Depression is a serious mental illness that can wreak havoc on your life. People with depression often experience difficulty functioning in everyday life and suffer from a depressed mood and a lowered quality of life. Certain dietary supplements, such as magnesium taurate, may help improve depressive symptoms. Consult your doctor before using any dietary supplement.
About Magnesium Taurate
Magnesium taurate is an easily absorbed form of magnesium, where magnesium is chemically combined with the amino acid taurate. According to the Schacter Center for Complementary Medicine, magnesium taurate is a particularly beneficial supplement because you obtain the relaxing, calming effects of magnesium on the nervous system as well as the heart-strengthening benefits of taurine. Additionally, magnesium and taurine are important for a number of biological processes. Magnesium helps with more than 300 different enzymatic interactions in your body and helps maintain normal heart functioning. The amino acid taurine is a building block for proteins and helps regulate heartbeat and helps with neurotransmission in your brain, according to Tufts Medical Center. Because it is chemically manufactured, magnesium taurate is only available as a dietary supplement and is not found naturally in dietary sources.
Depression Facts
Depression is one of the world's biggest health problems. It affects approximately 121 million people worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. While there are several types of clinical depression, they share similar symptoms such as lowered mood, crying spells, tearfulness, irritability, low self-esteem, a lack of interest in previously enjoyed activities, sleep difficulties and appetite disturbances. Depression is generally treated with antidepressant medications and psychotherapy. However, increasing concern over the unpleasant side effects associated with certain medications has lead to growing interest in the potential benefits of dietary supplements, such as magnesium taurate, on depression.
Benefits and Clinical Evidence
According to Dr. James Greenblatt in his book, "The Breakthrough Depression Solution," taking a magnesium taurate supplement of 125 to 300 mg with each meal and at bedtime may help alleviate depression symptoms and improve sleep quality. An article published in the April 2010 issue of the journal, "Medical Hypotheses" suggests that magnesium deficiency is often found in patients with major depression, and supplementation may be a beneficial solution for those with treatment-resistant depression. In fact, according to the article, 60% of clinical depression cases are thought to be treatment-resistant. Another study, published in the December 2004 issue of the journal, "Neuropharmacology," showed that magnesium-deficient laboratory rats exhibited more depressive-like symptoms. However, more clinical studies are needed to fully evaluate the benefits of magnesium and its alternative forms, such as magnesium taurate, on depression.
Considerations
While magnesium and magnesium taurate may have helpful effects on depression, clinical evidence proving their benefits are still limited. Do not use magnesium taurate as a replacement for conventional medical care. If you think you may be depressed, consult your doctor. Depression can worsen if not properly treated. As with any dietary supplement, inform your doctor before using magnesium taurate, especially if you have a medical condition or take any prescription or over-the-counter medications.
References
- Schachter Center for Complementary Medicine: The Importance of Magnesium to Human Nutrition
- Tufts Medical Center: Taurine
- World Health Organization: Depression
- "The Breakthrough Depression Solution"; James Greenblatt, MD; 2011
- "Medical Hypotheses"; Magnesium for Treatment-Resistant Depression; G. Eby and K. Eby; April 2010
- "Neuropharmacology"; Magnesium-Deficient Diet...; N. Singewald, et al; Dec. 2004
