--- title: "Magnesium L-Threonate — Evidence, Benefits & Where to Buy | Magellan" description: "Magnesium L-Threonate — Magnesium L-threonate (also called L-threonic acid magnesium salt, L-TAMS, or the branded ingredient Magtein) is the magnesium…" url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/p/127.md" canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/p/127.html" html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/p/127.html" type: "product" section: "Nutraceuticals & Cellular Energizers" evidence_grade: "Emerging evidence" evidence_tier: "emerging" citations: 19 product_id: 127 price_usd: 30.78 updated: 2026-09-02 author: "Gabriel Radu, DO" author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765." publisher: "Magellan Longevity" content_format: "markdown" license: "Educational content — not medical advice" --- # Magnesium L-Threonate [Home](https://magellanlongevity.com/) › [Nutraceuticals & Cellular Energizers](https://magellanlongevity.com/c/1.md) › Magnesium L-Threonate **HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/p/127.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/product/127 ## Key facts | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Product | Magnesium L-Threonate | | Category | [Nutraceuticals & Cellular Energizers](https://magellanlongevity.com/c/1.md) | | Evidence grade | Emerging evidence (C) | | Peer-reviewed citations | 19 | | Typical listed price | $30.78 (check the live price) | | Where to buy | [Search Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Magnesium%20L-Threonate&tag=magellanlong-20) | | Catalog ID | 127 | ## What it is Magnesium L-threonate (also called L-threonic acid magnesium salt, L-TAMS, or the branded ingredient Magtein) is the magnesium salt of threonic acid, developed around 2010 as a form of magnesium intended to raise brain levels. In rodent studies it elevates brain magnesium more effectively than other salts, apparently entering neurons via glucose transporters and raising intraneuronal magnesium, which in turn upregulates NR2B-containing NMDA receptors and increases synapse density, mechanisms tied to learning and memory; direct confirmation of brain-magnesium elevation in humans is still lacking. It is sold as a dietary supplement for cognitive support and delivers only about 7-8% elemental magnesium by weight. ## Its role in longevity In small randomized trials, magnesium-L-threonate improved composite cognition versus placebo in older adults with cognitive impairment and improved cognitive performance, sleep-quality scores and daytime functioning in healthy adults. However, the human evidence base is thin and conflicted: the key trials are small, short and manufacturer-funded (one sleep trial later required a funding-disclosure corrigendum), some endpoints show no benefit, brain-age metrics are exploratory, and both low and high serum magnesium have been linked to dementia risk. Much of the mechanistic support comes from rodent and cell studies. This evidence describes magnesium and magnesium-L-threonate and their underlying mechanisms, not this specific commercial product. ## Evidence grade: Emerging evidence - **What the grade means:** Curated grade based on the human and mechanistic evidence for this compound. - **Dose used in studies:** 1-2 g/day in trials (about 144 mg elemental magnesium per 2 g) - **What this grade does not say:** A few small, short, industry-funded randomized trials report cognitive and sleep benefits consistent with rodent mechanism data, but there is no independent replication and human brain-magnesium elevation has not been directly confirmed. It provides little elemental magnesium, so it is a cognitive-support candidate, not a way to correct magnesium deficiency. ## Where it comes from without a bottle Food, exercise and behaviour routes to the same pathway, each with its citation. | Natural source | How it works | Citation | | --- | --- | --- | | Leafy greens, nuts, seeds & whole grains | Magnesium L-threonate is just a magnesium salt; the mineral itself is abundant in plant foods. A handful of pumpkin seeds, almonds, spinach, or a bowl of black beans each deliver 70-150 mg of elemental magnesium toward the ~400 mg daily target. | Cureus 2024 [PMID 39539878](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39539878/) | | Unrefined whole grains, almonds & cocoa | Western diets frequently fall below the recommended magnesium intake. Swapping refined grains for whole/unrefined ones and snacking on almonds, cashews, or dark cocoa restores intake without a pill. Note: food magnesium won't reach the brain like L-threonate, but it covers whole-body needs. | Rocz Panstw Zakl Hig 2013 [PMID 24325082](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24325082/) | ### What those papers actually say 1. **Leafy greens, nuts, seeds & whole grains** Cureus 2024 · [PMID 39539878](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39539878/) · [DOI 10.7759/cureus.71392](https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.71392) > Mg is naturally found in a wide array of foods, with green leafy vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes being particularly rich sources. 2. **Unrefined whole grains, almonds & cocoa** Rocz Panstw Zakl Hig 2013 · [PMID 24325082](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24325082/) > Dietary sources rich in magnesium are whole and unrefined grains, seeds, cocoa, nuts, almonds and green leafy vegetables. ## In the news - **Study: Magnesium-L-Threonate Improves Objective, Subjective Sleep Quality** — The American Journal of Managed Care (AJMC) 2024 [Read it](https://www.ajmc.com/view/study-magnesium-l-threonate-improves-objective-subjective-sleep-quality) > A new form of magnesium supplement appears to lead to superior sleep and improved daytime functioning, according to a new placebo-controlled study. - **Magnesium L-threonate may boost cognitive performance and improve sleep: RCT** — NutraIngredients 2026 [Read it](https://www.nutraingredients.com/Article/2026/01/16/magtein-magnesium-l-threonate-may-boost-cognitive-performance-and-improve-sleep/) > Data published in Frontiers in Nutrition also indicated that daily supplementation with 2 grams of Magtein led to improvements in cognitive performance, memory, reaction time, brain cognitive age and heart rate in healthy adults. Subjective sleep measures also improved. ## The research Peer-reviewed studies on the active compound. Quotes are verbatim from the cited abstract. Research describes the active mechanism and is not a claim about this specific product. ### Cited studies 1. **Evidence: brain-penetrant magnesium** Nutrients 2022 · [PMID 36558392](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36558392/) · [DOI 10.3390/nu14245235](https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14245235) > significant improvements in overall memory quotient scores 2. **Regulation of structural and functional synapse density by L-threonate through intraneuronal magnesium** Neuropharmacology 2016 · [PMID 27178134](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27178134/) · [DOI 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2016.05.006](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropharm.2016.05.006) > L-TAMS restoring global cognitive abilities of older adults; increased functional synapse density 3. **Magnesium in Migraine Prophylaxis-Is There an Evidence-Based Rationale? A Systematic Review.** Headache 2018 · [PMID 29131326](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29131326/) · [DOI 10.1111/head.13217](https://doi.org/10.1111/head.13217) > This systematic review provides Grade C (possibly effective) evidence for prevention of migraine with magnesium. 4. **Effects of Intravenous and Oral Magnesium on Reducing Migraine: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.** Pain Physician 2016 · [PMID 26752497](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26752497/) > Intravenous magnesium reduces acute migraine attacks within 15 - 45 minutes, 120 minutes, and 24 hours after the initial infusion and oral magnesium alleviates the frequency and intensity of migraine. 5. **Efficacy and Safety of MMFS-01, a Synapse Density Enhancer, for Treating Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.** J Alzheimers Dis 2016 · [PMID 26519439](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26519439/) · [DOI 10.3233/JAD-150538](https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-150538) > With MMFS-01 treatment, overall cognitive ability improved significantly relative to placebo (p = 0.003; Cohen's d = 0.91). Cognitive fluctuation was also reduced. 6. **The effects of magnesium L-threonate (Magtein) on cognitive performance and sleep quality in adults: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.** Front Nutr 2026 · [PMID 41601871](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41601871/) · [DOI 10.3389/fnut.2025.1729164](https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2025.1729164) > The purpose of this two-arm, 6-week, parallel-group, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was to examine the effects of magnesium L-threonate (Magtein) supplementation on cognitive performance, cognitive age, sleep quality, and selected physiological indicators in adults. 7. **Magnesium-L-threonate improves sleep quality and daytime functioning in adults with self-reported sleep problems: A randomized controlled trial.** Sleep Med X 2024 · [PMID 39252819](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39252819/) · [DOI 10.1016/j.sleepx.2024.100121](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleepx.2024.100121) > This showed MgT improved sleep quality, especially deep/REM sleep stages, improved mood, energy, alertness, and daily activity and productivity. 8. **Oral application of magnesium-L-threonate enhances analgesia and reduces the dosage of opioids needed in advanced cancer patients-A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.** Cancer Med 2023 · [PMID 36703238](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36703238/) · [DOI 10.1002/cam4.4922](https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.4922) > L-TAMS outperforms a placebo in enhancing the analgesic effect of opioids and reducing the necessary opioid dosage. Moreover, L-TAMS can significantly relieve opioid-induced constipation. 9. **Effects of magnesium supplementation on serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels and cognitive function in patients undergoing fluoxetine therapy for depression.** East Asian Arch Psychiatry 2026 · [PMID 42374947](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42374947/) · [DOI 10.12809/eaap2617](https://doi.org/10.12809/eaap2617) > Magnesium supplementation as an adjunct to fluoxetine was associated with greater improvement in cognitive function than fluoxetine alone in patients with depression. 10. **Magnesium and Cognitive Health in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.** Adv Nutr 2024 · [PMID 39009081](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39009081/) · [DOI 10.1016/j.advnut.2024.100272](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advnut.2024.100272) > Evidence from the limited number of RCTs was insufficient to draw conclusions on the effects of Mg supplements. Cohort studies showed inconsistent dose-response relationships between dietary Mg and cognitive disorders, with high heterogeneity across populations. 11. **Relations of magnesium intake to cognitive impairment and dementia among participants in the Women's Health Initiative Memory Study: a prospective cohort study.** BMJ Open 2019 · [PMID 31685499](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31685499/) · [DOI 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-030052](https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2019-030052) > Participants in Q3 had a significantly lower risk of MCI/PD (HR 0.69, 95% CI 0.53 to 0.91) and MCI (HR 0.63, 95% CI 0.45 to 0.87) after multivariate adjustments. 12. **Enhancement of learning and memory by elevating brain magnesium.** Neuron 2010 · [PMID 20152124](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20152124/) · [DOI 10.1016/j.neuron.2009.12.026](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2009.12.026) > Here, we show that increasing brain magnesium using a newly developed magnesium compound (magnesium-L-threonate, MgT) leads to the enhancement of learning abilities, working memory, and short- and long-term memory in rats. The pattern completion ability was also improved in aged rats. 13. **Targeting the NMDA receptor subunit NR2B for treating or preventing age-related memory decline.** Expert Opin Ther Targets 2014 · [PMID 25152202](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25152202/) · [DOI 10.1517/14728222.2014.941286](https://doi.org/10.1517/14728222.2014.941286) > Accumulating evidence suggests that elevated brain magnesium levels, via dietary supplementation, can boost NR2B in the brain, consequently reversing memory deficits and enhancing cognitive abilities. 14. **Magnesium-L-threonate Ameliorates Cognitive Deficit by Attenuating Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis Impairment in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease.** Exp Neurobiol 2025 · [PMID 40234095](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40234095/) · [DOI 10.5607/en24030](https://doi.org/10.5607/en24030) > In conclusion, MgT treatment improved cognitive decline by ameliorating adult hippocampal neurogenesis impairment in this AD model, possibly via ERK/CREB activation. 15. **Chronic Oral Administration of Magnesium-L-Threonate Prevents Oxaliplatin-Induced Memory and Emotional Deficits by Normalization of TNF-α/NF-κB Signaling in Rats.** Neurosci Bull 2020 · [PMID 32857294](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32857294/) · [DOI 10.1007/s12264-020-00563-x](https://doi.org/10.1007/s12264-020-00563-x) > The OXA-induced behavioral and synaptic changes were prevented by chronic oral administration of magnesium-L-threonate (L-TAMS, 604 mg/kg per day, from 2 days before until the end of experiments). 16. **Magnesium L-Threonate Reduces Hippocampal Amyloid-β Load without Cognitive Improvement in a PTU-induced Hypothyroidism Model in Young Rats.** Mol Neurobiol 2025 · [PMID 41201547](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41201547/) · [DOI 10.1007/s12035-025-05322-5](https://doi.org/10.1007/s12035-025-05322-5) > We report that while MgT supplementation did not significantly improve cognitive performance in behavioral tasks or inflammatory markers in hypothyroid rats, it did increase hippocampal BDNF levels in euthyroid animals and reduced hippocampal amyloid-β load under both euthyroid and hypothyroid conditions. 17. **Magnesium-L-threonate treats Alzheimer's disease by modulating the microbiota-gut-brain axis.** Neural Regen Res 2023 · [PMID 38488562](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38488562/) · [DOI 10.4103/1673-5374.391310](https://doi.org/10.4103/1673-5374.391310) > Previously, we reported that magnesium-L-threonate treatment improved cognition and reduced oxidative stress and inflammation in a double-transgenic line of Alzheimer's disease model mice expressing the amyloid-β precursor protein and mutant human presenilin 1 (APP/PS1). 18. **Magnesium (Mg): Essential Mineral for Neuronal Health: From Cellular Biochemistry to Cognitive Health and Behavior Regulation.** Curr Pharm Des 2024 · [PMID 39253923](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39253923/) · [DOI 10.2174/0113816128321466240816075041](https://doi.org/10.2174/0113816128321466240816075041) > Supplementation with Mg, particularly in the form of bioavailable compounds such as Magnesium-L-Threonate (MgLT), Magnesium-Acetyl-Taurate (MgAT), and other Magnesium salts, has shown some promising results in enhancing synaptic density, improving memory function, and alleviating symptoms of mental health disorders. 19. **Enhanced Neurophysiological Benefits of Magnesium-Acetyl-Taurate Over Magnesium-L-Threonate: A Comparative pre-clinical Study on Bioavailability, Synaptic Plasticity and Cognitive Functions.** Neuromolecular Med 2026 · [PMID 42084749](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42084749/) · [DOI 10.1007/s12017-026-08929-6](https://doi.org/10.1007/s12017-026-08929-6) > Behavioral tests indicated that MAT and the combined therapy of MLT and MAT significantly improved spatial learning, memory, and anxiety-related behaviors. ## Where to buy [Search Amazon for Magnesium L-Threonate](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Magnesium%20L-Threonate&tag=magellanlong-20) — affiliate search link. ## Structured data ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"ItemPage","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/p/127.html#page","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/p/127.html","name":"Magnesium L-Threonate","description":"Magnesium L-threonate (also called L-threonic acid magnesium salt, L-TAMS, or the branded ingredient Magtein) is the magnesium salt of threonic acid,…","inLanguage":"en","isPartOf":{"@type":"WebSite","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Gabriel Radu, DO","jobTitle":"Physiatrist (PM&R)","identifier":[{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NPI","value":"1376861765"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NY medical license","value":"275110"}]},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"encoding":{"@type":"MediaObject","encodingFormat":"text/markdown","contentUrl":"https://magellanlongevity.com/p/127.md"},"dateModified":"2026-09-02"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Nutraceuticals & Cellular Energizers","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/c/1.html"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Magnesium L-Threonate","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/p/127.html"}]},{"@type":"Product","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/p/127.html#product","name":"Magnesium L-Threonate","category":"Nutraceuticals & Cellular Energizers","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/p/127.html","description":"Magnesium L-threonate (also called L-threonic acid magnesium salt, L-TAMS, or the branded ingredient Magtein) is the magnesium salt of threonic acid, developed around 2010 as a form of magnesium intended to raise brain levels. 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Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication. Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases. Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).