High Levels of Magnesium May Prevent Dementia

The global prevalence of dementia is expected to rise dramatically from 57.4 million in 2019 to 152.8 million in 2050. This will impose a large burden on health and social services and incur considerable economic costs. Since there is no cure for dementia and the development of drugs for treating dementia has been unsuccessful over the last 30 years, hence it is suggested that greater attention should be paid to prevention.

Magnesium: An Underappreciated Nutrient for Brain Health

Emerging research suggests that dietary Magnesium (Mg) is associated with better cognitive function and may reduce the risk of developing dementia. However, it is unclear when dietary Mg intake starts contributing to Brain health and in what way.

This critical question is answered by a study involving more than 6,000 cognitively healthy participants in the United Kingdom aged 40 to 73 years. The study found that people who consume more than 550 milligrams of magnesium each day have a younger brain age compared with someone with a normal magnesium intake.

In this study, participants completed an online questionnaire five times over 16 months. The responses provided were used to calculate the daily magnesium intake of participants and were based on 200 different foods with varying portion sizes.

The study published in the European Journal of Nutrition focused on magnesium-rich foods such as leafy green vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains to provide an average estimation of magnesium intake from the participants’ diets.

Magnesium Rich Foods Prevent Dementia Risk

These findings highlight the potential benefits of a diet high in magnesium and the role it plays in promoting good brain health. Researchers say a higher intake of magnesium in our diets from a younger age may safeguard against neurodegenerative diseases and cognitive decline by the time we reach our 40s. This means people of all ages should be paying closer attention to their magnesium intake.

Therefore, researchers say increased intake of magnesium-rich foods such as spinach and nuts could also help reduce the risk of dementia, which is the second leading cause of death in Australia and the seventh biggest killer globally. This research could inform the development of public health interventions aimed at promoting healthy brain aging through dietary strategies.



Source-Eurekalert