Improve brain memory, Magnesium L-threonate has been approved as a new food by the EU!

In October 2024, the European Commission authorized AIDP's Magnesium L-threonate to be placed on the market as a novel food and amended Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2470. The authorization is limited to AIDP and its partner company and licensee ThreoTech. From November 7, 2024, they are the only party that can sell Magnesium L-threonate in the EU for a period of five years.

Magnesium L-threonate becomes a novel food

According to the announcement of the European Commission, the chemical name of AIDP's Magnesium L-threonate is Magnesium (2R,3S)-2,3,4-trihydroxybutyrate monohydrate, and its common name is Magnesium L-threonate. This novel food is produced by chemical synthesis method, its appearance is white powder, and the maximum consumption is 250 mg/day. The supplement is suitable for adults (excluding pregnant and lactating women).

The European Commission pointed out that magnesium L-threonate should be considered as a source of magnesium, which can bring more bioavailable options to magnesium supplements. The Food Safety Authority evaluated the safety of magnesium L-threonate novel foods based on rat bioavailability studies, in vitro bacterial recovery mutation tests, in vivo micronucleus tests, and randomized placebo-controlled human studies. The results showed that the safety and bioavailability of magnesium L-threonate as a source of magnesium when added to food supplements for nutritional purposes were recognized.

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Magnesium L-threonate, higher absorption and retention rate

Magnesium (Mg) is the second most abundant mineral in cells and a cofactor for more than 300 enzymatic reactions. Therefore, magnesium is also a nutrient necessary for many metabolic functions in the body. It plays an important role in cellular energy production, protein production, gene regulation, and the normal functioning of bones and teeth. Magnesium can not only activate the activities of various enzymes in the body, but also regulate nerve function, maintain the stability of nucleic acid structure, regulate body temperature, and affect human emotions. It is involved in almost all metabolic processes in the human body.

Magnesium is abundant in the food supply and is found in grains, cereals, and dark leafy foods, such as spinach and cabbage. The most common ingredients in magnesium supplements include magnesium glycinate, magnesium L-threonate, magnesium malate, magnesium taurine, magnesium oxide, magnesium chloride/lactate, magnesium citrate, and magnesium sulfate. Among them, magnesium L-threonate is a magnesium compound with high bioavailability.

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Source: pixabay

In 2010, scientists at MIT published an article in the journal Neuron reporting that they had discovered a magnesium compound called Magtein ® that can effectively deliver magnesium to brain cells. Studies have shown that magnesium L-threonate has a higher absorption rate and higher retention rate than other magnesium sources (such as chloride, citrate, glycinate, and gluconate).

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Effects of Magnesium L-Threonate

As a new bioavailable magnesium compound, magnesium L-threonate has become increasingly well-known for its potential to improve cognitive function and enhance memory. Numerous studies have shown that magnesium L-threonate can effectively transport magnesium to neuronal cells across the blood-brain barrier, thereby enhancing neuroplasticity, improving memory and cognition, and reducing anxiety and stress.

Enhancing memory: In a rodent model, Slutsky et al. reported that after one month of supplementation with magnesium L-threonate, magnesium concentrations in the brains of young and old rats increased, and memory and learning abilities were significantly improved. Magnesium L-threonate also improved memory recovery in old rats. Supplementation with magnesium L-threonate did not affect body weight, exercise capacity, or water and food intake. The mechanism of action of magnesium L-threonate on cognitive function may be through activation of NMDA receptors, thereby increasing synaptic density and improving memory.

Another experiment found that long-term oral administration of magnesium L-threonate was able to prevent and restore short-term memory (STM) and long-term potentiation (LTP) deficits in hippocampal CA3-CA1 synapses caused by neuronal injury (SNI). In addition, preventive long-term oral administration of magnesium L-threonate blocked the upregulation of TNF-α in the hippocampus, which has been shown to be critical for memory deficits. Oral administration of magnesium L-threonate may be a simple and effective way to improve memory deficits.

Improve sleep quality: Studies have found that after supplementing with magnesium L-threonate, the sleep quality of subjects improved, as did daytime mental clarity and physical activity. It is worth noting that the benefits of magnesium L-threonate on sleep are more about improving the quality of deep sleep and mental alertness when waking up, rather than helping people fall asleep faster.

Improve cognition: Hypoxia inhibits the entry of glutamate, a major brain neurotransmitter closely related to cognitive function, into brain cells, and the initial response of cells to cortical hypoxia depends on glutamate. Magnesium L-threonate can increase magnesium ion concentration in the brain and improve cognitive function. Studies have found that magnesium L-threonate can regulate the expression of glutamate transporter EAAT4, and has a positive effect on neuronal survival and reducing cerebral infarction after zebrafish hypoxia.
Related products of magnesium L-threonate

In daily diet, magnesium has always been an underestimated nutrient, but with the growing demand for nutritional supplements and functional foods, the market for magnesium and magnesium L-threonate has received more and more attention. At present, magnesium L-threonate is mainly used in capsules, ready-to-drink beverages, snack bars, soft candies and other products.

BESTVITE brand has launched a capsule containing magnesium L-threonate, which can easily cross the blood-brain barrier and protect brain health.

NATURAL STACKS lemonade contains magnesium L-threonate and magnesium glycinate, which is conducive to relaxation and brain health.

Life extension has launched a tropical flavored solid beverage of magnesium L-threonate, which can improve human cognition and memory.
Source: life extension europe

Magtein - Magnesium L-threonate Adult Soft Candy can cross the blood-brain barrier and play a role in strengthening the brain, replenishing attention, and enhancing memory and cognitive function. The longer you take it, the better the effect.

[1]https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32024R2694&qid=1733346877222
[2]https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9786204/
[3]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24077207/
[4]《SPINS Releases 2024 Trend Report | Which Health Categories Are Growing Fast? Which Functional Ingredients Have Potential?》
[5]https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11381753/#sec5