Magnesium threonate is a form of the essential mineral magnesium. The body needs magnesium for a variety of functions, including protein synthesis, glucose control, and nerve function.

Evidence suggests that if intake or circulating levels of magnesium are high, a person may benefit from a reduced risk of dementia and other age-related diseases. This may be due to the importance of magnesium to the brain and nerves.

This article looks at magnesium threonate, its benefits, and possible side effects. It also explores the importance of magnesium in the body and the symptoms an individual may experience from a magnesium deficiency.
Magnesium threonate or magnesium L-threonate is a synthetic form of magnesium. Chemically, it is the salt formed when the manufacturer combines magnesium with threonic acid. This acid is a product of the metabolic breakdown of vitamin C.

Magnesium threonate is readily absorbed by the body. Some animal studies have found that magnesium threonate is more effective than magnesium sulfate at increasing magnesium ions in the brain and improving cognitive function. Therefore, a physician may recommend magnesium L-threonate to normalize an individual's magnesium levels and to magnesium threonate provide potential benefits to the brain.
benefit
Since magnesium L-threonate can readily increase magnesium levels in the brain, it has the potential to improve cognitive function. However, research is still in its early stages and mainly involves animal models.

For example, a 2020 study in zebrafish found that magnesium threonate helped prevent brain cell death and preserve cognitive function.

Likewise, a 2019 study using a mouse model of Parkinson's disease found that magnesium threonate successfully increased magnesium levels in the cerebrospinal fluid and prevented motor deficits and loss of dopamine neurons.

Magnesium threonate is good for memory and neuralgia.

side effect
If a person consumes high levels of magnesium from food, it usually does not pose a threat to their health. However, taking magnesium threonate supplements or other forms of magnesium may cause side effects, including:

diarrhea
nausea
abdominal cramping
Magnesium toxicity can result from consuming more than 5,000 milligrams (mg) per day, causing the following symptoms:

low blood pressure
urinary retention
lethargy
muscle weakness
nausea and vomiting
Difficulty breathing
heart problems