Magnesium L-Threonate product comparison

Here is a side-by-side comparison of seven leading magnesium l-threonate supplements: Doctor’s Best Brain Magnesium, Jarrow MagMind Magnesium L-Threonate, Life Extension Neuro-Mag Magnesium L-Threonate, Swanson Magnesium L-Threonate, Source Naturals Magtein, Vitacost Magtein Magnesium L-Threonate, and Pure Encapsulations CogniMag.

FORMS OF MAGNESIUM SUPPLEMENTS: Magnesium supplements come in a variety of forms, such as magnesium glycinate, a chelated form of magnesium that tends to provide the highest levels of absorption and bioavailability and is typically considered ideal for those who are trying to correct a deficiency; magnesium citrate, which is a magnesium with citric acid, and has laxative properties; magnesium oxide, which is a non-chelated type of magnesium, that has stool softening properties; and Magnesium L-Threonate, which is a newer, emerging form of magnesium supplement that appears to have promising cognitive benefits. The purpose of this review is to concentrate on Magnesium L-Threonate, better known as “MgT.”

MAGNESIUM L-THREONATE OVERVIEW: In addition to support for cardiovascular and bone health, energy, metabolism, and mood, provided by elemental magnesium, researchers are now focusing on magnesium’s benefits for cognitive function. Magnesium has long been known as a key nutrient for optimal brain function. More recently, scientists have found it specifically promotes learning and memory as a result of its beneficial effect on synaptic plasticity and density.

The neurodegenerative processes involved in memory loss result from deterioration of connectivity between brain cells but are not a natural function of aging. Memory loss is now known to be associated with a loss of synaptic density and plasticity in the brain. Low magnesium levels may contribute to such losses.

Unfortunately, it is very hard for your body to maintain optimal levels of magnesium in the brain. This problem is of special concern for maturing individuals, as magnesium deficiency increases over time. Most magnesium supplements are not readily absorbed into the nervous system. Until recently, no widely available forms of magnesium met the criteria needed for rapid absorption and efficient transfer into the central nervous system.

However, an innovative team of researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (“MIT”) recently found a way to surmount this obstacle. They formulated a new magnesium compound called Magnesium-L-Threonate (MgT).

MgT boosts brain magnesium levels better than standard supplements. Studies reveal that MgT produces dramatic increases in synaptic density and plasticity, resulting in similar improvements in memory function itself.

MgT is now thought to be effective in several areas:

Improvement in Spatial Short-Term Memory. Spatial working memory is an essential memory function, helping you remember where things are and where you are in relation to the world over the short term. It is working memory that enables you to find your car keys as you head out the door or return to the correct page in the magazine you were reading a few minutes ago.

Enhanced Spatial Long-Term Memory. Long-term spatial memory is crucial for older individuals. It’s how you remember where you live or how to get to the grocery store. Loss of spatial long-term memory is one of the main reasons that older people with dementia get lost running even simple errands.

Better Recall. One critical memory function is the ability to bring up an important memory based on only partial information, a function called pattern completion. You use pattern completion memory to find your way around a familiar neighborhood after dark or following a heavy snowstorm. In both cases, some familiar cues are gone, but a healthy brain will fill in the missing details by completing a recognizable pattern.

The MIT team is rapidly putting in place two human studies of MgT on memory function, with results expected in the near future. Meanwhile, they have recently discovered several new roles for MgT in managing memory, in this case unwanted memories of the kind associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (“PTSD”). As a Vietnam vet, and one who is very familiar with the effects of PTSD, I am following this development closely.

The suggested daily dose of MgT is 2,000 mgs per serving (a “serving” is usually two or three pills). While this supplies only 144 mg of elemental magnesium per serving, its superior absorption into the bloodstream and nervous system make it a preferred choice for aging humans to supplement with.

BREAKDOWN: Here is a breakdown of these products.

Doctor’s Best Brain Magnesium (See, Doctor’s Best Brain Magnesium Vegetarian Capsules, 60 Count)
*****
Form: Magnesium L-Threonate
Water soluble
Not certified Kosher or Halal
$24.32 for 60 capsules on Amazon
Recommended Serving: two capsules per day
Price per capsule: $.41 (using Amazon’s price)
Price per 100 mgs MgT = $.04 (using Amazon’s price)
One capsule contains a total of:
1042 mgs of Magnesium L-Threonate, including
75 mgs of elemental magnesium
No soy
No GMOs
No stearates
No cholesterol
Chelated
Vegetarian
Not enteric coated
Phone Number: (800) 333-6977
Manufactured in the U.S.A.
Ingredients: Magnesium (as Magnesium L-Threonate) and modified cellulose (vegetarian capsule)

Jarrow MagMind Magnesium L-Threonate (See, Jarrow Formulas Magmind Nutritional Supplement, 90 Count)
*****
Form: Magnesium L-Threonate
Water soluble
Not certified Kosher or Halal
$23.67 for 90 capsules on Amazon
Recommended Serving: three capsules per day
Price per capsule: $.26 (using Amazon’s price)
Price per 100 mgs MgT = $.04 (using Amazon’s price)
One capsule contains a total of:
667 mgs of Magnesium L-Threonate, including
48 mgs of elemental magnesium
No soy
No GMOs
Contains stearates
No cholesterol
Chelated
Vegetarian
Not enteric coated
Phone Number: (310) 204-6936
Manufactured in the U.S.A.
Ingredients: Magnesium (as Magnesium L-Threonate), cellulose, magnesium stearate (vegetable source), and silicon dioxide, capsule consists of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose

Life Extension Neuro-Mag Magnesium L-Threonate (See, Life Extension Neuro-Mag Magnesium L-Threonate 90 Vegetarian Capsules)
*****
Form: Magnesium L-Threonate
Water soluble
Not certified Kosher or Halal
$24.55 for 90 capsules on Amazon
Recommended Serving: three capsules per day
Price per capsule: $.27 (using Amazon’s price)
Price per 100 mgs MgT = $.04 (using Amazon’s price)
One capsule contains a total of:
667 mgs of Magnesium L-Threonate, including
48 mgs of elemental magnesium
No soy
No GMOs
Contains stearates
No cholesterol
Not chelated
Vegetarian
Not enteric coated
Phone Number: (800) 226-2370
Manufactured in the U.S.A.
Ingredients: Magnesium (as Magnesium L-Threonate), vegetable cellulose (capsule), microcrystalline cellulose, vegetable stearate, and silica

Swanson Magnesium L-Threonate (See, Magnesium L-Threonate 90 Veg Caps by Swanson Ultra)
*****
Form: Magnesium L-Threonate
Water soluble
Not certified Kosher or Halal
$27.99 for 90 capsules on Amazon
Recommended Serving: three capsules per day
Price per capsule: $.31 (using Amazon’s price)
Price per 100 mgs MgT = $.05 (using Amazon’s price)
One capsule contains a total of:
670 mgs of Magnesium L-Threonate, including
48 mgs of elemental magnesium
No soy
No GMOs
Contains stearates
No cholesterol
Chelated
Vegetarian
Not enteric coated
Phone Number: (800) 824-4491
Manufactured in the U.S.A.
Ingredients: Magnesium (as Magnesium L-Threonate), cellulose (vegetable capsule), brown rice flour, magnesium stearate, and silica

Source Naturals Magtein (See, Magtein 90 Capsules)
*****
Form: Magnesium L-Threonate
Water soluble
Not certified Kosher or Halal
$23.00 for 90 capsules on Amazon
Recommended Serving: three capsules per day
Price per capsule: $.26 (using Amazon’s price)
Price per 100 mgs MgT = $.04 (using Amazon’s price)
One capsule contains a total of:
667 mgs of Magnesium L-Threonate, including
48 mgs of elemental magnesium
No soy
No GMOs
Contains stearates
No cholesterol
Chelated
Not vegetarian
Not enteric coated
Phone Number: (800) 777-5677
Manufactured in the U.S.A.
Ingredients: Magnesium (as Magnesium L-Threonate), gelatin (capsule), silica, and magnesium stearate

Vitacost Magtein Magnesium L-Threonate (See, Vitacost Magtein Magnesium L-Threonate — 2000 mg – 90 Vegetarian Capsules))
*****
Form: Magnesium L-Threonate
Water soluble
Not certified Kosher or Halal
$54.99 for 90 capsules on Amazon
Recommended Serving: three capsules per day
Price per capsule: $.61 (using Amazon’s price)
Price per 100 mgs MgT = $.09 (using Amazon’s price)
One capsule contains a total of:
667 mgs of Magnesium L-Threonate, including
48 mgs of elemental magnesium
No soy
No GMOs
Contains stearates
No cholesterol
Not chelated
Vegetarian
Not enteric coated
Phone Number: (800) 381-0759
Manufactured in the U.S.A.
Ingredients: Magnesium (as Magnesium L-Threonate), cellulose (capsule), rice flour, and magnesium stearate (vegetable source)

Pure Encapsulations CogniMag (See, Pure Encapsulations CogniMag (See, Pure Encapsulations – CogniMag 120 Count))
*****
Form: Magnesium L-Threonate
Water soluble
Not certified Kosher or Halal
$58.40 for 120 capsules on Amazon
Recommended Serving: two capsules per day
Price per capsule: $.48 (using Amazon’s price)
Price per 100 mgs MgT = $.10 (using Amazon’s price)
One capsule contains a total of:
500 mgs of Magnesium L-Threonate, including
36 mgs of elemental magnesium
No soy
No GMOs
No stearates
No cholesterol
Chelated
Vegetarian
Not enteric coated
Phone Number: (800) 753-2277
Manufactured in the U.S.A.
Ingredients: Magnesium (as Magnesium L-Threonate), providing wild blueberry extract (fruit), orléans strawberry extract (fruit), spinach extract (leaf), and ascorbyl palmitate

PRICE PER PILL: Vitacost Magtein Magnesium L-Threonate ($.61 per capsule) is the most expensive per pill of those in the comparison; followed by Pure Encapsulations CogniMag ($.49 per capsule); followed by Doctor’s Best Brain Magnesium ($.41 per capsule); followed by Swanson Magnesium L-Threonate ($.31 per capsule); followed by Life Extension Neuro-Mag Magnesium L-Threonate ($.27 per capsule); followed by Jarrow MagMind Magnesium L-Threonate ($.26 per capsule) and Source Naturals Magtein ($.26 per capsule), which are the least expensive per pill of those in the comparison.

However, Doctor’s Best Brain Magnesium contains considerably more MgT per pill than the others, so in order to determine the least expensive product, we need to turn to the “price per 100 MgT of MgT.” When we do, it appears that Source Naturals Magtein, overall, is the least expensive of those in the comparison. See, below.

PRICE PER 100 MGS OF MGT: Pure Encapsulations CogniMag ($.10 per 100 mgs MgT) is the most expensive per 100 mgs of MgT of those in the comparison; followed by Vitacost Magtein Magnesium L-Threonate ($.09 per 100 mgs MgT); followed by Swanson Magnesium L-Threonate ($.05 per 100 mgs MgT); and followed by Doctor’s Best Brain Magnesium ($.04 per 100 mgs MgT), Jarrow MagMind Magnesium L-Threonate ($.04 per 100 mgs MgT), Life Extension Neuro-Mag Magnesium L-Threonate ($.04 per 100 mgs MgT), and Source Naturals Magtein (.04 per 100 mgs MgT), which are the least expensive per 100 mgs of MgT of those in the comparison.

SOY/GMO/CHOLESTEROL CONTENT: None of these products contain soy, GMOs, or cholesterol.

STEARATES: All of these products contain magnesium stearate with the exception of Doctor’s Best Best Brain Magnesium and Pure Encapsulations CogniMag.

ASCORBYL PALMITATE: Only Pure Encapsulations CogniMag contains ascorbyl palmitate.

KOSHER: None of these products is certified Kosher or Halal.

VEGETARIAN: All of these products are vegetarian, except Source Naturals Magtein.

CHELATED: All of these products are chelated, except Life Extension Neuro-Mag Magnesium L-Threonate and Vitacost Magtein Magnesium L-Threonate. A chelated form of magnesium l-threonate tends to provide the highest levels of absorption and bioavailability.

MEALS: Magnesium supplements are best taken with a meal containing some fat, as they are more efficiently absorbed when taken with food.

OPINION: In my opinion, all of these magnesium supplements are excellent. It’s a matter of personal preference. Price should be an important consideration. I believe additional human research is needed for MgT before the impressive product claims are substantiated.

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