Researchers from Tsinghua University in Beijing developed a new compound called magnesium-L-threonate (MgT) and used it to increase magnesium levels in both older and younger rats. The researchers then studied the rats for behavioral changes associated with memory and found that increased levels of magnesium increased different forms of learning and memory in all the rats.

“Our findings suggest that elevating brain magnesium content via increasing magnesium intake might be a useful new strategy to enhance cognitive abilities,” said Dr Guosong Liu who is the director of the Center for Learning and Memory at Tsinghua University. “Moreover, half the population of industrialized countries has a magnesium deficit, which increases with aging.”

Natural sources of magnesium include hard water, green vegetables like spinach, nuts, seeds, yoghurt, bran, avocado, lentils, kidney beans, bananas and wheat germ. As the above study indicates, the best way to improve memory may be to consume these foods.