What is Magnesium L-Threonate?
Magnesium L-Threonate, or MgT, commonly abbreviated, is another form of magnesium bonded to the metabolite of vitamin C, L-threonic acid. Due to its high bioavailability, the body readily absorbs and uses it. It’s a nutritional supplement that supports cognitive enhancement and neuroprotection from neurodegenerative disorders.
What does Magnesium L-Threonate do?
Magnesium L-Threonate has diverse positive effects on brain health and function. In a study on rats, Magnesium L-Threonate increased learning and memory in young rats, and supported healthy memory function in old and Alzheimer’s disease model mice [1]. Importantly, it led to a lasting increase in brain magnesium levels, where magnesium helps control neuronal synapse density – a critical determinant of cognitive ability [1].
Interestingly, Magnesium L-Threonate was also found to have a neuroprotective effect in the case of moderate oxidative stress damage, which is associated with the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative disorders, most notably Alzheimer’s disease [2]. It has also been observed that the microbiota-gut-brain axis can indeed be modulated – a factor that could contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s disease [3].
Furthermore, Magnesium L-Threonate has been shown to alleviate colonic inflammation and memory impairment in chronic-plus-binge alcohol-feeding mice model, suggesting its potential use as a food supplement to prevent inflammation and memory impairment induced by alcohol abuse [4].
In human clinical trials, Magnesium L-Threonate has significantly improved memory and cognition in healthy adults [5].
Benefits of Magnesium L-Threonate
Magnesium L-Threonate has been shown to have several benefits, particularly about cognitive function and brain health.
Improved learning and memory are a primary benefit of magnesium L-Threonate. Results revealed that when Magnesium L-Threonate is given orally, it enhances learning and memory in young rats and prevents memory decline in ageing rats and Alzheimer’s disease model mice [1].
One study, with 109 volunteers, all healthy Chinese adults aged 18 to 65, in a randomised double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, found that those in the placebo group did not show any significant change in any of the five subcategories of ‘The Clinical Memory Test’ or on overall memory quotient scores. At the same time, those receiving the Magnesium L-Threonate did [5].
Magnesium L-Threonate also alleviates colonic inflammation and memory impairment in chronic-plus-binge alcohol-feeding mice [4].
Magnesium L-Threonate is likewise safe to consume. The European Food Safety Authority Panel concluded that it is secure under the proposed conditions of use and is a bioavailable source of magnesium [6].
In conclusion, Magnesium L-Threonate has several benefits, particularly in enhancing cognitive abilities and brain health, and is safe for consumption.
Risk Factors of Magnesium L-Threonate
Magnesium L-Threonate is generally considered safe for consumption, but certain factors may increase the risk of adverse effects.
For instance, supplements of this type may contain oxalic acid, a known risk factor, at concentrations of up to 1%; thus, ingestion of an NF (novel food) form of magnesium L-Threonate available in certain countries would result in an additional exposure of up to 30 mg per day – which is not a safety problem [6].
Another modifiable factor is the dose and duration of magnesium L-Threonate administration; a hefty dose of magnesium oxide (a therapeutic magnesium compound analogous to magnesium L-Threonate) and a long duration of administration were both found to be independent risk factors for hypermagnesemia (an abnormally high level of magnesium in blood) [7].
For instance, hypermagnesemia is heightened in patients with impaired kidney function or blood urea nitrogen (representing how much waste is present in the blood and what the kidneys cannot eliminate) [7].
Moreover, patients with a high body mass index (BMI) might not reach the average serum magnesium concentrations after administration, which could lower the supplement's benefits [8].
Does Magnesium L-Threonate Inhibit Hair Loss?
In light of the evidence obtained from the currently available literature, we assume that Magnesium L-Threonate is probably capable of preventing hair loss. One possible mechanism involved in baldness is the presence of dickkopf-1 (DKK-1) – an inhibitor of Wnt signalling, which has been demonstrated to promote the degeneration of hair follicles [9].
DHT-evoked DKK-1 expression was also downregulated by supplementing with L-Threonate. In a co-culture system where ORS keratinocytes were cultured on top of dermal papilla cells (DPCs), ORS cell growth was inhibited upon treatment with DHT. Still, this DHT-induced growth decrease was significantly reversed by L-Threonate [9].
However, it's important to note that while these findings are promising, more research is needed to fully understand the potential of Magnesium L-Threonate in inhibiting hair loss.