Have you ever heard the saying, “The key to a healthy life is a healthy mind”? It means that taking care of the brain is just as important as taking care of the heart and other major organs.
One of the best ways to improve both mental and physical health is through supplementing with magnesium. In fact, it’s so vital to the body that it’s been dubbed the “Master Mineral.”
Magnesium has many benefits including improved muscle and nerve function, enhanced energy production, and blood pressure regulation. However, these benefits become much more interesting when magnesium is bound to another molecule.
This is where magnesium L-threonate, or Magtein, comes into play. In this article, you’ll learn exactly why it’s considered the gold standard among magnesium supplements and how it can benefit your health.
What Is Magtein?
Magtein, also referred to as magnesium L-threonate, is a patented combination of magnesium and a vitamin C compound called threonic acid developed by a group of MIT researchers. All other forms of magnesium, such as chloride, citrate, sulfate, or oxide, have their advantages, however, Magtein is the only form proven by clinical trials to effectively cross the blood-brain barrier and increase magnesium levels in the brain, which is critical for improving cognitive function.
Magtein is a relatively new type of magnesium that has been included in various supplements due to its ability to reduce anxiety, improve sleep quality, lift mood, and improve focus and concentration. This is why it is considered a nootropic and it has been studied recently for use in patients with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of cognitive decline.
Magtein Vs. Magnesium: Are They The Same?
Comparing Magtein and magnesium is like comparing milk with yogurt – Magtein is basically magnesium combined with threonic acid.
Both forms of this mineral are equally essential for one’s health, but each has a distinct advantage, with Magtein specifically being the best form for increasing the brain’s magnesium levels and mitigating the occurrence of prevalent diseases.
Magtein Benefits – What Research Shows
Magtein is known to have a plethora of benefits. However, it is best known for its role in brain health and in treating cognitive illnesses such as anxiety and memory loss.
Below are some of the most notable benefits of Magtein supported by research.
Improved Cognitive Function and Reduced Brain Age
In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled human study conducted in 2016, researchers investigated the effect of Magtein supplementation on four aspects of cognitive ability in Alzheimer’s disease patients. These aspects include working memory, episodic memory, attention, and executive function are examples of these characteristics. Participants in the study were older adults (aged 50 to 70) who were given magnesium L-threonate for 12 weeks.
The researchers concluded that all participants performed significantly better in all four cognitive areas. They also discovered that Magtein supplementation significantly reduced the participants’ brain age. According to standard tests, the seniors’ brains functioned as if they were 9.4 years younger when the study began.
Enhanced Learning and Memory
Magnesium levels tend to decline as we age, affecting our learning and memory. However, one study found that increasing brain magnesium with a newly developed magnesium compound (magnesium-L-threonate, MgT) improved learning abilities, working memory, and short and long-term memory in rats.
According to the study, Magtein-treated rats had a higher density of synaptophysin-/synaptobrevin-positive puncta in the DG (dentate gyrus) and CA1 subregions of the hippocampus, which were associated with memory improvement. The researchers concluded that Magtein could help with learning and memory.
Another study published in the journal Neuropharmacology looked at how Magtein supplementation affected young rats’ learning, recall, and other mental functions. They discovered that taking Magtein L-threonate daily accelerated learning new skills and restored cognitive abilities that had declined in older people.
The study’s authors also concluded that magnesium levels in the brain were higher in rats given Magtein than in subjects who either did not receive magnesium supplementation or were given a different type. They claimed that Magtein could cross the blood-brain and blood-CSF barriers because it effectively transports minerals to brain neurons.
Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease takes time to develop, but it can worsen quickly once it does. It primarily affects the brain, causing walking, balance, and coordination problems. People with this disorder experience constant shaking and stiffness which impairs visible body movement.
In a 2019 study using mouse models of Parkinson’s disease, researchers found that magnesium L-threonate successfully raised magnesium levels in cerebrospinal fluid and protected against motor deficits and dopamine neuron loss.
The researchers orally administered Magtein and magnesium sulfate for separate groups. In the third week, the mice received MPTP, a prodrug that causes permanent symptoms of Parkinson’s disease by destroying the dopaminergic neurons.
Interestingly, mice given Magtein instead of magnesium sulfate had higher magnesium levels in their cerebrospinal fluid. Researchers concluded that Magtein treatment increases magnesium levels in cerebrospinal fluid and significantly reduces MPTP-induced motor deficits and dopamine neuron loss caused by Parkinson’s disease.
Reduced Stress and Anxiety
Researchers also discovered promising results for using magnesium L-threonate to reduce stress and anxiety. In a study conducted by Tsinghua University, researchers found that participants experienced significant reductions in anxiety when performing cognitive tasks and had greater mental clarity.
In another study in 2013, researchers looked at the effects of increased brain magnesium on emotional control. They discovered that Magtein could reduce anxiety-like behavior in young and old rats. They concluded that Magtein treatment improves the retention and extinction of fear memory without impairing or erasing amygdala-dependent fear memory.
Magtein Side Effects – What To Watch Out For
Exceeding a certain concentration for medications or nutrients can be harmful to the body – that is why there is a recommended daily intake. Similarly, excessive Magtein consumption can result in side effects such as abdominal cramps, nausea, and diarrhea.
Taking more than the maximum daily limit of 5,000 mg can result in magnesium poisoning or toxicity. It usually results in critical acute and chronic health effects such as:
- Paralysis
- Lethargy
- Heart problems
- Respiratory paralysis
- Hypotension
- Circulatory collapse
- Asystole
- Hypocalcemia
Magtein Dosage For Different Use Cases
Magtein currently has no specific daily recommended dosage, as long as it does not exceed or come close to the 5,000 mg limit. The amount of magnesium that should be consumed daily varies depending on gender, and it is recommended for men over the age of 31 to take 420mg, while women in this age range should take 320 mg.
According to most Magtein manufacturers, there is only 144 mg of Magnesium for every 2,000mg of Magtein. They usually market their supplements with a daily dosage of around 1,500 to 2,000mg of Magtein so that you can take these supplements twice a day.
Still, it’s always best to seek the advice of a medical expert to assess the recommended dosage for your condition, ensuring you receive more benefits than adverse side effects.
Does Magtein Work?
Different studies and reviews show the efficacy of Magtein as a cognitive enhancing supplement that enhances learning and memory and can tackle various illnesses. Its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier effectively makes it the top choice for brain health and overall wellness.
Of course, you need to take the recommended daily dosage of 1,500 to 2,000 mg per day and not exceed 5,000 mg to avoid serious health complications.
Remember, Magtein won’t work in a day or after a week. It could take several weeks or months, so be sure to use it consistently!
Magtein Review
There are many magnesium supplements available on the market, each claiming to provide numerous health benefits. But, the best magnesium supplements on the market contain only the best and most potent form of magnesium L-threonate.
If you are looking for a Magtein supplement but do not know where to begin, look no further. We have reviewed the six best magnesium L-threonate supplements in our article here.
Editor’s note: we are regularly updating this review. If you see any problems, weird interpretations of the data, or just want to say hi, please reach out to hello@the-unwinder.com.
