Research continues at various international medical centers in an effort to find a treatment for Alzheimer's disease or at least to slow its progression. A new Australian study has shown that brain health can be improved by increasing magnesium intake. Researchers recommend focusing on diet, as it can play a significant role in this regard.
In the new study conducted by the Australian National University, it was found that increasing daily magnesium intake can help reduce the risk of dementia, which leads to a severe decline in mental abilities, significantly affecting daily life. Memory loss is one of the indicators that emerge following the onset of dementia, with Alzheimer's disease being one of the most common forms of dementia.
The study involved 6,000 participants who were cognitively healthy, aged between 40 and 73 years. Researchers found that individuals who consumed more than 550 mg of magnesium enjoyed one additional year of brain health by the age of 55 compared to those with lower intake levels. The study thus indicates that an increase of 41% in magnesium intake could help mitigate brain atrophy and aging, contributing to improved cognitive abilities and reducing the risk of developing dementia later in life. This highlights the importance of focusing on a magnesium-rich diet, given its role in enhancing brain health, starting from an early age. Notably, the benefits were found to be greater among women compared to men.
The daily requirement for magnesium is 6 mg per kilogram of body weight. However, needs may increase due to various health-related factors; for instance, adolescents may require higher amounts for their rapid growth, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women.
What are the most important sources of magnesium?
- Spinach
- Walnuts
- Dark chocolate
- Fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, and sardines
- Whole grains like brown rice and quinoa, which contain much higher levels of magnesium compared to processed sources
- Bananas, which are considered the fruit with the highest amount of magnesium among various types of fruit.
