Magnesium (Mg) is a mineral found naturally in the human body and in animal and plant-based foods, beverages, dietary supplements, and some medicines such as laxatives.[1] It is necessary for the functioning of every organ, for the makeup of teeth and bones, and for metabolic processes.[2] Magnesium can not be produced by the human body, and can only be obtained through dietary means.[3]
When the amount of magnesium levels in the blood falls below the normal level (1.3 to 2.1 mEq/L), a person is experiencing hypomagnesia, or magnesium deficiency.[2] A majority of people surveyed in the United States report lower daily intakes of magnesium than what is recommended.[1] Some groups are particularly likely to have inadequate magnesium levels including people with gastrointestinal diseases, people with type 2 diabetes, people with alcohol dependence, and older adults.[1]
Low serum magnesium has been linked to depressive symptoms.[4] Magnesium effects the Hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis in the brain, which controls the stress response system and therefore, anxiety and depression.[5] Tentative data indicate that oral magnesium supplementation may be effective for treating mild to moderate adult depression.[6][7]
Although there is evidence suggesting inadequate dietary Mg as contributing to the cause of depression, independent clinical trials are needed to confirm the efficacy of Mg in treating depression.[8][6]
Excessive magnesium intake from dietary supplements or medications can cause magnesium toxicity.[1] Magnesium can also interact negatively with several medication types, such as antibiotics and diuretics, so people taking medications regularly should consult with a healthcare provider before starting a magnesium supplement.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e "Magnesium". Office of Dietary Supplements.
- ^ a b MedlinePlus Encyclopedia: Magnesium deficiency
- ^ Ford, Earl S.; Mokdad, Ali H. (1 September 2003). "Dietary Magnesium Intake in a National Sample of U.S. Adults". The Journal of Nutrition. 133 (9): 2879–2882. doi:10.1093/jn/133.9.2879. PMID 12949381.
- ^ Tarleton, Emily K.; Kennedy, Amanda G.; Rose, Gail L.; Crocker, Abigail; Littenberg, Benjamin (28 June 2019). "The Association between Serum Magnesium Levels and Depression in an Adult Primary Care Population". Nutrients. 11 (7): 1475. doi:10.3390/nu11071475. PMC 6683054. PMID 31261707.
- ^ Sartori, S. B.; Whittle, N.; Hetzenauer, A.; Singewald, N. (1 January 2012). "Magnesium deficiency induces anxiety and HPA axis dysregulation: Modulation by therapeutic drug treatment". Neuropharmacology. 62 (1): 304–312. doi:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2011.07.027. PMC 3198864. PMID 21835188.
- ^ a b Derom, Marie-Laure; Sayón-Orea, Carmen; Martínez-Ortega, José María; Martínez-González, Miguel A. (September 2013). "Magnesium and depression: a systematic review". Nutritional Neuroscience. 16 (5): 191–206. doi:10.1179/1476830512Y.0000000044. PMID 23321048. S2CID 206849171.
- ^ Tarleton, Emily K.; Littenberg, Benjamin; MacLean, Charles D.; Kennedy, Amanda G.; Daley, Christopher (27 June 2017). "Role of magnesium supplementation in the treatment of depression: A randomized clinical trial". PLOS ONE. 12 (6): e0180067. Bibcode:2017PLoSO..1280067T. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0180067. PMC 5487054. PMID 28654669.
- ^ Eby, George A.; Eby, Karen L.; Murck, Harald (2011). "Magnesium and major depression". In Vink, Robert; Nechifor, Mihai (eds.). Magnesium in the Central Nervous System. University of Adelaide Press. pp. 313–330. ISBN 978-0-9870730-6-8. JSTOR 10.20851/j.ctt1t3055m.27. PMID 29920018.