Geoffrey Leigh
MSc.,ND.D.N.Sc.

Magnesium - Nervous System Health Benefits]

Introduction

This section outlines the biological function and therapeutic use of Magnesium in connection with the body’s Nervous System.


Magnesium Exerts these Health Benefits on the Nervous System

Ailments of the Nervous System

Aggressiveness may occur as a result of Magnesium deficiency and Magnesium may alleviate many cases of (offensive) Aggressiveness (Magnesium supplementation may reduce offensive Aggressiveness and may increase defensive Aggressiveness). references
Magnesium (most profoundly of all minerals) may improve Memory and may alleviate other symptoms in Alzheimer's Disease patients: references

- The dosage of Magnesium used in trials involving Alzheimer’s Disease patients is 1,000 mg per day.
- There is speculation that Magnesium deficiency may also be a cause of Alzheimer's Disease.
- Magnesium achieves its therapeutic effects in Alzheimer's Disease by acting as a Calcium-Channel blocker (in a similar fashion to Nimodipine).

Anxiety may occur as a symptom of Magnesium deficiency and supplemental Magnesium (400 - 900 mg per day) may alleviate some cases of Anxiety: references

- Panic Disorder may occur as a result of Magnesium deficiency. references

Apathy may occur as a symptom of Magnesium deficiency. references
Loss of Appetite may occur as a result of Magnesium deficiency. references
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) may occur as a result of Magnesium deficiency and Magnesium supplementation (200 mg per day) may alleviate the hyperactivity associated with ADD. references

Reduced Attention Span may occur as a result of Magnesium deficiency. references
Children afflicted with Autism are often found to be deficient in Magnesium and supplemental Magnesium may be a valuable adjunct for the treatment of Autism with Vitamin B6 (note that most studies have found Magnesium supplementation to be ineffective in the treatment of Autism when used alone: it may, however, increase the effectiveness of Vitamin B6 in the treatment of Autism). references

Poor Concentration ability may occur as a result of Magnesium deficiency. references
Mental Confusion may occur as a result of Magnesium deficiency. references
Loss of Coordination may occur as a result of Magnesium deficiency. references

Magnesium may help to prevent Depression and Depression patients are often found to be deficient in Magnesium: references

- Caution: excessive consumption of Magnesium may paradoxically CAUSE Depression.
- Magnesium may be useful for the treatment of Major Depression (as Major Depression patients have been found to have abnormally low serum Magnesium levels). references
- Magnesium (especially the Magnesium Aspartate form) may alleviate Manic Depression. references

Magnesium may reduce Drug Dependence (by reducing the craving for various Drugs that cause Drug Dependence) including: references

- Alcohol
- Amphetamines
- Cocaine
- Nicotine

Epilepsy may occur as a result of Magnesium deficiency - Magnesium may reduce the incidence of Epileptic Seizures caused by excitability, through its ability to relax the nerves and muscles. references
Hallucinations may occur as a result of severe Magnesium deficiency. [more info]

Magnesium (administered as soon as possible (preferably within 48 hours) after the occurrence of a Head Injury) may facilitate the recovery from Head Injuries. Magnesium treatment of Head Injuries generally involves the use of intravenous Magnesium Sulfate. references
Magnesium may alleviate Headaches: references

- Magnesium may alleviate Cluster Headaches. references

Insomnia patients are often found to be deficient in Magnesium (indicating that supplemental Magnesium may help to prevent or treat Insomnia). Magnesium supplementation may reduce the next-day Fatigue associated with Insomnia. references
Irritability may occur as a result of Magnesium deficiency. references

Poor Memory may occur as a result of Magnesium deficiency. references
Migraine may occur as a result of low Brain levels of Magnesium - many Migraine patients are found to have low Brain Magnesium levels during Migraine attacks and supplemental Magnesium (600 mg per day) may be beneficial for the treatment of Migraine. references

Supplemental Magnesium may be of benefit to Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients (total Magnesium levels in MS patients are significantly lower than those of healthy persons with the most significant reduction in Magnesium levels occurring in the white matter of the Brain). references
Nervousness may occur as a symptom of Magnesium deficiency (and supplemental Magnesium often alleviates Nervousness). references

Magnesium may alleviate Neuralgia. references
Magnesium may alleviate the Pain associated with Neuropathy. references
Nightmares may occur as a result of Magnesium deficiency. references
Numbness may occur as a result of Magnesium deficiency. references

Magnesium may alleviate Restless Legs Syndrome. references
Magnesium deficiency has been speculated to be an underlying cause of Schizophrenia. references
Magnesium may accelerate recovery from Spinal Cord injuries. references

Magnesium (400 mg per day) may alleviate Stress (by improving the function of the Adrenal Glands). references
Magnesium deficiency has been speculated to be an underlying cause of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). references
Magnesium deficiency may be the underlying cause of Tourette's Syndrome. references

Vertigo may occur as a result of Magnesium deficiency. references
Magnesium supplementation may be a useful adjunctive treatment for Wernicke's Encephalopathy (Vitamin B1 therapy for Wernicke’s Encephalopathy may be ineffective in the presence of Magnesium deficiency):

- Magnesium may enhance the effectiveness of Vitamin B1 for the treatment of Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome (Magnesium is a cofactor for the enzymes that convert Vitamin B1 to its active endogenous form). references



Nervous System Enhancement

Magnesium may improve the quality of Sleep (when consumed just prior to retiring): references

- Magnesium deficiency may reduce the length (quantity) of Slow-Wave Sleep (an indication that optimal Magnesium is required for optimal Slow-Wave Sleep). references



Underlying Mechansims

Magnesium may sedate the Central Nervous System. [more info]
Magnesium binds to and activates GABAa Receptors. references
Magnesium is required for the transmission of Nerve Impulses. references

Magnesium is a component of the structure of Neurons. [more info]
Magnesium inhibits the activation of NMDA Receptors. references
Magnesium is required for the optimal function of the Pineal Gland. references

Magnesium is required for the optimal function of the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus (SCN). references



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