Magnesium & Brain Health

What is the connection between magnesium and Brain Health?
Studies have confirmed that better magnesium levels help protect brain tissue from the damage that can be caused by any head trauma. Magnesium acts as a natural calcium channel blocker, which makes it a principle nutrient for helping to control blood pressure. In the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) study, researchers found that people who took in enough magnesium while on a calorie-controlled diet were able to lower their blood pressure. And this same calcium channel blocking effect plays a role in protecting the brain. The brain operates on a balance between “excitatory” and “inhibitory” activity. A neurotransmitter called glutamate is the primary trigger for the excitatory activity. When brain cells are activated by glutamate, calcium ions rush in. This is fine as long as the excitation is kept under reasonable control. But too much calcium entering the cells can be deadly to brain tissue. That’s where the calcium channel blocking effect of magnesium comes in.
Dr. George Grant, Ph.D., I.M.D.