Minerals, Genetics, and Optimizing Neurocognitive Function
Genetic Lifehacks Weekly Newsletter
I often see headlines or social media posts about how magnesium works better than antidepressants for depression -- or how zinc can cure everything under the sun.
It's a tantalizing thought... Maybe my (fill in the blank) mental or cognitive issue is due to a lack of a trace element. And for some, it may be that a mineral supplement will be the key to reversing a neurocognitive issue.
Trace minerals, such as magnesium, zinc, copper, iron, and lithium, do play important roles in neurotransmitter levels and the way that the brain functions.
Genetic variants in genes involved in the absorption and transport of minerals are associated with increased risk of various mental health conditions, as well as neurocognitive issues.
My latest article ties together many of the studies on trace minerals, cognitive and psychological issues, and genetic variants. (My thanks to a Genetic Lifehacks PRO member for suggesting this as a topic for a standalone article.)
However, I do want to caution that common genetic variants and optimizing minerals are likely to be only part of the picture for mental health and cognitive function for most people.
It's easy to get the idea from a Reddit post or a news headline that just supplementing with a mineral works mental miracles. But reality is that for complex systems - and what is more complex than our brains - you may find that you need to incorporate multiple therapies, multiple dietary and lifestyle optimizations.
So take this article on minerals as just one lever to pull or layer to address, and add it to everything you've learned on vitamins, neurotransmitters, detoxification, and diet in your quest for mental and physical strength and health.
Stay curious,
~Debbie
New articleTrace Minerals and Neurocognitive Optimization
Key takeaways:
~ Trace minerals, including copper, iron, lithium, magnesium, manganese, and zinc, can influence mood and cognitive function.
~ Genetic variants can interact with your need for these minerals, increasing or decreasing the amount you need.
~ Understanding your genetic variants is just one part of the picture, but it can be a starting point for knowing what to test or what to try first.
Read the rest of the article here
Latest on Longevity Lifehacks:
Proline for restoring mitochondrial function in aging
My latest article on Longevity Lifehacks substack: "A 2024 study showed that proline is likely very important in healthy aging and may be able to restore mitochondrial function and ameliorate DNA damage in senescent cells. Mitochondrial dysfunction is thought to be one of the driving factors of aging and the decay of health."
What I've been reading:
1. Klotho attenuates D-galactose-induced cardiac aging through the ROS/NLRP3/pyroptosis pathway
This is an interesting study (in mice) on how exogenous Klotho can prevent cardiac aging through inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation.
Related GL article: NLRP3 Inflammasome Genes
2. Test results for glyphosate in cereals
The Moms Across America Group had testing done on a bunch of different cereals in the US and the EU. The results shows that most contained glyphosate, including some labeled as organic. Oddly, the levels varied quite a bit for the same cereals depending on the location where it was sold. For example, Honey Nut Cheerios in the UK was much higher than the same cereal from the US, France, or Germany, but French Cookie Crisps had very high glyphosate compared to the UK, etc. Surprising (to me) was that the EU cereals were higher in glyphosate than the US versions.
3. Test results on heavy metals and microplastics in sea salt
Mamavation recently funded testing of sea salts and Himilayan salts for heavy metals and microplastics.
Putting it into context: To me, the trace amounts of heavy metals need to be put into context with how much salt someone uses as well as how much of they are exposed to in their daily water supply. For example, a little arsenic in my salt may not be a big deal, but if I also have arsenic in my well water and have genetic variants that decrease my ability to detoxify arsenic... well, that could be something to consider.