Magnesium and manganese may help your mood.
Deficiencies in magnesium or manganese have been linked to depression. You can have your doctor check your blood levels to determine a deficiency or simply try adding these supplements to your diet for a period of time.
Deficiency vs. Excess
If you are deficient in these minerals, they may help. However, if you are not deficient, taking these supplements should not make a difference. An excess of these minerals does not result in elevated mood and may cause complications.
Importance of Magnesium
Magnesium is essential for nerve impulse transmission, muscle relaxation and converting food into energy. Deficiency can cause a wide array of health problems besides depression, many of which could cause depression themselves.
Magnesium Dosage
The "Recommended Daily Allowance" for magnesium in the United States is 400 mg per day for men and 300 mg per day for women.
Importance of Manganese
Manganese is important for amino-acid formation, and a deficiency could result in low levels of serotonin and norepinephrin, directly causing depression. It also maintains blood sugar levels, which can stop hypoglycemic mood swings.
Manganese Dosage
There is currently no "Recommended Daily Allowance" for manganese, but five mg is considered a safe amount to take on a daily basis.
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