Evidence supporting the use of: Magnesium
For the health condition: PMS (general)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Magnesium is used to support or treat premenstrual syndrome (PMS) based on a growing body of scientific evidence, although it is not considered a first-line therapy. Several clinical trials and reviews suggest that magnesium supplementation may alleviate certain PMS symptoms, particularly mood changes (such as irritability), bloating, and breast tenderness. One proposed mechanism is magnesium’s role in neurotransmitter regulation and its influence on serotonin, which can affect mood and emotional symptoms. Additionally, magnesium is involved in muscle relaxation and fluid balance, which may help relieve physical symptoms like cramping and swelling.
A 2017 systematic review and meta-analysis found that magnesium supplementation led to a modest but significant improvement in PMS symptoms compared to placebo. Earlier studies, including randomized controlled trials, have also demonstrated benefits, sometimes in combination with vitamin B6. However, results across studies are not entirely consistent, with some trials showing minimal or no benefit. The overall quality of evidence is moderate, and the effect size is generally modest.
Magnesium is considered safe for most people when taken in recommended amounts, and side effects are generally mild (such as gastrointestinal upset). Given the limited risk and the potential for benefit, magnesium is sometimes recommended as an adjunctive treatment for PMS, especially for individuals seeking non-pharmacological options. Nevertheless, further large-scale, high-quality studies are needed to clarify its efficacy and the specific symptoms most likely to respond.
Other ingredients used for PMS (general)
ashwagandhabeet
black cohosh
borage oil
bupleurum falcatum
calcium
chamomile
chaste tree
DIM (diindolylmethane)
dong quai root
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
evening primrose oil
fennel
flaxseed
gamma linolenic acid (GLA)
green tea
inositol
jujube
kudzu
licorice root
lignans
liquid liver fractions
maca
magnesium
motherwort
pollen
quail egg
relora® (proprietary)
sage
soybean
valerian root
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin D
watermelon
wild yam
zinc
tangerine
bee pollen
lingusticum wallichii
royal jelly
Equol (proprietary)
peach
27-deoxyactein
Alchemilla
Aerva lanata
Agrimonia pilosa
Acetylsalicylic acid
Agnuside
Ashoka
Borage
banana
Cohosh
Calendula
Clary sage
Cnidium
Cyathula
Chocolate
Dong Quai
Evodia
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Evening Primrose Oil
Estrogen
Gugglesterone
Lotus
Sweet Orange alcohol
Vervain
Other health conditions supported by magnesium
Abdominal PainAbscesses
Acid Indigestion
Addictions (drugs)
Addictions (general remedies for)
Adrenal Fatigue
Aging (prevention)
Alcoholism
Alkalosis
Allergies (respiratory)
Alzheimer's Disease
Angina
Anorexia
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Apathy
Arrhythmia
Arteriosclerosis
Arthritis
Asthma
Athletic and Exercise Aids
Attention Deficit Disorder
Autism
Autoimmune Disorders
Backache
Bipolar Mood Disorder
Birth Control (countering side effects)
Body Building
Body Odor
Boils
Broken Bones
Bronchitis
Bulimia
Calcium Deficiency
Calcium Deposits
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Canker Sores
Carbuncles
Cardiac Arrest
Cardiovascular Disease
Chest Pain
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Colon (atonic)
Constipation (adults)
Convulsions
Cramps (leg)
Cramps (menstrual)
Cramps and Spasms
Depression
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)
Dizziness
Dysmenorrhea
Emotional Sensitivity
Endurance (lack of)
Energy (lack of)
Epilepsy
Exercise
Fatigue
Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Gastritis
Headache (cluster)
Headache (general)
Headache (tension)
Hearing Loss
Heart (weakness)
Heart Fibrillation or Palpitations
Hypertension
Insomnia
Mental Illness
Migraine
Mood Swings
Muscle Tone (lack of)
Nerve Damage
Nervous Exhaustion
Nervousness
Neurosis
Numbness
Osteoporosis
Oxygen Deficiency
Pain (general remedies for)
Paralysis
Pets (supplements for)
PMS (general)
PMS Type A
PMS Type C
PMS Type D
PMS Type H
PMS Type P
Post Partum Depression
Post Partum Weakness
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)
Progesterone (low)
Psoriasis
Restless Leg Syndrome
Rhinitis
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Seizures
Senility
Shock
Skin (dry and/or flaky)
Skin Care (general)
Sleep (restless and disturbed)
Stress
Sugar Cravings
Surgery (healing from)
Surgery (preparation for)
Tachycardia
Tension
Testosterone (low)
Tetanus
Thinking (cloudy)
Tics
Tinnitus
TMJ
Tooth Decay
Toxemia
Triglycerides (high)
Twitching
Wasting
Wheezing
Worry
Wounds and Sores
Products containing magnesium
Nature's Sunshine CleanStart Mild
Nature's Sunshine Adrenal Support
Nature's Sunshine AIVIA Hydrate
Nature's Sunshine AIVIA Plant Protein
Nature's Sunshine AIVIA Plant Protein
Nature's Sunshine AIVIA Whey Protein
Nature's Sunshine AIVIA Whey Protein
Nature's Sunshine AnxiousLess
Nature's Sunshine AnxiousLess
Nature's Sunshine Calcium-Magnesium (SynerPro)
Nature's Sunshine Calcium Plus Vitamin D
Nature's Sunshine Cellular Energy
Nature's Sunshine Chromium-GTF
Nature's Sunshine Coral Calcium
Nature's Sunshine Coral Calcium
Nature's Sunshine Fibralgia
Nature's Sunshine Free Amino Acids
Nature's Sunshine Gentle Move
Nature's Sunshine Glandular System
Nature's Sunshine Heavy Metal Detox
Nature's Sunshine Magnesium
Nature's Sunshine Magnesium Complex
Nature's Sunshine Mega-Chel
Nature's Sunshine Mind-Max
Nature's Sunshine MultiVitamin & Mineral (SynerPro)
Nature's Sunshine Natural Changes
Nature's Sunshine Nature's Prenatal
Nature's Sunshine Power Beets Pouch
Nature's Sunshine Power Beets To-Go Packs
Nature's Sunshine Sea Calcium (Nature's)
Nature's Sunshine Sunshine Heroes Whole Food Papayazyme
Nature's Sunshine Silver Shield BioGuard Hand & Body Cream
Nature's Sunshine Skeletal Strength
Nature's Sunshine Solstic Twenty-Four
Nature's Sunshine Solstic Revive
Nature's Sunshine Structural System (30 Day Program)
Nature's Sunshine Super Supplemental
Nature's Sunshine Super Supplemental (Without Iron)
Nature's Sunshine Super Trio
Nature's Sunshine Urinary Maintenance
Nature's Sunshine Urinary System
Nature's Sunshine VitaWave