The relationship between magnesium deficiency and anxiety, the therapeutic effects of magnesium supplementation – literature review

RUKAT, Mateusz, PRZYBOROWSKA, Kinga, KWIECIEŃ, Justyna, GETKA, Beata, WIEJAK, Katarzyna and ŁATA, Michał. The relationship between magnesium deficiency and anxiety, the therapeutic effects of magnesium supplementation – literature review. Journal of Education, Health and Sport. 2024;53:91-101. eISSN 2391-8306. https://dx.doi.org/10.12775/JEHS.2024.53.007

https://apcz.umk.pl/JEHS/article/view/47803

https://zenodo.org/records/10522639

The journal has had 40 points in Ministry of Education and Science of Poland parametric evaluation. Annex to the announcement of the Minister of Education and Science of 05.01.2024 No. 32318. Has a Journal's Unique Identifier: 201159. Scientific disciplines assigned: Physical culture sciences (Field of medical and health sciences); Health Sciences (Field of medical and health sciences).

Punkty Ministerialne z 2019 - aktualny rok 40 punktów. Załącznik do komunikatu Ministra Edukacji i Nauki z dnia 05.01.2024 Lp. 32318. Posiada Unikatowy Identyfikator Czasopisma: 201159. Przypisane dyscypliny naukowe:  Nauki o kulturze fizycznej (Dziedzina nauk medycznych i nauk o zdrowiu); Nauki o zdrowiu (Dziedzina nauk medycznych i nauk o zdrowiu).

© The Authors 2024;

This article is published with open access at Licensee Open Journal Systems of Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Poland

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Received: 04.01.2024. Revised: 06.01.2024. Accepted: 16.01.2024. Published: 17.01.2024.

The relationship between magnesium deficiency and anxiety, the therapeutic effects of magnesium supplementation – literature review

Mateusz Rukat:
Mazowiecki Szpital Wojewódzki im. św. Jana Pawła II w Siedlcach
26 Poniatowskiego Street, 08-110 Siedlce
https://orcid.org/0009-0003-7742-6499, e-mail: mateuszrukat97@gmail.com

Kinga Przyborowska:
The National Institute of Medicine of the Ministry of Interior and Administration
137 Wołoska Street, 02-507 Warszawa
https://orcid.org/0009-0009-8320-1580, e-mail: kmprzyborowska@gmail.com

Justyna Kwiecień:
Powiatowe Centrum Medyczne w Grójcu
10 Piotra Skargi Street, 05-600 Grójec
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1969-209X, e-mail: kwiecien.jstn@gmail.com

Beata Getka:
Wojskowy Instytut Medyczny
123 Szaserów Street, 04-349 Warszawa
https://orcid.org/0009-0004-1951-7680, e-mail: beata.getka@gmail.com

Katarzyna Wiejak:
Medical University of Warsaw, UCK WUM
1A Banacha Street, 02-097 Warszawa
https://orcid.org/0009-0006-2128-7612, e-mail: kasia.wiejak@gmail.com

Michał Łata:
Powiatowe Centrum Medyczne w Grójcu
10 Piotra Skargi Street, 05-600 Grójec
https://orcid.org/0009-0001-0462-1141, e- mail: michal.lataa@gmail.com

Abstract

Introduction and purpose: The main aim of our study is to summarise existing knowledge and draw conclusions about the impact of magnesium deficiency on the occurrence of anxiety.

Methodology: The literature available in the National Library of Medicine database at https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov and Google Scholar was reviewed. Articles were searched by using keywords: magnesium, deficiency, supplementation, anxiety disorders. Forty-seven research papers and meta-analyses were analysed.

Description of the state of knowledge: Magnesium is an extremely important mineral in the human body involved in many physiological processes. A deficiency of this element affects the whole body and can cause mental disorders - including anxiety disorders. There are many theories showing a link between magnesium and anxiety disorders in both humans and animals. Magnesium has been shown to influence the function of neurotransmitters affecting the experience of anxiety. Supplementation in people with hypomagnesaemia has been proven to improve their health and well-being. However, it should be noted that supplements on the market vary in the bioavailability of the mineral, and the frequency of intake and dosage also affect the bioavailability of magnesium.

Conclusions: It is important to ensure adequate levels of magnesium in the diet, given its impact on the proper functioning of the human body (including the nervous system) and the fact that most people consume insufficient amounts of this macronutrient. Evidence of a link between magnesium levels and anxiety has led to increased interest in the potential efficacy of magnesium supplementation to alleviate anxiety symptoms.

Key words: magnesium; deficiency; anxiety; supplementation