Magnesium has received a lot of attention recently as a potential treatment for anxiety, with social media influencers on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Twitter flooding the internet with viral reels and posts reporting significantly improved mental health after taking magnesium supplements and positive experiences with this important nutrient’s effectiveness in reducing symptoms of anxiety. As a natural supplement, magnesium may be appealing for those looking for non-pharmaceutical options to manage anxiety, and a 2017 study also found that the nutrient appears to have beneficial effects on anxiety, although the quality of the evidence is mixed and more research is needed.
In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Subrata Das, Head, Department of Internal Medicine and Diabetes, Sakra World Hospital, Bangalore, said, “Magnesium is essential for many bodily functions, but many people do not get enough of it in their diet. Around 60 per cent is stored in the bones and the rest in muscles, tissues and fluids. Magnesium supports around 600 metabolic processes, including energy production, protein synthesis, gene maintenance, muscle function and nerve regulation.”
He enthused: “Magnesium controls cortisol levels, has a relaxing effect, and reduces stress by easing muscle tension. Magnesium deficiency can lead to headaches and poor sleep due to its function in GABA regulation. A 2023 study found that magnesium supplements significantly improved sleep in older adults, highlighting its role in stress management, sleep quality and metabolic health.”
Dr Subrata Das emphasised that for those who are magnesium deficient, supplements can reduce the frequency of migraines and help in weight management by lowering BMI, but warned, “However, it is important that supplements are used under medical supervision as excess intake can have adverse effects. If magnesium levels exceed normal levels, it can result in hypermagnesemia, which can lead to symptoms like weakness, fatigue, confusion, slowed breathing and irregular heartbeat.”
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