Magnesium L threonate

Hi, @stepklin - A few members from support groups around Mayo Clinic Connect have mentioned Magnesium L threonate. Tagging them here so they can speak to whether they have tried it, if it was taken for brain health or another reason, and if they noted it to be helpful @raebaby @davidhca @arichards3 @pb50 @azdesertgirl.

@lisalucier I have been taking Mag LT for two years. If you read any of my posts you know I am intensely focused on improving cognitive functionality and am pursuing multiple meds and non-meds paths such as diet, brain workouts, etc.

That said, I am primarily taking MagLT for sleep quality and relief from constipation caused by another Medication. And it has been a Godsend on both counts.

If it is simultaneously contributing to cognitive functionality, I will gladly accept that benefit!! FWIW, I did learn the PhD Neuropsychologist who conducted my cognitive testing also takes MagLT.

@stepklin
Hi Irish,
Thank you for bringing this up — I had never heard of this form of magnesium before, so I did a little research. What makes it stand out is that, unlike most magnesium supplements (citrate, glycinate, oxide), which are absorbed into the body but have limited access to the brain, the L-threonate form is able to cross the blood-brain barrier — making it promising not only for cognition but also for mood and sleep quality, though human studies are still small.
Like you, I have temporal lobe epilepsy, and I've noticed some changes in my cognitive function over the years, so this caught my attention right away!
Have you been taking it already? If so, I'd love to hear what benefits you've experienced. Has anyone else here tried magnesium L-threonate? Please share your experiences!
Chris

I’ve been using magnesium threonate for about three years. I started taking it for what I thought was long Covid that turned out to be Mold Illness. Continue to take it because reading about it there are many studies that say it’s good for you. Does help me sleep. Be careful how much you take because it certainly does relieve constipation!!! Whether it helps with cognitive function, I’m just going with the studies that say it does.

I take a magnesium complex that has L threonate in it. It also contains 2 other types of magnesium; Glycinate and Taurate. I have taken it for a few years. I don't know how much good it's done my brain. But I can tell you that it has made it so I can sleep soundly without waking up constantly. When I tried not taking the supplement, I stopped sleeping again. It is a supplement called Magtech Magnesium

I started it tonight and, knock on wood, I’m hopeful. I’ve heard it’s helped people’s memory and I hope it helps me too.

I'm wondering how it affects AED's? Specifically Lamictal XR ? Has anyone taking it had decrease in seizure activity?

Hi, @stepklin. Wondering if any particular scientific publication prompted you to look into magnesium l threonate? If so, will you post a link to that study or studies so other members can read it?

@seekingserotonin
Welcome to our Epilepsy group here at Connect! If you'd like, feel free to share more of your epilepsy journey here:
- Living with epilepsy - Introduce yourself & meet others https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/living-with-epilepsy-introduce-yourself-meet-others/
I've been taking magnesium L-threonate for two months now, and I'm sleeping better, a well-known seizure trigger for me. As for cognitive improvements, it's still early to say. Back in February, I switched manufacturers on one of my medications, which brought a nice decrease in seizures. I've noticed some improvement in my cognitive function, but I honestly can't tell if it's from the magnesium, the seizure reduction, or both.
What kind of cognitive challenges are you currently facing?
Chris

@minajo
Hi Lisa's mom!
As I've shared, I've been taking it for two months now and haven't observed a direct link between it and any change in my seizure pattern. As far as I know, magnesium L-threonate hasn't specifically been studied for seizure reduction; the research so far is mostly about cognition and sleep.
What I have clearly noticed is better sleep quality, which I track through my watch. How is Lisa's sleep quality with Lamictal?
@pb50 @arichards3 @absentsenior — you've been taking magnesium L-threonate longer, so have you noticed any benefits connected to your seizure pattern?
Chris