Have you ever felt so unfocused or inattentive that you had to sit for hours on end just to get things done?
When we don’t get the right nutrients, such as the essential mineral magnesium, our bodies have trouble performing at their best.
Magnesium is involved in over 300 of your body’s daily processes involving your heart, muscles, nerves, bones, digestion and sleep. Believe it or not, that is only a few examples of the wonderous support this mineral has to offer!
But did you know that magnesium, apart from being key to preventing stress and promoting sleep, is vitally important for proper cognitive functions and mental clarity?
That is why today, we’re going to take some time to dive into exactly what magnesium is, how it can help with your cognitive abilities, how you can prioritize its consumption and absorption and why it’s called the Master Mineral.
So let’s get started!
What is magnesium and what does it do for the body?
Magnesium is a key mineral that supports the proper functioning of our bodies. It helps maintain optimal health and, as one of the most common minerals, it plays a critical role in hundreds of metabolic activities [1].
This incredible nutrient is also in charge of many physiological processes that keep your body healthy, including your heart and your brain.
For example, magnesium helps the body generate and store energy, regulate muscle contractions, ensure blood oxygen-carrying capacity and support the body’s ability to absorb iron. And as if that wasn’t enough already, magnesium can also support functions of the heart, blood pressure, and muscle regulation.
It truly is the Master Mineral!
Magnesium and Cognitive Function
Our brains need magnesium for all types of activities, including cognitive function, stress management, mood, and even our sleep-wake cycle.
On the other hand, a magnesium deficiency can lead to fatigue, confusion, irritability, anxiety, and depression, among other issues.*
Recent studies have shown that magnesium is the gatekeeper of a receptor found on your nerve cells that literally helps your brain grow, remember, and learn [2].
This is why supplementing with magnesium is so beneficial for enhancing overall cognitive function* But what exactly do these functions entail?
Well, we call “cognitive functions” mental abilities such as learning, recollecting information, organizing, planning and solving problems.
However, there’s so much more to cognitive functioning as it also allows us to focus, maintain and distribute attention, understand language, recognize our environment, and think logically.
What if we don’t consume enough Magnesium?
When magnesium levels are low, we are at risk of developing diseases such as depression, anxiety, and even Alzheimer’s disease [3].
In fact, magnesium is so important for our brain that people with Attention Deficit Disorder are advised to supplement with magnesium as it naturally supports the body’s mechanisms in dealing with inattentiveness, sleeplessness, stress, and anxiety.
But magnesium doesn’t work alone. It’s necessary to help the body convert vitamin D, which can help reduce the risk of nerve damage and increase your brain’s ability to reorganize and learn[4].
No wonder why magnesium deficiency has been linked to several neurological disorders, including cognitive dysfunction.
And here’s where it gets even better!
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have recently discovered that magnesium can improve both short- and long-term memory as well as reduce the likelihood of memory loss as we age [5].*
Sources of Magnesium
Magnesium, the master mineral, can be found in a variety of foods, including meats, whole grains, and leafy green vegetables [6]. But, sometimes it can be hard to receive enough magnesium from food alone, which is why magnesium supplements are so popular among people who want to boost their brain function.
That is why we have created our new Liposomal Magnesium, which contains Magnesium L-threonate, a highly bioavailable form of magnesium capable of passing through the blood-brain barrier to optimize brain magnesium levels.
Our new formula is uniquely designed for optimal brain clarity and perfect for those who are concerned with memory, focus, and mood.*
But still, you should never neglect your diet – we can’t deny that adding a variety of magnesium-rich foods won’t help.
So, here are a few foods you can load up on to increase your magnesium intake[7]:
- Avocados.
- Yogurt and other dairy products.
- Salmon.
- Pumpkin, sesame, and sunflower seeds.
- Unsweetened dark chocolate.
- Parsley.
- Mustard seeds.
- Almonds, chestnuts, and walnuts.
- Spinach.
- Lentils and chickpeas.
- Raisins and dried plums.
- Green peas.
Wrapping things up
We live in a society with so many demands and distractions that sometimes it seems difficult to maintain focus and keep up with our daily tasks.
And while the complexity of today’s world makes us more susceptible to anxiety, stress, inattentiveness, and low productivity, supplementing with magnesium can help promote mental clarity and focus.
And remember, a poor diet and lack of regular exercise also contributes to many of the health problems many experience.
So, let’s make small, positive changes that add up and aim to take better care of ourselves in 2024!
FAQ
Magnesium is called the “Master Mineral” because it is involved in over 300 bodily processes, including heart function, muscle regulation, nerve function, bone health, digestion, and sleep. Its extensive role in maintaining overall health highlights its importance.
Magnesium is essential for proper cognitive function and mental clarity as it helps regulate nerve signals, manage stress, and maintain mood stability. It also supports the brain’s ability to learn, remember, and grow by acting as a gatekeeper for crucial receptors on nerve cells.
Magnesium deficiency can lead to fatigue, confusion, irritability, anxiety, depression, and cognitive issues. Severe deficiencies are associated with a higher risk of neurological disorders like depression, anxiety, and Alzheimer’s disease.
Magnesium-rich foods include avocados, yogurt, salmon, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, dark chocolate, parsley, mustard seeds, almonds, walnuts, spinach, lentils, chickpeas, raisins, dried plums, and green peas. You can also find a high quality Magnesium supplement to support your dietary needs.
Yes, magnesium supplements, particularly those containing Magnesium L-threonate, can help improve both short- and long-term memory, enhance focus, and reduce the likelihood of memory loss with aging by optimizing brain magnesium levels.
Magnesium helps the body convert vitamin D into its active form, which is crucial for reducing the risk of nerve damage and enhancing the brain’s ability to reorganize and learn. This synergistic relationship further underscores the importance of maintaining adequate magnesium levels.
Sources:
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/286839
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22034391/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6024559/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29480918/#:~:text=Magnesium%20assists%20in%20the%20activation,in%20the%20liver%20and%20kidneys.
- https://news.mit.edu/2004/magnesium
- https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/#:~:text=Magnesium%20is%20widely%20distributed%20in,cereals%20and%20other%20fortified%20foods.
- https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/#h4
