Evidence supporting the use of: Magnesium
For the health condition: Sleep (restless and disturbed)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Magnesium is commonly used to support sleep, particularly in cases of restless or disturbed sleep. Scientific evidence suggests magnesium plays a crucial role in regulating neurotransmitters and the hormone melatonin, both of which are involved in sleep regulation. Magnesium also helps activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for promoting calm and relaxation. Several small-scale randomized controlled trials have shown that magnesium supplementation can improve subjective measures of insomnia, especially in older adults or those with low magnesium status. For example, a 2012 study published in the journal Journal of Research in Medical Sciences found that elderly participants with insomnia who took magnesium supplements experienced significant improvements in sleep time, sleep efficiency, and sleep onset latency compared to placebo. Magnesium may also help reduce symptoms of restless legs syndrome, which can interfere with sleep, although the evidence here is less robust.

However, while these results are promising, the overall body of evidence is still limited, with many studies having small sample sizes and varying methodologies. Larger, well-designed trials are needed to confirm efficacy and clarify optimal dosages. In summary, magnesium has a plausible biological mechanism for supporting sleep and moderate scientific evidence for its use, particularly in individuals with magnesium deficiency or mild sleep disturbances.

More about magnesium
More about Sleep (restless and disturbed)

Other health conditions supported by magnesium

Addictions (drugs)
Addictions (general remedies for)
Aging (prevention)
Alcoholism
Alkalosis
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
Colon (atonic)
Dysmenorrhea
Emotional Sensitivity
Endurance (lack of)
Energy (lack of)
Epilepsy
Exercise
Fatigue
Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Headache (cluster)
Headache (tension)
Hearing Loss
Heart (weakness)
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
Adrenal Fatigue
Abscesses
Allergies (respiratory)
Abdominal Pain
Acid Indigestion
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Constipation (adults)
Convulsions
Cramps (leg)
Cramps (menstrual)
Cramps and Spasms
Depression
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)
Dizziness
Gastritis
Headache (general)
Heart Fibrillation or Palpitations
Hypertension
Insomnia