Dietary Magnesium Intake Is Related to Larger Brain Volumes and Lower White Matter Lesions with Notable Sex Differences European Journal of Nutrition
August 2023; Vol. 62; No. 5; pp. 2039-2051 Khawlah Alateeq, Erin I. Walsh, Nicolas Cherbuin
THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROSPECTIVE STUDY WAS TO EXAMINE THE ASSOCIATION between dietary magnesium (Mg) intake and brain volumes and white matter lesions in middle to early old age. The 6,001 study participants were aged 40 to 73 years. Brain volumes were assessed with a 3T MRI. This was the first study to use neuroimaging and structural brain measures in humans to examine the effect of dietary Mg intake.
“The global prevalence of dementia is expected to rise dramatically from 57.4 million in 2019 to 152.8 million in 2050.”
“Since there is no cure for dementia and the development of pharmacological treatment for dementia has been unsuccessful over the last 30 years, it has been suggested that greater attention should be directed toward prevention.”
Higher baseline dietary Mg intake was associated with larger brain volumes in both men and women.
Every 1 mg higher in baseline Mg above 350 mg/day was associated with larger gray matter and fewer white matter lesions.
“Higher dietary Mg intake was related to larger brain volumes and lower white matter lesions in a variety of brain re-
gions.”
“There is considerable evidence that Mg levels are related to better cardiovascular health, and Mg supplementation has been found to decrease blood pressure, likely through its calcium antagonist action on smooth muscle tone, thus causing vasorelaxation.”
“A decrease in Mg levels, and hence decreasing neuroprotective effects, would be associated with lower brain volumes.”
“Dietary Mg was associated with larger brain volumes and lower white matter lesions, indicating better brain health.”
“Higher baseline Mg levels were strongly associated with larger brain volumes.”
“A 41% increase in Mg intake may lead to significantly better brain health, which would also be expected to contribute to greater preservation of cognitive ability, and lower risk or delayed onset of dementia in later life.”
“It is noteworthy that the seemingly neuroprotective effect of Mg was substantial.”
“Dietary Mg intake may contribute to neuroprotection earlier in the aging process and that preventative effects may begin in the 40s or even before.”
Higher levels of middle-age dietary Mg intake may reduce the development of dementia 17 to 20 years later.
“This study provides new evidence that higher dietary Mg intake is related to better brain health in the general population.”
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1. Alateeq K, Walsh EI, Cherbuin N. Dietary magnesium intake is related to larger brain volumes and lower white matter lesions with notable sex differences. Eur J Nutr. 2023 Aug;62(5):2039-2051. doi: 10.1007/ s00394-023-03123-x. Epub 2023 Mar 10. PMID: 36899275; PMCID: PMC 10349698.
