Magnesium Amino Acid Chelate and Anxiety

An anxiety disorder can cause significant impairment to your ability to function and negatively impact your feelings of well-being. While psychotherapy and/or medication are often prescribed to reduce symptoms of anxiety, some research has shown that magnesium supplementation with chelated magnesium can also help. Consult your doctor before using any dietary supplements.

Magnesium Amino Acid Chelate

Magnesium is an important mineral that plays a role in more than 300 metabolic reactions. Your body needs magnesium for energy production, enzyme activation, calcium regulation and to make healthy bones and teeth. Many forms of magnesium are available in supplement form. Magnesium amino acid chelate, such as magnesium asparate, glycinate or taurinate, are magnesium supplements in which magnesium is bound to, or chelated with, amino acids 2. Chelated magnesium supplements are believed to more absorbable forms of magnesium.

Anxiety and Magnesium Deficiency

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Anxiety disorders affect millions of people every year. As of 2011, the exact causes of anxiety disorders are not completely understood. A true magnesium deficiency is not common. Low levels of magnesium can contribute to symptoms of anxiety, irritability and insomnia, according to clinical nutritionist Krispin Sullivan 1. Some studies have shown that magnesium supplementation may help reduce some of these symptoms.

Clinical Evidence

A study published in the July 7, 2004 issue of the "Journal of Women's Health & Gender-Based Medicine" found that women with premenstrual-related symptoms of anxiety experienced a significant decrease in their symptoms through supplementation of magnesium plus vitamin B-6 3. Another study, published in 2006 in the journal, "Medical Hypotheses," examined the effects of magnesium glycinate or magnesium taurinate supplementation on patients suffering from major depression 4. The researchers present case histories of patients suffering from a variety of concurrent mental health symptoms, including anxiety, insomnia and irritability, whose symptoms improved after being treated with the magnesium supplement.

Considerations

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While magnesium amino acid chelates may help symptoms of anxiety, you should not use nutritional supplements to self-treat your symptoms 2. Do not attempt to self-diagnose nutritional deficiencies or anxiety disorders. Consult your doctor if you think you have an anxiety disorder. If you choose to use a chelated form of magnesium, inform your doctor, especially if you have a medical condition. Magnesium supplements can interact with certain medications and may cause unwanted side effects.