Modern food processing techniques have given modern man an abundance of convenient and tasty foods to eat. Unfortunately, these benefits come with a cost. According to an article in "Medical Hypotheses," processed foods frequently have much of the magnesium refined out of them, leaving many people with low levels of a nutrient that could play a role in combating depression.
Animal Models of Depression
A 2008 article in "Pharmacological Reports" states that magnesium exhibits antidepressant activity in mice and rats subjected to tail suspension and forced-swim tests, which often elicit symptoms of depression. According to this paper, animal studies indicate that magnesium enhances the effects of medications used to treat this disorder. Other research indicates that magnesium exerts its antidepressant effects by acting on the serotonergic system.
Magnesium Levels in Humans and Depression
Results of a study published in the September 2009 issue of "Magnesium Research" indicated that patients with severe major depression showed lower levels of magnesium than controls. A 2010 study published in "Biological Trace Elements Research" confirmed this earlier finding: even women without diagnosed psychiatric disorders scored higher on tests measuring depression if their magnesium levels were low.
Magnesium Supplementation and Depression
Magnesium can be as effective as the antidepressant imiprimine in elderly patients with low magnesium levels, according to a 2008 study published in "Magnesium Research."
A 2010 article in "Medical Hypotheses" noted that a 1921 study of 250 depressed patients found that 220 of them improved after being given magnesium. The authors also mentioned that cerebrospinal fluid levels of magnesium were low in patients with treatment-resistant depression who had attempted suicide or were at risk of doing so. Additionally, inadequate brain levels of magnesium appear to reduce serotonin in the brain.
Recommended Daily Allowances and Cautions
According to the Mayo Clinic website, adult and teenage males should get between 270 and 400 mg of magnesium per day, while adult and teenage females should get between 280 and 300 mg per day. Pregnant women should get up to 320 mg per day, while breastfeeding women need up to 355 mg.
As with any nutrient, high doses can cause side effects. A frequent sign of excess magnesium intake is diarrhea. The website cautions against mixing magnesium with drugs like quinine and digoxin. Additionally, patients with disorders involving the heart or kidney are urged to consult their physicians before taking magnesium.
References
- "Pharmacological Reports"; Antidepressant Activity of Zinc and Magnesium in View of the Current Hypotheses of Antidepressant Action; B. Szewczyk, et al.; September -- October 2008
- "Journal of Neural Transmission"; Modulation of Antidepressant-like Activity of Magnesium by Serotonergic System; E. Poleszak; September 2007
- "Magnesium Research"; Magnesium in Major Depression; M. Nechifor; September 2009
- "Biological Trace Elements Research"; Association of Serum Ca and Mg Levels With Mental Health in Adult Women Without Pyschiatric Disorders; K.I. Jung; February 2010
- "Magnesium Research"; Efficacy and safety of oral magnesium supplementation in the treatment of depression in the elderly with type 2 diabetes: a randomized, equivalent trial; L. Barragán-Rodríguez; December 2008
- "Medical Hypotheses"; Magnesium for Treatment-Resistant Depression: A Review and Hypothesis; G.A. Eby; 2010
