Key Takeaway
Magnesium supplementation shows promising effects on reducing anxiety and improving sleep quality, though evidence is limited by heterogeneous study designs.
Summary
This systematic review evaluated the effects of magnesium supplementation on self-reported anxiety and sleep quality in adults. The authors searched multiple databases and identified studies examining oral magnesium supplementation with validated outcome measures for anxiety or sleep.
The review found that magnesium supplementation demonstrated beneficial effects on both anxiety symptoms and sleep quality across multiple studies. However, the evidence was characterized by significant heterogeneity in study populations, magnesium forms, dosages, and duration of supplementation.
The authors conclude that while preliminary evidence supports magnesium's role in anxiety and sleep management, more rigorous randomized controlled trials with standardized protocols are needed to establish definitive recommendations.
Methods
- Systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases
- Included studies with oral magnesium supplementation in adults
- Required validated self-report measures for anxiety or sleep outcomes
- Assessed study quality using established criteria
- Qualitative synthesis due to heterogeneity precluding meta-analysis
Key Results
- Majority of included studies showed improvements in anxiety scores with magnesium supplementation
- Sleep quality improvements observed across multiple studies using various validated instruments
- Effects appeared more pronounced in populations with baseline magnesium deficiency or elevated anxiety
- Various magnesium forms (glycinate, oxide, citrate) showed benefits
- Typical effective doses ranged from 200-500mg elemental magnesium daily
Figures
Figure 1
Limitations
- Heterogeneous study designs prevented quantitative meta-analysis
- Variable magnesium forms and doses across studies
- Many studies had small sample sizes
- Limited long-term follow-up data
- Self-reported outcomes subject to placebo effects
- Publication bias possible