Magnesium Status and Stress: The Vicious Circle Concept Revisited
Pickering G, Mazur A, Trousselard M, Bienkowski P
Published in Nutrients
Abstract
Review examining magnesium role in stress response and anxiety, including mechanisms through HPA axis regulation and neurotransmitter modulation.
Methodology
Narrative review of the bidirectional relationship between magnesium status and stress, covering HPA axis physiology, NMDA receptor modulation, observational data and supplementation trials.
Key Findings
Stress increases urinary magnesium excretion and depletes magnesium stores, while magnesium deficiency amplifies HPA axis activation and stress hormone release - a self-reinforcing vicious circle. Mechanistically, magnesium antagonises NMDA receptors, supports GABAergic transmission and dampens cortisol release. Supplementation trials, particularly magnesium combined with vitamin B6, show reduced perceived stress scores in individuals with severe stress and low magnesium status.
Conclusions
Magnesium and stress interact bidirectionally, and correcting low magnesium status can reduce perceived stress - most clearly in people who are both highly stressed and magnesium deplete, rather than in the general population.
Limitations
Narrative review without systematic search or pooled estimates; supporting supplementation trials are few, and several were funded by manufacturers of magnesium-B6 products; serum magnesium is an insensitive marker of body stores, complicating identification of who benefits.
Supplements Studied
Stress increases urinary magnesium excretion and depletes magnesium stores, while magnesium deficiency amplifies HPA axis activation and stress hormone release - a self-reinforcing vicious circle. Mechanistically, magnesium antagonises NMDA receptors, supports GABAergic transmission and dampens cortisol release. Supplementation trials, particularly magnesium combined with vitamin B6, show reduced perceived stress scores in individuals with severe stress and low magnesium status.
Outcomes Measured
Magnesium modulates the stress response through HPA axis regulation and supports GABA function. Deficiency is associated with increased anxiety and stress reactivity.
Stress increases urinary magnesium excretion and depletes magnesium stores, while magnesium deficiency amplifies HPA axis activation and stress hormone release - a self-reinforcing vicious circle. Mechanistically, magnesium antagonises NMDA receptors, supports GABAergic transmission and dampens cortisol release. Supplementation trials, particularly magnesium combined with vitamin B6, show reduced perceived stress scores in individuals with severe stress and low magnesium status.
Stress increases urinary magnesium excretion and depletes magnesium stores, while magnesium deficiency amplifies HPA axis activation and stress hormone release - a self-reinforcing vicious circle. Mechanistically, magnesium antagonises NMDA receptors, supports GABAergic transmission and dampens cortisol release. Supplementation trials, particularly magnesium combined with vitamin B6, show reduced perceived stress scores in individuals with severe stress and low magnesium status.
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
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