Magnesium and depression

{{Orphan|date=February 2017}}

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.{{cite web |title=Magnesium |url=https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/ |website=Office of Dietary Supplements }} It is necessary for the functioning of every organ, for the makeup of teeth and bones, and for metabolic processes.{{MedlinePlusEncyclopedia|000315|Magnesium deficiency}} Magnesium can not be produced by the human body, and can only be obtained through dietary means.{{cite journal |last1=Ford |first1=Earl S. |last2=Mokdad |first2=Ali H. |title=Dietary Magnesium Intake in a National Sample of U.S. Adults |journal=The Journal of Nutrition |date=1 September 2003 |volume=133 |issue=9 |pages=2879–2882 |doi=10.1093/jn/133.9.2879 |pmid=12949381 |doi-access=free }}

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. A majority of people surveyed in the United States report lower daily intakes of magnesium than what is recommended. 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.

Low serum magnesium has been linked to depressive symptoms.{{cite journal |last1=Tarleton |first1=Emily K. |last2=Kennedy |first2=Amanda G. |last3=Rose |first3=Gail L. |last4=Crocker |first4=Abigail |last5=Littenberg |first5=Benjamin |title=The Association between Serum Magnesium Levels and Depression in an Adult Primary Care Population |journal=Nutrients |date=28 June 2019 |volume=11 |issue=7 |pages=1475 |doi=10.3390/nu11071475 |pmid=31261707 |pmc=6683054 |doi-access=free }} Magnesium affects the Hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis in the brain, which controls the stress response system and therefore, anxiety and depression.{{cite journal |last1=Sartori |first1=S. B. |last2=Whittle |first2=N. |last3=Hetzenauer |first3=A. |last4=Singewald |first4=N. |title=Magnesium deficiency induces anxiety and HPA axis dysregulation: Modulation by therapeutic drug treatment |journal=Neuropharmacology |date=1 January 2012 |volume=62 |issue=1 |pages=304–312 |doi=10.1016/j.neuropharm.2011.07.027 |pmid=21835188 |pmc=3198864 }} Tentative data indicate that oral magnesium supplementation may be effective for treating mild to moderate adult depression.{{cite journal |last1=Tarleton |first1=Emily K. |last2=Littenberg |first2=Benjamin |last3=MacLean |first3=Charles D. |last4=Kennedy |first4=Amanda G. |last5=Daley |first5=Christopher |title=Role of magnesium supplementation in the treatment of depression: A randomized clinical trial |journal=PLOS ONE |date=27 June 2017 |volume=12 |issue=6 |pages=e0180067 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0180067 |pmid=28654669 |pmc=5487054 |bibcode=2017PLoSO..1280067T |doi-access=free }}

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.{{cite book |last1=Eby |first1=George A. |last2=Eby |first2=Karen L. |last3=Murck |first3=Harald |chapter=Magnesium and major depression |pages=313–330 |jstor=10.20851/j.ctt1t3055m.27 |pmid=29920018 |chapter-url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507265/ |editor1-first=Robert |editor1-last=Vink |editor2-first=Mihai |editor2-last=Nechifor |title=Magnesium in the Central Nervous System |date=2011 |publisher=University of Adelaide Press |isbn=978-0-9870730-6-8 }}{{cite journal |last1=Derom |first1=Marie-Laure |last2=Sayón-Orea |first2=Carmen |last3=Martínez-Ortega |first3=José María |last4=Martínez-González |first4=Miguel A. |title=Magnesium and depression: a systematic review |journal=Nutritional Neuroscience |date=September 2013 |volume=16 |issue=5 |pages=191–206 |doi=10.1179/1476830512Y.0000000044 |pmid=23321048 |s2cid=206849171 }}

Excessive magnesium intake from dietary supplements or medications can cause magnesium toxicity. 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.