Evidence supporting the use of: Magnesium
For the health condition: Seasonal Affective Disorder

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Magnesium has been investigated as a supporting treatment for mood disorders, including depression and, by extension, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). While magnesium deficiency has been associated in some studies with depressive symptoms and mood disturbances, the direct evidence supporting its use specifically for SAD is limited. Magnesium is involved in many biological processes, including neurotransmitter synthesis, regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, and modulation of NMDA receptors, all of which play roles in mood regulation and circadian rhythms. A few small studies and reviews suggest that magnesium supplementation may help alleviate depressive symptoms, especially in individuals with low magnesium status. However, most of the existing research focuses on general depression rather than SAD specifically. There is some theoretical rationale that because SAD is a subtype of depression with a seasonal pattern, factors that affect mood in general depression may be extrapolated to SAD. Nonetheless, clinical trials directly assessing magnesium supplementation in SAD are lacking. Therefore, while there is some scientific basis for considering magnesium in mood disorders, the evidence is not robust or specific for SAD, and magnesium should not be considered a primary or standalone treatment for this condition. It may be reasonable as an adjunct in those with confirmed deficiency, but more targeted research is needed for definitive recommendations.

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More about Seasonal Affective Disorder

Other health conditions supported by magnesium

Abdominal Pain
Abscesses
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