Magnesium is one of the most important elements in the human body and is involved in many biochemical processes that are essential for the proper functioning of the cardiovascular, digestive, endocrine and osteoarticular systems. It also plays a vital modulatory role in brain biochemistry, influencing several neurotransmission pathways associated with the development of depression. Personality changes, including apathy, depression, agitation, confusion, anxiety and delirium, are observed when this element is deficient. Rodents fed a magnesium-deficient diet showed depressive behavior, which was reversed by antidepressants. Poor nutrition, gastrointestinal and renal diseases, insulin resistance and/or type 2 diabetes, alcoholism, stress and certain medications can lead to magnesium deficiency. Since extracellular concentrations of magnesium ions do not necessarily reflect intracellular levels, none of the current methods for assessing magnesium status are considered satisfactory. The mood-enhancing potential of magnesium compounds has been demonstrated in a number of preclinical and clinical studies. Magnesium supplementation appears to be well tolerated and enhances the efficacy of conventional antidepressant treatments, and as such may be a valuable adjunct to standard treatments for depression, although differences in the bioavailability of inorganic and organic compounds must be taken into account.
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27910808/
