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Florida neuroscientist reveals best time to take magnesium: ‘One of the most important minerals for your brain’

Robert Love states that magnesium is so important, our body takes it away from our bones it there is ever a shortage. For better absorption, timing is key. 

Updated on: Jan 16, 2026, 16:43:23 IST
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A healthy body requires a steady supply of both macro and micronutrients to maintain itself. One of the most critical elements in the latter group is magnesium, a mineral that is known to be important for the brain.

According to Robert Love, it is better to take magnesium supplements rather than run the risk of having low magnesium. (Unsplash)
According to Robert Love, it is better to take magnesium supplements rather than run the risk of having low magnesium. (Unsplash)

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Taking to Instagram on January 15, Robert WB Love, a Florida-based neuroscientist who is working on reversing Alzheimer’s, explained why magnesium is an essential mineral for our diet, while also sharing the best time of the day to have it.

Usefulness of magnesium

“Magnesium is one of the most important minerals for your brain,” stated Robert. “Research studies, dissection studies of Alzheimer's brains found that Alzheimer's brains were deficient in magnesium compared to a healthy brain, which means magnesium deficiency is a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease.

He noted that the mineral is used in over 300 enzymatic processes in the body, and is essential for brain health, bone health, immune function, as well as providing energy.

“It's so essential that if you don't have enough magnesium, your body will literally take magnesium from your bones to use it,” Robert highlighted.

As such, it becomes extremely important, especially for women over fifty, to eat magnesium-rich foods and potentially take a magnesium supplement to ensure that there is enough magnesium in the blood and they are not losing bone density.

When is the best time to take magnesium?

Magnesium competes with calcium and iron for absorption by our body. As such, we should not be taking magnesium-rich food or magnesium supplements with calcium-rich foods or iron-rich foods, or their supplements, explained Robert.

“I like to take my magnesium first thing in the morning on an empty stomach,” he stated. “You can also take magnesium before bed. A lot of people like magnesium glycate, magnesium threonate, magnesium toureate before bed. They're calming and relaxing.”

While there is no harm in taking magnesium at any time of the day, taking it along with food simply reduces its chance of absorption in the blood.

Best type of magnesium to consume

For the brain: According to Robert, magnesium threonate, also known as magnesium three and eight, is the best compound for brain health. It is a smaller form of magnesium that can easily cross the blood-brain barrier.

For overall health: Magnesium glycinate is good for the overall health of the body, including the brain. It helps with sleep and overall relaxation.

Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.

This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.

  • Debapriya Bhattacharya
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Debapriya Bhattacharya

    Debapriya Bhattacharya is a Content Producer at Hindustan Times. He started his career in 2022, working in newsrooms in beats like education, US news, trending stories, and entertainment. In his new role in the lifestyle desk, he seeks to deliver a balanced blend of research-driven reporting and creative storytelling from health and recipes to art and culture. Science, philosophy, food and pop culture are what pump his veins and help bring heart to his stories. Debapriya tries to see out subjects that will allow him and readers to explore new frontiers and improve the quality of life for all. The explorations can be both external and internal, as thoughts seek to be as chaotic as the greater universe. As a citizen of the world, Debapriya has been fascinated by the lives of people across the globe throughout time. His curiosity leads him to explore new linguistic and cultural landscapes to broaden his horizons and deepen his understanding of global narratives. Beyond the newsroom, Debapriya loves to participate in debate and theatre, spaces that he considers to be holy grounds for nuance and self-expression. A graduate from Ashutosh College, University of Calcutta, Debapriya completed his Master's degree from the same university in 2022. An ambiverted bibliophile, he loves his solitude as much as he adores stimulating conversations. And despite his reverence for tech, libraries continue to be his favourite place for research.Read More

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