Effect of magnesium supplementation on depression status in depressed patients with magnesium deficiency: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine the effect of magnesium supplementation on depression status in magnesium-deficient depressed patients.
Results Summary
Magnesium supplementation (500 mg/day) significantly improved serum magnesium levels and reduced depression scores more than placebo, with 88.5% of the treatment group achieving normal magnesium levels versus 48.1% in the placebo group.
Population
60 depressed patients with hypomagnesemia.
Effective Dosage
500 mg magnesium oxide daily (two 250-mg tablets).
Duration
8 weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
two 250-mg tablets of magnesium oxide daily | increase | magnesium level | depressed patients suffering from hypomagnesemia | 88.5% | had a normal level | #1 |
placebo | increase | magnesium level | depressed patients suffering from hypomagnesemia | 48.1% | had a normal level | #2 |
two 250-mg tablets of magnesium oxide daily | increase | mean changes of serum magnesium | depressed patients suffering from hypomagnesemia | - | significantly different | #3 |
two 250-mg tablets of magnesium oxide daily | decrease | mean Beck score | depressed patients suffering from hypomagnesemia | 15.65 ± 8.9 reduction | significantly declined | #4 |
placebo | decrease | mean Beck score | depressed patients suffering from hypomagnesemia | 10.40 ± 7.9 | declined | #5 |
Daily consumption of 500 mg magnesium oxide tablets for ≥8 wk | decrease | depression status | depressed patients suffering from magnesium deficiency | - | leads to improvements | #6 |
Daily consumption of 500 mg magnesium oxide tablets for ≥8 wk | increase | magnesium levels | depressed patients suffering from magnesium deficiency | - | leads to improvements | #7 |
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of magnesium supplementation on the depression status of depressed patients suffering from magnesium deficiency. METHODS: Sixty depressed people suffering from hypomagnesemia participated in this trial. The individuals were randomly categorized into two groups of 30 members; one receiving two 250-mg tablets of magnesium oxide (MG) daily and the other receiving placebo (PG) for 8 wk. The Beck Depression Inventory-II was conducted and the concentration of serum magnesium was measured. RESULTS: At the end of intervention, 88.5% of the MG and 48.1% of the PG (P = 0.002) had a normal level of magnesium. The mean changes of serum magnesium were significantly different across the two groups. After the intervention, the mean Beck score significantly declined. However, in the MG, this reduction was more significant than in the PG (P = 0.02), so that the mean changes in this group experienced 15.65 ± 8.9 reduction, but in the PG, it declined by 10.40 ± 7.9. CONCLUSIONS: Daily consumption of 500 mg magnesium oxide tablets for ≥8 wk by depressed patients suffering from magnesium deficiency leads to improvements in depression status and magnesium levels. Therefore, assessment of the magnesium serum and resolving this deficiency positively influence the treatment of depressed patients.