Published in the scientific journal Neuron, the study found that elevation of brain magnesium enhanced learning and memory rats, both young and old. Working memory, short term memory, and long-term memory were all improved.

Quick, run out and buy a magnesium supplement before you forget! Not so fast.

The study also found that current over-the-counter magnesium supplements don’t cross the blood-brain barrier, and are thus not beneficial in improving memory in humans.

There is a hope, though. The same researchers have developed a new compound that does cross the blood-brain barrier, which may one day become commercially available.

In the meantime, the researchers recommend that people continue to get their magnesium the old-fashioned way, through diet. Broccoli, leafy greens, almonds, cashews, and fruit all contain high levels of magnesium, and eating them should help your memory improve.

“With this persistent change in diet, memory should improve, and the effects of dementia and other cognitive impairment diseases related to aging may be considerably delayed.”

As a vegetarian, I probably get more than my fair share of veggies, nuts, and fruits. But as I grow older, I realize that I need all the help I can get in keeping my mind sharp.

So I will definitely be keeping an eye out for this supplement, should it ever hit the shelves.

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