Magnesium (General)
Research reviewed: updated 08/24
Magnesium (General) (Mg) is a dietary supplement with 8 published peer-reviewed studies involving 362 participants, researched for General, Sleep.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
General
StrongSleep
StrongResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
General
To investigate the effect of oral magnesium supplementation on blood pressure, in clinically healthy volunteers, including those with slightly high blood pressure or mildly high cholesterol.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial
Purpose
To investigate the effect of oral magnesium supplementation on blood pressure, in clinically healthy volunteers, including those with slightly high blood pressure or mildly high cholesterol.
Dose
411-548 mg/day of magnesium or placebo
Participants
33 male and female subjects with normal blood pressure or have borderline hypertension
Duration
4 weeks
Results
The group that took magnesium saw a significant decrease in their blood pressure, while the group that took a placebo did not. A decrease in both systolic (upper value of BP reading) and diastolic (lower value of BP reading) blood pressure means that the overall pressure in your blood vessels is lower, which is generally beneficial for heart health. This suggests that magnesium supplementation might help lower blood pressure.
To investigate the effect of oral magnesium supplementation on blood pressure in patients with mild hypertension
Study Type
Randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial
Purpose
To investigate the effect of oral magnesium supplementation on blood pressure in patients with mild hypertension
Dose
1200 mg/day of magnesium (2 x 600 mg) or placebo
Participants
28 mild hypertensive adults with an average age of 46 years
Duration
12 weeks
Results
The study found an association between oral magnesium supplementation and a significant reduction in 24-hour blood pressure, including both the top number (systolic) and the bottom number (diastolic) of their blood pressure readings. Specifically, the intervention group saw a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure by an average of 5.6 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure by 2.8 mm Hg, compared to the control group's decreases of 1.3 mm Hg and 1.0 mm Hg, respectively. The researchers also observed that magnesium levels in the blood significantly increased in those taking the supplements, while no significant change in the control group.
To observe the effects of oral magnesium-potassium supplementation on arterial compliance in essential hypertension. Arterial compliance refers to the ability of arteries to expand and contract with blood flow. High compliance means flexibility, while low compliance indicates stiffness, which can lead to high blood pressure and cardiovascular issues.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial
Purpose
To observe the effects of oral magnesium-potassium supplementation on arterial compliance in essential hypertension. Arterial compliance refers to the ability of arteries to expand and contract with blood flow. High compliance means flexibility, while low compliance indicates stiffness, which can lead to high blood pressure and cardiovascular issues.
Dose
70.8 mg/day of magnesium and 217.2 mg/day of potassium or control (lacidipine, a common antihypertensive medication)
Participants
Treatment group: 35 male and female hypertensive patients with an average age of 58 years Positive control group: 32 male and female hypertensive patients with an average age of 56 years Control group: 147 healthy male and females with an average age of 54 years
Duration
4 weeks
Results
Patients taking magnesium and potassium supplements demonstrated an average significant decrease in systolic blood pressure of 7.83 mm Hg and in diastolic blood pressure of 3.67 mmHg. However, this decrease was less than what was observed in patients taking lacidipine, who experienced a significant decrease of 13.27 mmHg in systolic and 6.33 mmHg in diastolic blood pressure. The researchers also observed that those taking magnesium and potassium supplements showed significantly improved flexibility of smaller arteries (arteries farther from the heart), while those taking lacidipine showed significantly improved flexibility of larger arteries (arteries closer to the heart). Overall, magnesium and potassium mainly improved small artery flexibility, whereas lacidipine significantly improved large artery flexibility, suggesting that these two interventions may have different effects on arterial compliance based on the size of the arteries they target.
To investigate the effects of magnesium supplementation on blood pressure in Brazilian hypertensive patients.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial
Purpose
To investigate the effects of magnesium supplementation on blood pressure in Brazilian hypertensive patients.
Dose
600 mg of magnesium/day (3 x 200 mg) or placebo
Participants
15 male and female adults aged 35-65 years
Duration
3 weeks
Results
The study found that oral magnesium supplementation lowers blood pressure. On average, systolic readings dropped by 7.6 points, diastolic by 3.8 points, and overall by 5.9 points. The effect was stronger in patients with a shorter duration of high blood pressure, with around 40% reported a significant reduction of more than 10 mmHg. Magnesium supplements may be particularly effective for those with recent high blood pressure.
To investigate the effect of magnesium treatment on blood pressure in patients with mild essential hypertension
Study Type
Randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial
Purpose
To investigate the effect of magnesium treatment on blood pressure in patients with mild essential hypertension
Dose
1-3 weeks: 15 mmol/day of magnesium or placebo 4-6 weeks: 30 mmol/day of magnesium or placebo 7-9 weeks: 40 mmol/day of magnesium or placebo
Participants
17 mild hypertensive men and women with an average age of 50 years
Duration
9 weeks
Results
The study found an association between magnesium supplementation and a significant dose-dependent reduction in blood pressure in patients with mild essential hypertension. In other words, the more magnesium they took, the greater the decrease in their blood pressure. Meanwhile, the placebo group did not show any significant changes in their blood pressure.
To investigate the effects of magnesium supplementation in women with mild to moderate hypertension.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial
Purpose
To investigate the effects of magnesium supplementation in women with mild to moderate hypertension.
Dose
485 mg of magnesium/day (485 mg) as magnesium aspartate-HCI or placebo
Participants
91 women, with an average age of 57 years old
Duration
6 months
Results
By the end of the study, researchers observed that the group taking magnesium supplements had a significantly larger decrease in diastolic blood pressure (the pressure in your arteries when your heart is resting between beats), which was 3.4 mm Hg more compared to the placebo group. There was also a trend toward reduced systolic blood pressure (the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats).
Sleep
To evaluate the effects of a combination of magnesium, vitamins B6, B9, B12, rhodiola, and L-theanine (Mg-Teadiola) on stress and stress-related quality of life parameters, including sleep and pain perception, in chronically stressed individuals.
Study Type
Randomised, single-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Purpose
To evaluate the effects of a combination of magnesium, vitamins B6, B9, B12, rhodiola, and L-theanine (Mg-Teadiola) on stress and stress-related quality of life parameters, including sleep and pain perception, in chronically stressed individuals.
Dose
150 mg/day of magnesium with 125 mg/d L-theanine, 222 mg/d rhodiola, 0.7 mg vit B6, 0.1 mg of vit B9, and 1.25 mcg vit B12, or placebo
Participants
100 chronically stressed, bu otherwise healthy men and women aged 18-65 years
Duration
28 days
Results
Mg-Teadiola showed potential for improving sleep-related quality of life, particularly in significantly reducing daytime dysfunction due to sleepiness with longer use. The study also found an association between Mg-Teadiola supplementation and significant decreases in stress scores.
How They Measured It
Sleep quality was assessed before and after the intervention using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, a self-reported questionnaire which measures seven areas: subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, use of sleep medication, and daytime dysfunction.
To investigate the effect of magnesium supplementation on insomnia in elderly.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Purpose
To investigate the effect of magnesium supplementation on insomnia in elderly.
Dose
500 mg/d elemental magnesium (2 x 250 mg tablets) or placebo
Participants
43 men and women with an average age of 65 years
Duration
8 weeks
Results
The researchers observed that participants who took magnesium supplements had significant improvements compared to the placebo group. These included significantly longer sleep time, better sleep efficiency, higher levels of serum renin and melatonin, and a significant decrease in insomnia severity, time to fall asleep, and stress levels. They also observed trends in reduced early morning awakenings and increased magnesium levels.
How They Measured It
Insomnia was assessed using the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), a seven-item questionnaire measuring sleep difficulties and satisfaction. Participants also kept daily sleep logs to track their sleep time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Magnesium (General) research
There are currently 8 peer-reviewed studies on Magnesium (General) (Mg), involving 362 total participants. Research covers General, Sleep. The overall evidence strength is rated as Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (8 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Magnesium (General) has been researched for: General, Sleep. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 8 out of 8 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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