering in the US, 68 percent of the population is getting less than the recommended daily allowance. In France, 18 percent of men consume less than 2/3 of the recommended daily allowance for magnesium (). In fact, it is believed that half of the population of the industrialized world has a magnesium deficiency.

Magnesium is an important mineral. It is needed for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the human body! It is well-known for assisting with heart, muscle, and nerve function, but this new study shows it might help enhance learning and memory as well. So how do you get more magnesium in your diet? Green vegetables (such as spinach) are good sources, which are also a great way to supplement PQQ, an important vitamin in maintaining cognitive health.

Legumes, such as beans and peas, are also a great source. Whole grain breads are packed with a lot of magnesium too. If none of these food items meet your fancy simply drinking plenty of hard water should help assist in supplementing your intake of magnesium (although this is less assured since the amount can vary depending on the water supply).