Scientists have discovered how magnesium consumption can help keep your brain healthy as it ages. It may reduce one's risk of developing dementia and lessen age-related brain shrinkage.
How to Keep Your Brain Healthy: Higher Magnesium Consumption
According to SciTechDaily, the study covered over 6,000 participants in the UK who had healthy cognition and whose ages ranged from 40 to 73 years old. They discovered that those who consumed over 550 mg of magnesium daily had a younger brain age, by around a year, when they reached 55 years old. This was in comparison to someone who regularly took 350 mg each day.
The study was conducted by scientists from the Australian National University's Neuroimaging and Brain Lab. Their findings were published in the European Journal of Nutrition.
Khawlah Alateeq, the study's lead author and a Ph.D. researcher from the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health at the ANU, says that their study demonstrates that a 41% higher magnesium consumption may lessen age-related brain shrinkage, which is also linked to enhanced cognitive capacities and reduced risk or later onset of dementia in one's later life.
The researchers note that higher magnesium consumption starting at a younger age may protect individuals against cognitive decline and neurodegenerative disease during their 40s.
The study stresses how a magnesium-rich diet, which may include foods such as nuts and spinach, could lead to great benefits and may foster good brain health. Ms. Alateeq also says that the study reveals that higher dietary magnesium consumption may aid neuroprotection during earlier parts of the aging process. Individuals may also experience the preventive effects during their 40s or even before.
They also discovered that the neuroprotection offered by dietary magnesium benefits women more than men. This is more so among post-menopausal women compared to pre-menopausal women. This may also be because of magnesium's anti-inflammatory properties.
Such findings mean that individuals of all ages should pay attention to magnesium consumption.
Dementia
Dementia is the seventh-biggest global killer. According to the World Health Organization, over 55 million individuals worldwide are dealing with dementia. Each year, there are almost 10 million new dementia cases.
The condition results from various injuries and diseases that affect the brain. While dementia may come in many forms, Alzheimer's disease is the most common. It contributes to roughly 60% to 70% of dementia cases.
Dr. Erin Walsh, a study co-author from the ANU, notes that because dementia does not have a cure and pharmaceutical treatment development has remained unsuccessful for the past three decades, more attention should be given to preventing the condition. Dr. Walsh notes that their research can help improve public health through developments that target healthy brain aging through diet.
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