Hypertension: One small study in patients with hypertension (also known as high blood pressure) found that magnesium supplementation in combination with lifestyle modifications led to a small improvement of blood pressure. Additionally, studies have shown that magnesium can have beneficial effects on cardiovascular health. Magnesium also has the following health benefits, which is why it was chosen to be an ingredient in the Roman Dailies:Īs a part of normal physiology, magnesium interacts with calcium on heart cells and is crucial for maintaining a healthy heartbeat. Another review states that while the mechanism of action of magnesium in depression may not be well understood, including it with other treatments for depression may be effective (8). One study found that six weeks of supplementation with 248 mg per day of elemental magnesium led to an improvement of depression scores, with results being seen within two weeks (10). Magnesium has also been indicated in the treatment of depression. However, the amount of magnesium used in these studies (600 mg per day) exceeds the Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) of suggested magnesium supplementation, which means some people may experience gastrointestinal side effects (5). Small studies have shown that magnesium supplementation may play a role in the prevention of migraines, given magnesium’s role in neurotransmitter release and vasoconstriction. The American Diabetes Association currently states that there is not enough evidence to support supplementation with magnesium in those with diabetes (5). It has been reported that magnesium supplementation may be beneficial for sugar control in those with type 2 diabetes, however studies are limited. The health benefits of magnesium are far-reaching since the mineral is a necessary part of numerous cellular processes.
What are the health benefits of magnesium?