Your brain is hungry for this critical mineral — feed it now!

Maybe you know it’s good for your bones and helps calm your muscles, but no part of your body needs magnesium more than your brain.

In fact, it may be the most important nutrient to keep your brain sharp.

You see, when you have good magnesium levels in your hippocampus (the part of your brain that manages long-term and short-term memory), neurons aren’t able to incorporate aluminum, and that lowers dementia and Alzheimer’s risk.

Unfortunately, new research from Italy reveals that high blood levels of magnesium don’t accurately reflect the amount of magnesium in your brain and other areas of your body. Also unfortunately…magnesium deficiency is pretty common.

High stress takes its toll on magnesium levels, while starches, alcohol, diuretics and some prescription drugs (such as antibiotics) can increase urinary excretion of magnesium. (Women also lose magnesium during menstruation.)

Leafy green vegetables, avocados, nuts, and whole grains are the best dietary sources of this critical mineral. But it’s still hard to get enough in your diet.

Dr. Spreen recommends 500 mg of magnesium daily to help heart muscles relax, maintain normal insulin levels, reduce blood pressure, promote good bone health, and (of course) support healthy cognitive function.

Sources:
“Altered ionized magnesium levels in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease” Magnesium Research, Vol. 24, No. 3, September 2011, jle.com