How Magnesium Protects Your Brain as You Age, Plus How to Eat Well When Fresh Food Prices Keep Rising

If you have a family history of dementia or Alzheimer's and you have been wondering what you can actually do about it now, this episode has something important for you.

New Australian research from the Australian National University has found that people consuming higher amounts of magnesium daily had measurably better brain health as they aged, with brains appearing roughly a year younger at midlife compared to those eating the recommended daily amount. The problem is that most Australians are not even hitting the baseline, let alone the levels associated with brain protection.

Leanne and Susie break down what the research actually means, where magnesium is found in food, why so few people are getting enough, and what to look for if a supplement is the right option for you.

Plus, with apples hitting $8 a kilo and oranges at $10, they share their honest, practical strategies for eating enough fruit without the supermarket bill becoming genuinely painful.

In this episode:

The Australian National University study on magnesium and brain health: what 550mg per day actually does to your brain at midlife, why the standard recommended intake is not enough, and why women with a family history of dementia or Alzheimer's should be paying close attention right now

The best dietary sources of magnesium, why most busy women are falling well short of even the basic target, and the specific forms to look for if you are considering a supplement

Why cheap magnesium supplements are largely a waste of money, what magnesium oxide actually does in the body, and the forms that are genuinely well absorbed

Fresh fruit prices in Australia right now: why apples and oranges have become a budget item worth thinking carefully about, and the smartest ways to keep fruit in your diet without overspending

The case for frozen berries, tinned fruit in natural juice, baby-sized fruit portions, and a Saturday morning market trip that Susie says changes the weekly grocery bill significantly

The Heart and Soul Mexican chicken and bean soup: a different flavour, a whole food base, and $4.50 a pouch. Leanne and Susie give their honest verdict including the one number on the nutrition panel that gives them pause

The post-workout dinner question answered properly: can you skip dinner after an evening workout, what to eat instead, and why the timing of your meals matters more than most people realise

Why Leanne says the answer to "can I skip dinner" is almost always no, and what a balanced post-workout snack actually looks like if a full meal is not realistic

Shop Designed by Dietitians:

The Designed by Dietitians RESTORE triple magnesium blend uses three clinical forms of magnesium chosen specifically for absorption, sleep support, and muscle recovery. If you are not hitting your magnesium through food, it is worth a look. Find it at designedbydietitians.com

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