Now, only AIDP, ThreoTech—the manufacturer and marketer of the ingredient under the trademark Magtein—and its sublicensees, can sell magnesium L-threonate in the EU for the next five years.
Magtein is now fully approved for inclusion in products sold to consumers throughout the EU. The regulation took effect on Nov. 7, 2024 and applies across all EU member states.
The European Commission authorized the sale of magnesium L-threonate as a novel food following an AIDP’s 2021 application’s requesting its use in food supplements for adults, excluding pregnant and lactating women.
The company also sought data protection for studies supporting its application.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) assessed magnesium L-threonate and confirmed its safety and bioavailability as a magnesium source. Based on EFSA’s findings, the Commission approved its sale under specified conditions.
Now, AIDP holds exclusive rights to the supporting scientific data for five years, preventing other companies from using the protected studies unless legally obtained or approved by AIDP.
Furthermore, ThreoTech has hired Herbert Smith Freehills, a global law firm, to take action against EU companies violating its novel food exclusivity.
“The five-year period of exclusivity granted to AIDP, and its licensee ThreoTech, offers added reassurance to consumers, manufacturers and brands that the magnesium L-threonate sourced through ThreoTech is guaranteed to be safe, authentic and of the highest quality,” said Edward Lee, CEO at ThreoTech.
Magtein’s magnesium L-threonate
Researchers have previously tested Magtein’s ability to increase synaptic density in brain regions linked to executive function and memory.
In one placebo-controlled study, they assessed the effect of magnesium L-threonate on cognitive performance, concluding that the ingredient effectively increased brain synapse density, which they said highlighted the role of intracellular magnesium in cognitive health.
“Magtein is a highly bioavailable form of magnesium that clinical evidence shows can readily cross the blood-brain barrier,” Laurentia Guesman, director of brand management at ThreoTech, told NutraIngredients.
“This active transport mechanism is unique to magnesium L-threonate.”
Magnesium trends
Increasing consumer awareness regarding the importance of sleep for overall health is a major catalyst for the magnesium market growth, according to a recent Allied Market Research report on the sleep supplement market.
According to the report, the U.S. dominates the sleep aid supplements market, driven by a high prevalence of sleep disorders such as insomnia and sleep apnea.
Key ingredients driving the U.S. market include ashwagandha, GABA, magnesium, 5-HTP, kava and theanine, according insights firm SPINS, which tracks data across multi outlet and natural retail channels in the United States.
As Scott Dicker, senior director of market insights at the firm, told NutraIngredients-USA, magnesium is seeing significant growth due to its versatility and ability to support both relaxation and energy balance.
In Europe, magnesium continues to maintain its on-trend position due to its versatility, Nick Morgan, managing director of Nutrition Integrated, recently told NutraIngredients, with many companies incorporating magnesium for sleep and other products.
“Magnesium is a really good example of how a mineral that we’ve known for so long can continue to be exciting when positioned really well,” he said, adding that while it is well-known for sports recovery, it is increasingly gaining attention for sleep and calmness.
According to ThreoTech’s Guesman, Magtein has emerged as a top-trending active ingredient in the United States, particularly in mineral, cognition, mental health and sleep products.
“The brain health segment has diversified and expanded in the last few years into a broader category of mental health, which includes memory and focus, mood and stress and even sleep,” she said.
As this segment expands, older populations are increasingly choosing products for memory and focus, while younger consumers prefer those for mood and stress, Guesman noted.
“As the brain is the control center for many vital functions and mental health feelings, younger consumers are looking to incorporate these products to address more immediate concerns vs. long term concerns.”