Magnesium and the Brain: The Threonate DifferenceMagnesium is one of the most important minerals for human physiology, serving as a cofactor in over 300 enzymatic reactions. According to a 2004 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS), over 45% of the population failed to meet the estimated average requirement (EAR) for magnesium. The EAR is the average intake necessary to meet the bodily requirements of 50% of healthy individuals because certain health conditions like diabetes, hypertension and osteoporosis require even greater magnesium intakes to meet bodily requirements.

A contributing factor as to why over half of the Canadian population fails to meet their magnesium needs is the significant decline of 80-90% of magnesium content in produce compared to 100 years ago. Additionally, magnesium status can be negatively impacted by aging, certain health conditions, medications, exercise and diets high in soft drinks, caffeine, alcohol, sodium, calcium and excessive protein. Poor magnesium status is associated with several health concerns, such as occasional headaches, poor cognition, poor concentration, low mood, nervousness, suboptimal blood pressure and altered insulin response.

Magnesium status is an assessment challenge due to its tight regulation in the blood. A sufficient level of magnesium is essential for the health and function of the brain. Some of its most important functions are protecting the integrity of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), serving as a cofactor for neurotransmitter synthesis, and modulating receptors. The transportation of magnesium into the brain is normally a restricted process due to the tight regulation of magnesium in blood. In 2010, researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology published their novel discovery of magnesium L-threonate, the only magnesium complex shown to specifically increase magnesium levels within the brain.