Magnesium Supplementation Benefits Depression: Meta-Analysis

Does magnesium help depression?

Yes. Magnesium supplementation significantly reduces depression symptoms in adults with depressive disorders. A meta-analysis of 7 randomized clinical trials with 325 participants shows that magnesium produces approximately 40-45% greater improvement in depression scores compared to placebo.

Magnesium works by balancing brain chemicals, blocking NMDA receptors that can contribute to depression, and supporting brain-derived neurotrophic factor production - similar mechanisms to some antidepressant medications.

What the data show:

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SAMe as Adjuvant Therapy for Depression: Updated Meta-Analysis

Does SAMe help depression?

SAMe produces similar antidepressant effects to imipramine and escitalopram, with no significant difference in effectiveness compared to these conventional medications. An updated meta-analysis of 14 randomized controlled trials with 1,522 patients found that SAMe was equivalent to standard antidepressants when used as monotherapy, though results as an adjunctive therapy were less clear.

SAMe works by increasing the turnover rate of dopamine and serotonin in the brain, improving neurotransmitter synthesis and cellular methylation processes that are often disrupted in depression.

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