Magnesium plays a role in hundreds of your metabolic functions, and it is required for the transport of other minerals, such as potassium and calcium into your neurological cell membranes. Deficiency of magnesium can result in a variety of health complications that impact your mood, behavior, muscle coordination and heart. The neurological psychiatric condition, schizophrenia, is thought to be impacted by low magnesium levels. However, the exact link is unknown and research is ongoing.
About Schizophrenia
About 1 percent of the American population is diagnosed with schizophrenia, notes the National Institute of Mental Health. It is a chronic and severe condition impairing the way a person perceives the world altering cognitive and emotional functions. Hallucinations, such as hearing, tasting or seeing things that others do not and delusions, or false beliefs, are called positive symptoms. Poor social skills, emotional blunting and the inability to take pleasure in life are called the negative symptoms of schizophrenia. The exact cause of this condition is not fully understood, but scientists believe an imbalance in brain chemicals, namely dopamine and glutamate, play a significant role. Other theories include nutrient deficiency, like that of magnesium, which may inadvertently impact the dopamine and glutamate systems.
Magnesium and Schizophrenia Research
Research making a direct link between low magnesium levels increasing schizophrenia risk is sparse and studies are ongoing. A 2004 study published in the "Journal of the American College of Nutrition" investigated the influence of antipsychotic medications common for treating schizophrenia and the connection to increasing magnesium plasma levels in diagnosed subjects. The study found that during acute episodes of psychosis in schizophrenia, magnesium levels were decreased and the administration of antipsychotic medications enhanced magnesium cell levels but not overall plasma magnesium. This resulted in symptom improvement but only with the administration of medication. This study built upon previous hypotheses proposed in a 1990 study published in "Neuropsychobiology," which noted that low levels of magnesium exacerbates paranoia and hallucinations in schizophrenia.
Magnesium For Schizophrenia
Too little evidence exists to suggest you should add magnesium supplements to your diet if you have schizophrenia. However, consultation with your physician can help you determine the best course of treatment for your symptoms. In addition to antipsychotic medications, which tend to be most effective for reducing symptom incidence and duration, other treatment options can help you manage life with schizophrenia. Psychosocial treatment to improve social skills and cognitive behavioral therapy to change maladaptive thinking patterns and behavior are successful adjunct therapies for managing positive and negative symptoms.
Daily Magnesium Intake
Dietary habits play a role in overall mental and physical wellness. Magnesium is an essential mineral needed by your body on a daily basis to function. The recommended daily intake for adults is 320 mg for women and 420 mg for men. A well-balanced diet that includes whole grains, such as brown rice or bran cereal, nuts, leafy green vegetables and beans can provide you with your daily intake of magnesium. Consult your physician for supplement recommendations if you do not eat enough of these foods to get adequate magnesium intake.
References
- "Journal of the American College of Nutrition"; The Influence of Some Antipsychotics on Erythrocyte Magnesium and Plasma Magnesium ... ; Mihai Nechifor, et al; 2004
- "Journal of Young Investigators"; Aetiology of Schizophrenia; The Neural Supernova Hypothesis; Aaron Clarke, et al; September 2004
- National Institute of Mental Health: Schizophrenia
- "Neuropsychobiology"; Magnesium, Schizophrenia and Manic-Depressive Disease; G.K. Kirov, et al; 1990
- Oregon State University Linus Pauling Institute: Magnesium
- MedlinePlus: Magnesium in Diet
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