Age is the greatest risk factor for memory loss and dementia, defined as a cognitive decline that interferes with independent functioning. By age 45, the memory performance of average individuals is lower than it was during their twenties. And for those with a family history of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), these age-related memory complaints cause considerable anxiety: patients worry that their normal aging symptoms are the initial indication of a progressive cognitive impairment that they have observed in their relatives.

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AD is the most common cause of dementia. It has a gradual onset and progression and leads to abnormal protein deposits-amyloid plaques and tau tangles-that accumulate in the brain regions that control thinking and memory. However, there are other factors that can lead to dementia, such as depression, adverse effects of medications, thyroid imbalances, and magnesium deficiency. It has been demonstrated that the prevalence of magnesium deficiency increased with age and that different studies have linked magnesium deficiency to neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s Disease. The concentration of magnesium affects N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) GABA receptors function that influences neuronal density and plasticity, resulting in its impact on learning and memory. Besides that, research studies showed the association between the risk of stroke and magnesium. Increased magnesium intake appears to be beneficial in reducing total stroke risk.