Magnesium L Threonate For Depression and Anxiety PDF

Magnesium L-Threonate for Depression and Anxiety
Analysis by James DiNicolantonio, Pharm.D
STORY AT-A-GLANCE -
 Social confinement can lead to feelings of anxiety, stress and depressed mood and this
can lead to other negative health consequences. Although people can exercise and seek
counseling, nutrients can make a difference with the most important one being
magnesium
 A substantial percent of the population is likely magnesium deficient and may benefit by
taking an additional 150 to 200 mg of magnesium through supplementation
 Symptoms of magnesium deficiency can include many mental issues such as

depression, confusion and agitation
 Magnesium L-threonate has improved effectiveness for increasing cerebrospinal fluid

magnesium levels
 Only magnesium L-threonate, as opposed to magnesium chloride or magnesium

gluconate, increases cerebrospinal fluid magnesium levels and improves cognition in
animal models
This article was previously published June 4, 2020, and has been updated with new
information.
The recent coronavirus pandemic has infected over 5 million people and has caused
over 300,000 deaths. This pandemic has also caused school and business closings,
social distancing, and has forced millions of people to be confined to their homes.
Social confinement can lead to feelings of anxiety, stress and depressed mood, and this
can lead to other negative health consequences. Although people can exercise and seek
counseling, nutrients can make a difference with the most important one being
magnesium.
Approximately 50% of American adults are not getting the estimated average
requirement for magnesium (around 400 mg of magnesium/day).1 Indeed, most
Americans are only consuming around 250 mg of magnesium per day.2
Thus, a substantial percent of the population is likely magnesium deficient and may
benefit by taking an additional 150 to 200 mg of magnesium through supplementation.
In fact, up to 30% of the population is magnesium deficient based on low serum

magnesium levels, and up to 84% of certain patient populations are magnesium
deficient when using the gold standard IV magnesium load test.3
Thus, subclinical magnesium deficiency is common and leads to numerous mental

health issues. This brief review will cover the potential benefits of magnesium,
particularly magnesium L-threonate, for mood and anxiety.
Magnesium L-Threonate to the Rescue
Symptoms of magnesium deficiency can include many mental issues such as

depression, confusion and agitation.4 Individuals with depression are known to have
Lower magnesium levels in the blood5 and the brain.6
Low cerebral spinal fluid magnesium.7
Unfortunately, cerebral spinal fluid magnesium levels are tightly controlled, whereby
boosting blood levels of magnesium by 300% only increases cerebrospinal fluid levels
by approximately 10 to 19%.8 However:
Magnesium L-threonate has improved effectiveness for increasing cerebrospinal

fluid magnesium levels.9
Only magnesium L-threonate, as opposed to magnesium chloride or magnesium
gluconate, increases cerebrospinal fluid magnesium levels and improves cognition
in animal models.10
The first report of magnesium for improving mood was published in 1921, showing
success in 220 out of 250 cases.11 Since then, numerous case reports have found rapid
improvements in mood with the use of magnesium supplementation without side
effects.12 Additionally:
A randomized equivalent trial found that oral magnesium supplementation was just
as effective as an antidepressant for improving mood.13
Thus, clinical studies in humans suggests that magnesium supplementation is

beneficial for improving mood. Approximately 60% of individuals who have a depressed
mood are considered treatment-resistant and this may be due to magnesium
deficiency.14 Moreover:
Low magnesium levels correlate with poor outcomes in individuals with a

depressed mood who do not respond to medications.15
Higher magnesium intakes are associated with better mood scores.16
All of this suggests a potential role for magnesium, especially magnesium L-

threonate, for mental health.
In summary, depressed mood may simply be a sign of magnesium deficiency in the

brain. Boosting brain magnesium levels, particularly with the use of magnesium L-
threonate, may have profound benefits on mood.
Importantly, magnesium is needed to make the three primary neurotransmitters in the

brain, i.e., serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline and melatonin, which is important for
sleep.
Magnesium L-Threonate for Anxiety Support
High levels of stress can lead to magnesium deficiency by increasing the amount of
magnesium that is lost in the urine.17,18
Moreover, magnesium deficiency enhances the stress response.19
Magnesium deficiency increases stress-induced mortality in animals,20 whereas

compensation for magnesium deficiency improves the ability of the nervous system
to resist stress.21
In other words, stress leads to magnesium deficiency and magnesium deficiency

leads to stress.
Animals receiving diets low in magnesium display increased anxiety-related
behavior,22 and this may be due to hyper-excitability in the brain and increased
cortisol production.23
Importantly, two studies have shown that supplementing animals with magnesium L-
threonate reduces anxiety.24,25
Thus, magnesium L-threonate may have a central role in anxiety support. In summary,
anxiety can cause magnesium deficiency and vice versa. Considering that most people
in the United States are not consuming an adequate amount of magnesium from the
diet, supplementation with magnesium L-threonate may have an important role for
anxiety support.
Sources and References
1, 2, 3 Open Heart 2018;5:e000668

4
Br Med J 1967;2:195
5 Metab Brain Dis 2019;34:1493-503
6, 7, 11, 12, 14 Med Hypotheses 2010;74:649-60
8 Crit Care Med 2005;33:661-6
9, 10 Neuron 2010;65:165-77
13 Magnes Res 2008;21:218-23
15 Nutr Neurosci 2012;15:78-84
16 Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2009;43:45-52
17, 19, 21 Ter Arkh 2015;87:114-22
18 Magnes Trace Elem 1991;10:287-301
20 Magnes Trace Elem 1991;10:40-6
22
Neuropharmacology 2004;47:1189-97
23 Neuropharmacology 2012;62:304-12
24 J Neurosci 2011;31:14871-81
25 Behav Pharmacol 2013;24:255-63

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Magnesium L-Threonate for Depression and Anxiety

Analysis by James DiNicolantonio, Pharm.D

 Symptoms of magnesium deficiency can include many mental issues such as

 Magnesium L-threonate has improved effectiveness for increasing cerebrospinal fluid

 Only magnesium L-threonate, as opposed to magnesium chloride or magnesium

In fact, up to 30% of the population is magnesium deficient based on low serum

Thus, subclinical magnesium deficiency is common and leads to numerous mental

Magnesium L-Threonate to the Rescue

Symptoms of magnesium deficiency can include many mental issues such as

Lower magnesium levels in the blood5 and the brain.6

Low cerebral spinal fluid magnesium.7

Magnesium L-threonate has improved effectiveness for increasing cerebrospinal

Thus, clinical studies in humans suggests that magnesium supplementation is

Low magnesium levels correlate with poor outcomes in individuals with a

Higher magnesium intakes are associated with better mood scores.16

All of this suggests a potential role for magnesium, especially magnesium L-

In summary, depressed mood may simply be a sign of magnesium deficiency in the

Importantly, magnesium is needed to make the three primary neurotransmitters in the

Moreover, magnesium deficiency enhances the stress response.19

Magnesium deficiency increases stress-induced mortality in animals,20 whereas

In other words, stress leads to magnesium deficiency and magnesium deficiency

Sources and References

1, 2, 3 Open Heart 2018;5:e000668

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