-----Original Message-----
From: ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia Information Exchange Forum
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Melissa O'Toole
Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2004 00:02
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [CO-CURE] MED: Magnesium Maintains Memory
Magnesium Maintains Memory
Mineral seems to regulate key brain receptor involved in learning
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 1 (HealthDayNews) -- Along with its many other functions
in the body, magnesium may also help maintain learning and memory in
middle age and beyond, according to a study in the Dec. 2 issue of
Neuron.
Scientists already knew that magnesium helps build bones, regulate body
temperature, produce proteins and release energy stored in muscles.
The new study by Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers found
that magnesium also helps regulate a key brain receptor that plays an
important role in learning and memory. The finding indicates that
magnesium deficiency may result in reduced ability to learn and
memorize, while cognitive function may be improved by an abundance of
magnesium.
"Our study shows maintaining proper magnesium in the cerebrospinal fluid
is essential for maintaining the plasticity of synapses," the study
authors wrote.
Synapses are the connections among brain cells. Plasticity, which refers
to the ability to change, is vital to the brain's ability to learn and
remember.
"Since it is estimated that the majority of American adults consume less
than the estimated average requirement of magnesium, it is possible that
such a deficit may have detrimental effects, resulting in potential
declines in memory function," the authors wrote.
Magnesium is found in foods such as dark green, leafy vegetables. The
adult daily requirement for magnesium is about 400 milligrams a day.
It's estimated that about half of all Americans don't get enough
magnesium.
Anxiety, heart disease, muscle cramps, asthma, allergies,
attention-deficit disorder and other health problems have been linked to
lack of sufficient magnesium.
More information
The National Library of Medicine has more about magnesium in the diet at
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002423.htm .
-- Robert Preidt
SOURCE: Massachusetts Institute of Technology news release, Dec. 2, 2004
Copyright C 2004 ScoutNews LLC. All rights reserved.
Source: http://www.healthday.com/view.cfm?id=522600
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