Magtein magnesium L-threonate cleared as novel food in the UK for brain health

Magtein, a patented, highly bioavailable source of magnesium distributed by ThreoTech, has been authorized as a novel food in the UK. As a proprietary form of magnesium L-threonate, the ingredient holds a unique molecular structure that allows it to cross the blood-brain barrier with demonstrated benefits for memory, cognition, mood, and sleep. 

In 2021, ThreoTech’s partner company AIDP submitted novel food applications to the Food Standards Agency in England and Wales, and Food Standards Scotland.

Ministers in England, Scotland, and Wales have authorized magnesium L-threonate as a novel food and have applied a data protection period of five years.

“In the UK, as elsewhere, consumers are increasingly seeking out effective solutions for stress, sleep, and cognitive well-being. Magnesium can be highly effective, but most forms struggle to deliver meaningful benefits because they don’t cross the blood-brain barrier to a sufficient degree,” says Rory Lipsky, senior VP of marketing at ThreoTech.

“Magtein’s unique structure has a dramatic impact on brain bioavailability, and we’re delighted that its proven benefits can now be made available to consumers in one of the world’s most important magnesium markets.”

Clinical backing

In 2010, scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, US, developed Magtein after 10 years of research to help address the challenge of increasing magnesium levels in the brain. Their original findings are published in the journal Cell.

The landmark study demonstrated that magnesium L-threonate could elevate cerebrospinal fluid magnesium levels, which boosted synaptic plasticity and memory in animal models.

Researchers have also found that traditional magnesium compounds, such as magnesium chloride or citrate, typically do not significantly raise brain magnesium levels when taken orally.

Based on its multiple human clinical studies, Magtein’s has been shown to support general brain health, healthy cognitive aging, focus, mood, sleep quality, heart rate variability, and reaction time.

Global approvals and partnerships

Magtein was granted Novel Food status in the EU in 2024. In the US, it has held an FDA generally recognized as safe (GRAS) approval since 2012.

The ingredient is also approved as safe for use in consumer products in Canada, Japan, Turkey, India, and Thailand.

Magtein is suitable for use in a wide range of supplement, functional food, and beverage applications, including capsules, tablets, gels, powders, and liquid concentrates. It is formulated to be stable, tasteless, odorless, colorless, and water-soluble.

Today, the ingredient is applied in over 400 products by global brand partners and continues to be the subject of clinical research.

Threotech will showcase Magtein at Vitafoods Europe in Barcelona, Spain (May 5–7).