How will magnesium help you cope with depression?

Depression is a global problem with far-reaching consequences. More than 350 million people worldwide suffer from mental illness, according to the Science Daily, and many of those who have been diagnosed with this are turning to prescription drugs, therapies and other forms of treatment. Unfortunately, some of these drugs and treatments are too expensive for depressed people, so the researchers decided to look for an affordable alternative. As it turned out, it is a microelement that can be taken on a daily basis.

How magnesium affects our health

For a long time it was believed that magnesium has a positive effect on bone health, increases energy levels and even reduces anxiety. But now, thanks to Emily Tarleton - the head of research at the Clinical Center of the University of Vermont - the list of beneficial magnesium benefits for our health can add to the fight against depression.

Features of the study

In a study whose results were published in the journal PLoS One, Tarleton and her colleagues examined various magnesium supplements and how they can potentially affect a person with moderate depression. For six weeks, scientists daily given 248 milligrams of magnesium to more than one hundred adult participants who were diagnosed with moderate depression. They evaluated the symptoms of depression in participants every two weeks.

At the conclusion of the study, the researchers found that participants who took an oral magnesium supplement reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety. In fact, some participants saw an improvement in their condition in just two weeks. Moreover, based on the data obtained, it can be concluded that magnesium was well tolerated by the body and did not cause side effects in participants regardless of their age, sex and any other medications.

What conclusions did the scientists

Ultimately, the Tarleton study shows that magnesium is just as useful for people with depression as antidepressants. "This is the first randomized clinical trial that examined the effect of magnesium supplements on depression symptoms in adult Americans," Tarlton told the Science Daily. "His results are very encouraging, given the enormous need for additional treatments for depression. We concluded that magnesium supplements are a safe and inexpensive alternative that quickly fights with depressive symptoms, "she added.

It sounds promising not only because this study showed how magnesium copes with depression. In fact, this is one of the few studies that have ever studied how magnesium can change mood. That is why Tarlton hopes to carry it on a wider scale in the future. And, as experts say, not all procedures aimed at treating depression work the same for everyone, so it is very important to consult a doctor about the treatment option that is right for you.