Magnesium is one of the essential elements that is rarely given notice to be an important health supplement. This element may not be in the same league as calcium or potassium but it has been known to be a key factor in the treatment of anxiety attacks.
Magnesium is an essential mineral involved in more than 300 biochemical reactions of the human body including activation of various chemical enzymes, regulation of the concentration levels of other vital nutrients, and optimal functioning of most body organs. A deficiency in this mineral has been reported to lead to symptoms of anxiety, depression, irritability, fear, insomnia, confusion, restlessness and memory loss – symptoms common to people with anxiety disorders.
Aside from these effects, magnesium helps in regulating blood pressure and blood sugar. It also guards the heart from arrhythmias and other irregular heart beats. Foods such as rice, lentils, spinach, yogurt, almonds and kidney beans are few of its diet sources.
A clinical trial recently conducted in France through the double-blind, randomized, placebo method with total participants of 264 people diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder showed a statistically significant reduction in anxiety and depression in the group who was given the herbal treatment with 300 mg of magnesium. Moreover, magnesium supplements have been found to cause a calming effect in those who have anxiety. However, the mechanism behind this is not fully understood. Hence, more conclusive investigation into this matter has been recommended.
Health practitioners usually recommend taking in more magnesium for anxiety treatment. It helps in the absorption of essential elements such as calcium and potassium. If calcium is not properly absorbed by the body, the nerve cells will become overactive; the heart will beat faster than usual and may eventually lead to anxiety attacks. On the other hand, eating foods rich in the supply of potassium helps in lowering blood pressure. So taking magnesium supplements together with calcium and potassium helps boost your brain activities. This natural medicine is safe and costs much less than prescription drugs.
As opposed to taking prescription drugs, patients taking regular dosage of magnesium for anxiety treatment never complained of any side effects, although it may have adverse reactions to the other types of medications taken by the patient to treat some other diseases.
Positive recovery from anxiety attacks is highly expected when supplementation is combined with daily exercise and a proper diet. Of course it is also best when nutrition therapy goes hand in hand with behavioral therapy to determine the exact cause of the personis anxiety. These behavioral therapy sessions can also guide the person on how to cope with the symptoms of anxiety and manage them properly in such a way that it will not make the person unproductive.
