2024-08-14 13:18:34
Is magnesium a more effective treatment for depression than psychotropic drugs?
Depression affects more than 350 million adults worldwide. Despite their limited effectiveness, more and more people are taking antidepressants, which are often expensive and have many side effects. Faced with the ineffectiveness of these treatments, it becomes critical to find safer and more effective alternatives.
Magnesium: a promising alternative
Magnesium is attracting increasing attention as a potentially beneficial treatment for people with depression. More than 600 studies have examined the link between mental health and magnesium, but most human studies are of poor quality. However, a study published in PLOS stand out. This is a randomized clinical trial looking at the effects of magnesium on depression.
Clinical Study: Magnesium Fights Depression
In this study, 126 outpatients diagnosed with mild to moderate depression were recruited. Participants had an average age of 52 years and were predominantly female (62%). To assess symptom severity, patients completed the PHQ-9 questionnaire at the beginning of the study. The participants were then divided into two groups: one received 248 mg of magnesium chloride daily and the other received a placebo for six weeks.
Researchers monitored patients’ progress twice a week and compared initial results with those obtained at the end of the study. They also measured participants’ anxiety levels, their compliance with treatment, side effects and their willingness to continue taking magnesium.
Promising results: Rapid improvement of symptoms
The results showed that patients who took magnesium regularly experienced a 6-point reduction in depressive symptoms on the PHQ-9 scale and a significant reduction in anxiety. Additionally, 61% of participants expressed a willingness to continue using magnesium after the trial ended.
These results are all the more striking because the beneficial effects of magnesium were observed after only two weeks of treatment. The study concluded that magnesium is effective in treating mild to moderate depression in adults, with rapid onset of action and good tolerability, without requiring close monitoring for toxicity.
Comparison with traditional antidepressants
To put the study’s results into perspective, it’s important to note that traditional antidepressants only improved patients’ PHQ-9 scores by an average of 5 points, while magnesium improved them by 6 points. This suggests that magnesium may be a more effective treatment for depression than existing medications.
Another important point to consider is that most people taking antidepressant medications stop treatment within the first four weeks due to side effects, whereas more than half of the participants in the magnesium study were willing to continue treatment after the first six weeks.
Magnesium benefits extend beyond depression
Magnesium is one of the most important minerals for the proper functioning of the body. It is involved in more than 300 enzymatic reactions, and without it, cells cannot produce energy. Additionally, magnesium is essential for the synthesis of the feel-good hormone dopamine. Over the past 40 years, approximately 2,000 studies on the effects of magnesium have been published each year, revealing more than 100 health benefits.
Common diseases related to magnesium deficiency
Some of the most common diseases associated with magnesium deficiency include:
Fibromyalgia : Supplementing magnesium and malic acid can significantly reduce pain and sensitivity.atrial fibrillation : Studies show that magnesium, alone or in combination with other medications, can reduce atrial fibrillation.type 2 diabetes : A large proportion of patients with type 2 diabetes are deficient in magnesium, and magnesium supplementation can help improve insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism.premenstrual syndrome : Magnesium, especially when combined with vitamin B6, helps relieve anxiety associated with premenstrual symptoms.cardiovascular disease : Magnesium deficiency is common in patients with severe cardiovascular disease.Migraine : Magnesium supplementation may reduce the frequency of migraines, especially when combined with L-carnitine.aging : Magnesium is essential for DNA synthesis, and a lack of magnesium will accelerate aging.
Food sources rich in magnesium
Although magnesium supplements have no side effects, the best way to enjoy its benefits is to eat foods rich in this mineral. Green vegetables have the highest magnesium content, but other colorful fruits and vegetables also contain significant amounts of magnesium. The best food sources of magnesium include:
vegetable : Dried kelp, leeks, onions, spinach, etc.seafood : Raw salmon, blue crab, tuna, etc.fruit : Banana, dried apricot, kiwi, etc.cereals : Millet, brown rice, oats.seeds and nuts : Pumpkin seeds, almonds, cashews.spices : Chives, cilantro, basil.Others : Raw cocoa powder, soy flour, lentils.
Recommended daily intake
The National Institutes of Health recommends that adults consume at least 400 milligrams of magnesium daily. However, most people only consume an average of 200 milligrams. Magnesium has many benefits and low toxicity, making it an attractive option for treating depression and other mental disorders.
In summary, magnesium offers a promising and potentially more effective alternative to traditional antidepressant medications. Its ability to quickly improve symptoms of depression, coupled with its many health benefits, makes it a great addition to a healthy lifestyle.
source: daily health post website
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