Magnesium Nutrition Improves Mental Health

Magnesium Nutrition Improves Mood and Mental Health.

Medical Expert, Dr. Carolyn Dean, MD, ND says Magnesium supplementation can improve mood and general well being.

Los Angeles, CA, May 12, 2010 – May is Mental Health Month and what better way to celebrate than to ensure you take care of your mental health naturally. Magnesium is just such a natural mineral than can help.

As Dr. Dean shared, “A deficiency of magnesium magnifies depression and stress. Serotonin, the feel good brain chemical that is boosted artificially by some medications, depends on magnesium for its production and function. A person that is going through a stressful period without sufficient magnesium can set up a deficit that, if not corrected, can linger, causing depression and further health problems.”

Magnesium deficiency can be an underlying cause of anxiety and depression, as determined in several clinical trials as referenced in the following:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16542786?ordinalpos=6&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

Dr. Dean added, “Symptoms of chronic magnesium deficiency include paranoia, anxious behavior, depression, hyperemotionality, apprehension, confusion, anger, nervousness, insomnia, and nervous fits to name a few.”

An important study in 1995 showed that even marginal magnesium deficiency could induce the brain to become hyperexcitable, as shown by EEG measurements. The study lasted six months, with thirteen women ingesting a total of 115 milligrams of magnesium daily, only 30 percent of the RDA, for the first three months, during which time their EEGs showed hyperexcitability. During the second three months, they received 315 mg daily—a little closer to the 360 mg RDA recommended for women. However, even on this low dose of magnesium (315 mg), it took only six weeks for EEG readings to show significant improvement in brain function and decreased excitability.

Dr. Dean also revealed that hypoglycemia is another factor which affects mental health. ”When you are hungry or skip meals, you lower your blood sugar. The brain becomes extremely vulnerable to excitotoxins during episodes of low blood sugar or hypoglycemia. Pound for pound, the brain uses more blood sugar than any other part of the body. Low blood sugar occurs when you are malnourished or even when you skip meals. It also occurs in individuals whose adrenal glands are depleted and can’t mount the necessary adrenaline response to raise blood sugar when it gets too low. Magnesium is responsible for balancing blood sugar. With sufficient magnesium and balanced meals to prevent low blood sugar, you can protect yourself against depression, anxiety and mood disorders. Supporting the brain as much as possible with safe nutrients and a safe environment, you may never need the brain-altering medications that are prescribed for these disorders.”

Stress is so prevalent in our daily life that we have become desensitized to it and the message it is trying to give us, which is to slow down.

Magnesium is the anti-stress mineral and is known to alleviate stress, depression, anxiety and insomnia something we all need in these tough and stressful economic times. One of the most absorbable forms of nutritional magnesium is magnesium citrate powder which can be taken with hot or cold water.

Health expert, Carolyn Dean, M.D., N.D., is the Medical Director of the Nutritional Magnesium Association and the author of “The Magnesium Miracle”. Dr. Dean invites you to get more information that will help you avoid the risk factors of stress and depression. Go to www.nutritionalmagnesium.org

Medical Disclaimer:

The ideas, procedures and suggestions contained in this press release are not intended as a substitute for consulting with your physician. All matters regarding your physical health require medical supervision. Neither the author nor the publisher shall be liable or responsible for any loss, injury or damage allegedly arising from any information or suggestion in this article. The opinions expressed in this article represent the personal views of the author and not the publisher.

Contact:

Boris Levitsky

info (at) nutritionalmagnesium(dot)org