If You Feel Anxious, You Might Be Deficient In This Nutrient

Woman eating her nails becouse of stressAnxiety affects nearly 30% of people during their life and involves vague feelings of distress, or fear about the future, that is over and above the ‘normal’ amount of apprehension we might feel in any given situation.

Rather than turning to prescription medication, many people try natural solutions first and there are many natural remedies and herbs available which may be useful for reducing feelings of anxiety.

It’s a known fact, however, that Magnesium deficiency can be an underlying cause of anxiety, so any medication might only have limited results until the underlying mineral deficiency is corrected.

Research on Magnesium for anxiety

Anxiety levels were surveyed in a large group of University students (during exams), and the findings were that anxiety increased the excretion of Magnesium via the urine and that low Magnesium levels were linked to higher levels of anxiety.

Numerous studies link anxiety and stress to Magnesium requirements. Researchers believe Magnesium is important because it supports the ‘calming’ neurotransmitters in our brain like GABA, which has a relaxing and soothing effect on our nervous system.

Magnesium is essential for a healthy functioning nervous system. Research has shown that Magnesium deficiency may be an underlying cause of nervous tension. In addition, it seems that stress and anxiety deplete our body’s Magnesium levels, making it even more important to have optimum Magnesium levels during times of stress and anxiety.

How much Magnesium should I take?

It really depends on your Magnesium Status and how depleted your Magnesium levels are. A therapeutic dose of Magnesium to correct a deficiency might require at least 400mg of elemental Magnesium (remember “elemental” means available not just quantity) in the highly bioavailable form. A healthcare professional can give the correct Magnesium dose for your individual needs and you can take the Magnesium Minute Survey to find out if you have a Magnesium requirement.

 

References
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Golf SW et al. On the significance of magnesium in extreme physical stress.  Cardiovasc Drugs Ther.  12(Supplement 2):197-202, 1998.
Gueux E. et al.  Electromyographic changes associated with high level of magnesium in drinking-water.  Magnesium Bull.  2:154-156, 1982.
Hanus M et al.  Double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a fixed combination containing two plant extracts (Crataegus oxyacantha and Eschscholtzia californica) and magnesium in mild-to-moderate anxiety disorders.  Curr Med Res Opin.  20(1):63-71, 2004.
Johnson S et al.  The multifaceted and widespread pathology of magnesium deficiency.  Medical Hypotheses.  56(2):163-170, 2001.
Meletis CD et al.  Mental health:  not all in the mind – really a matter of cellular biochemistry.  Alternative & Complementary Therapies.  February 2004:39-42.
Poleszak E et al.  Benzodiazepine/GABA(A) receptors are involved in magnesium-induced anxiolytic-like behavior in mice.  Pharmacol Rep.  60(4):483-489, 2008.
Poleszak E et al.  Antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like activity of magnesium in mice.  Pharmacol Biochem Behav.  78(1):7-12, 2004.
South J.  Magnesium – the underappreciated mineral of life.  Part 1.  Vitamin Research News.  September 1997