Role of magnesium supplementation in the treatment of depression: A randomized clinical trial – an article from Plos One.
Although this journal article does not specifically address magnesium’s role in cancer, I would be remiss if I did not include this article in the May issue.
According to the World Health Organization, 350 million people worldwide suffer from depression, and depression is a leading cause of disability. Many, if not most patients suffering from cancer, experience anxiety and depression. Unfortunately, many of the commonly used antidepressants are often not effective for individuals, and there is even a risk that these drugs can worsen depression, and even cause suicidal ideation.
What is particularly exciting about this study is that magnesium was effective in improving scores in patients who were already using pharmacologic antidepressants. It would be interesting to see a study comparing magnesium to SSRIs, but that study will of course never receive funding.
Cancer patients who are using opiates commonly suffer from constipation, so the use of magnesium citrate can help with constipation and depression/anxiety simultaneously.
Although in this study, the investigators used magnesium chloride, I prefer to use magnesium glycinate for patients without constipation, because of the calming effect of glycine on the CNS. If constipation is an issue, I prefer magnesium citrate.
Keep in mind that in this study, they used 248 mg of elemental magnesium per day. Magnesium citrate contains 16% elemental magnesium and magnesium glycinate contains 14% elemental magnesium, so when you prescribe it, be sure your calculations are correct.
healthyliving March 13th, 2019
Tags: antidepressants, clinical trial, depression, depression treatment, magnesium, magnesium supplement, trial
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Dr. Mark Rosenberg received his doctorate from Georgetown University School of Medicine in 1988 and has been involved with drug research since 1991.