Magnesium is an essential macromineral required for normal human metabolic function and in this role is required for correct function of over 300 different enzymes. A role for magnesium in brain health has been identified and deficiencies of magnesium affect neuronal function and may be a cause of depression. In this regard magnesium has been used to treat depression since the 1920s. Stress is known to deplete plasma magnesium concentrations, and stress is also associated with the development of depression. Further it is known that the diets of Westerners are generally devoid of adequate levels of magnesium, as magnesium is found mainly in plant foods and such foods are not commonly consumed as part of the Western diet. Therefore, supplementation of such individuals with magnesium may prove beneficial at reversing the mood disorders that may be due to low intakes of magnesium. One study reported on the successful treatment of a male individual in a case study of magnesium monotherapy.
Other case studies were also presented by the same authors. This included the treatment of a 23 year old woman who had suffered a traumatic brain injury and as a result who had developed depression and memory loss. After 1 week of treatment with 200 mg per day of magnesium taurinate, the women became free of depression and her memory was restored. A 35 year old woman with a history of postpartum depression was administered 200 mg per day of magnesium as magnesium glycinate and suffered no depressive symptoms with the birth of her third child. A 40 year old man with anxiety and irritability took 125 mg per day of magnesium as magnesium taurinate and this completely relieved his symptoms and stabilised his mood. He also lost his cravings for illicit drugs and lost his nervous appetite. Magnesium supplements therefore appear to have beneficial effects at elevating mood and reducing depressive symptoms.
Following a disrupted few month of personal problem, a 59 year old male individual became seriously depressed, anxious, tetanic and suicidal. The male subject had previously had a long history of mild depression, but the events in his life had caused his depression to become much worse. He had previously taken antidepressant drugs to help his depression. He did not respond to treatment with antidepressants or lithium, and so was given 300 mg of magnesium per day in the form of magnesium glycinate and then magnesium taurinate. The sleep of the man was restored by the magnesium, and depression was greatly reduced for 4 to 6 hours after each administration of the mineral. His tetany and headaches also disappeared. When the subject consumed calcium including dairy foods, his depression would return, only to be reduced again by consumption of magnesium. As calcium can antagonise absorption and metabolism of magnesium, this may explain this observation of a detrimental effect of calcium.
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