There are several things you can do to protect your cognitive health and reduce the risk of dementia. Eating right and keeping the brain active are helpful activities. But the latest studies show that magnesium may be your secret weapon.
Read on to find out what science is saying about magnesium and its potential in fighting dementia.
The Study
A study conducted by scientists at the Neuroimaging and Brain Lab at The Australian National University shows that consuming magnesium-rich foods could reduce the risk of dementia, the second-biggest cause of death in Australia and the seventh-biggest cause of death in the world.
The study involved over 6,000 UK citizens aged 40 to 73 in good cognitive health. It revealed that those who consume more than 500 milligrams of magnesium have a brain age one year younger than their actual age by the time they reach 55 as compared with someone who consumes 350 milligrams a day.
“Our study shows a 41% increase in magnesium intake could lead to less age-related brain shrinkage, which is associated with better cognitive function and lower risk of delayed onset of dementia later in life,” said Khawlah Alateeq, lead author and Ph.D. researcher from the ANU National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health.
“This research highlights the potential benefits of a diet high in magnesium and the role it plays in promoting good brain health.”
The Reality of Dementia
Experts predict that the number of people who are diagnosed with dementia worldwide will more than double from 57.4 million in 2019 to 152.8 in 2050. This would put a greater strain on the healthcare and social service industries globally.
“Since there is no cure for dementia and the development of pharmaceutical treatments has been unsuccessful for the past 30 years, it’s been suggested that greater attention should be directed towards prevention,” said co-study author Erin Walsh.
“Our research could inform the development of public health interventions aimed at promoting healthy brain aging through dietary strategies.”
Who Should Be Taking Magnesium When
Researchers say the sooner you start taking magnesium the better. Starting at a young age could protect against cognitive decline starting at age 40.
“The study shows higher dietary magnesium intake may contribute to neuroprotection earlier in the aging process and preventative effects may begin in our 40s or even earlier.
“This means people of all ages should be paying closer attention to their magnesium intake,” Alateeq went on to say.
She also explained how age and gender come into play.
“We also found the neuroprotective effects of more dietary magnesium appears to benefit women more than men and more so in post-menopausal than pre-menopausal women, although this may be due to the anti-inflammatory effect of magnesium.”
So what are you waiting for? Start adding more magnesium-rich food to your diet to enjoy the cognitive benefits it has to offer.
