Dementia is one of the most devastating illnesses you’re likely to get. How likely? According to the World Health Organization, 55 million people worldwide currently have some form of dementia. In the United States, perhaps as many as one in ten have dementia, while another 22 percent suffer from mild cognitive impairment. Risk increases as you age. Among those over 90 years old, the rate is 35 percent.
Unfortunately, there’s no cure for dementia, and despite some encouraging news in the last year, there has not been much progress toward one. That’s why a lot of experts say we should be focusing on prevention. And it’s clear that when it comes to reducing your chances of getting dementia, diet matters. Eating a well-balanced, healthful diet can definitely reduce your risk. But which nutrients in that diet are responsible for the benefit?
Does Magnesium Lower Dementia Risk?
In recent years, there has been some encouraging research exploring the role of magnesium in lowering the risk of dementia. A study examining the diets of Americans 60 years and older found that a high intake of magnesium may be associated with better cognitive function. The effect seemed strongest among women and non-Hispanic whites. Another study found that magnesium could potentially be an effective therapy for Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia.
