Magnesium for Depression

Have you ever heard that anxiety, depression, forgetfulness and fatigue are important symptoms of magnesium deficiency?

Research has shown that low magnesium plays a crucial role in the development of depression, attention deficit disorder, heart attack and diabetes.

Learn mor about cause and symptoms of depression...

Magnesium is one of the body's major four ions: together with sodium, potassium and calcium. Magnesium is essential:

• for the formation of healthy bones and teeth 
• in the transmission of nerve impulses 
• mostly for the relaxation of muscles 
• in activating several enzymes 
• in the conversion of carbohydrates, fats and proteins into energy. 

Several hundred bodily functions require magnesium, as blood coagulation, insulin production, normal heartbeat, muscle and nerve functions.

Magnesium deficiency seems to be an epidemic in the Western civilization.

Over 80% of people in the western world are low in magnesium.

You can imagine, that magnesium deficiency affects any organ in the body and has a wide variety of symptoms.

The symptoms of magnesium deficiency include anxiety, depression, restlessness, confusion, irritability, brain fog, fatigue and irregular heartbeat and tight, aching muscles.
The list of symptoms, related to possible magnesium deficiency, is very long. If you have 3 of the following complaints you may need magnesium substitution:

• muscular tension, muscle cramps, tics, tight muscles, easily injured muscles, weak muscles
• heart palpitation, irregular heartbeat
• high blood pressure
• depression, anxiety, dizziness, confusion, irritability, memory loss, poor attention
• chronic fatigue
• low stress tolerance
• menstrual cramps, premenstrual mood changes
• night sweats
• loss of bladder control
• sluggish colon, constipation
• migraine headaches
• cold hands and feet, muscle cramps in legs or feet
• chronic pain in hips or knees, low back or middle back pain
• carpal tunnel syndrome
• arthritis
• osteoporosis
• crawling sensations on the skin
• Attention Deficit Disorder
• thyroid dysfunction (over or underactive thyroid)

As you can see from the long list above, magnesium deficiency can cause numerous psychological changes, including depression.
Plasma magnesium levels have been found to be significantly lower in depressed patients than in controls. These levels increased significantly after recovery. So, as you can see, magnesium is one of the natural antidepressants.

According to the studies by George Eby Research:
'Magnesium deficiency is well known to produce neuropathologies. Only 16% of the magnesium found in whole wheat remains in refined flour, and magnesium has been removed from most drinking water supplies, setting a stage for human magnesium deficiency. Magnesium ions regulate calcium ion flow in neuronal calcium channels, helping to regulate neuronal nitric oxide production. In magnesium deficiency, neuronal requirements for magnesium may not be met, causing neuronal damage which could manifest as depression. Magnesium treatment is hypothesized to be effective in treating major depression resulting from intraneuronal magnesium deficits. These magnesium ion neuronal deficits may be induced by stress hormones, excessive dietary calcium as well as dietary deficiencies of magnesium. Case histories are presented showing rapid recovery (less than 7 days) from major depression using 125-300 mg of magnesium (as glycinate and taurinate) with each meal and at bedtime. Magnesium was found usually effective for treatment of depression in general use.'
' Dietary deficiencies of magnesium, coupled with excess calcium and stress may cause many cases of other related symptoms including agitation, anxiety, irritability, confusion, asthenia, sleeplessness, headache, delirium, hallucinations and hyperexcitability, with each of these having been previously documented. The possibility that magnesium deficiency is the cause of most major depression and related mental health problems including IQ loss and addiction is enormously important to public health and is recommended for immediate further study.'

(From the abstract of Rapid recovery from major depression using magnesium treatment by Eby GA, Eby KL. Med Hypotheses. 2006 Mar 14)

What is the solution for magnesium deficiency?

Look out for food containing high amount of magnesium!

NIH (National Institute of Health) has prepared the following food table showing the best sources of magnesium:

Find your favorite magnesium rich foods and include them in your daily diet!  This is the easiest alternative therapy for depression. Learn more about depression diet...

Other possibility is taking magnesium supplements in order to substitute the needs of your system. BUT, remember, not all magnesium supplements are well absorbed. Some of the best forms include: magnesium glycinate, magnesium taurate, magnesium citrate.

NEVER use magnesium glutamate, aspartate, oxide, carbonate or hydroxide which will not work, since they won't be absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract.

Take your magnesium supplements always before (best about an hour before) meals or with meals 2 or 3 or 4 times a day. The daily need for magnesium may vary, can be between 300-900 mg a day. You need to figure out your own exact dosage, which should be the highest dosage that does not produce diarrhoea. If you get diarrhoea you must cut back the dose since diarrhoea prevents the absorptions of minerals and nutritions.

Read about herbs for depression, vitamins for depression and fish oil for depression...

One of the best and fastest depression natural treatment is taking magnesium supplements. It can ease your depression within a week.

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