Has anyone tried taking magnesium supplements? I've read that there is some research being done into the possibility that ADD symptoms are related to a magnesium deficiency.

Has anyone tried this, and if so what dosage did you take?

I've never heard that myself, but started taking it myself, over a year ago. When I first started it, I could tell a difference in being a lot calmer, able to sleep somewhat better, and I big reduction in chocolate/sweet cravings. I found an article somewhere about how magnesium defiencies cause chocolate cravings, so that was interesting. It does make sense becuase like women, before their periods, crave chocolate, and that's when their magnesium levels are at their lowest. So I've heard anyway. I haven't noticed it helping any with my attention span, but it is calming I think. I build up tolerances to anything I take, very quickly, so it doesn't seem as calming to me as it did when I first started taking it, so maybe I need more now...

Magnesium supplements may improve your health and overall well being but in all likelihood it will do little for your adhd. ADHD is not a "nutrient input" disorder and cultures with higher levels of Magnesium do not have fewer cases of adhd.

Dr. Russell Barkley has this to say about supplements. "At this time, there is no scientific evidence supporting the use of herbal, alternative, or natural remedies for ADHD, either when used alone, or in combination with other, more established prescription drugs. While the label for such remedies may hold some psychological appeal if not reassurance (natural, herbal, etc.) of harmlessness, that in fact is not the case. Most are useless and some can in fact be harmful if consumed in substantial quantities or used with other medications".

Repeat after me. Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. The absence of evidence that ADHD is caused by nutrient deficiencies is not evidence that it is not, at least in some cases. Simply put, what you are saying, that ADHD is not a "nutrient input" disorder, does not follow from Dr. Barkley's statement.

Nor is Dr. Barkley's statement even necessarily true.


Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2004 Jan;28(1):181-90.

Double-blind, placebo-controlled study of zinc sulfate in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Bilici M, Yildirim F, Kandil S, Bekaroglu M, Yildirmis S, Deger O, Ulgen M, Yildiran A, Aksu H.

Department of Psychiatry, Medical Faculty, Karadeniz Technical University, School of Medicine, Trabzon, Turkey. bilici@msn.com

BACKGROUND: The most commonly used medications for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are the psychostimulants. There is, however, considerable awareness in alternative, nonstimulant therapies, because some patients respond poorly to stimulants or are unable to tolerate them. Some studies suggest that deficiency of zinc play a substantial role in the aetiopathogenesis of ADHD. Therefore, to assess the efficacy of zinc sulfate we conducted treatment trial. METHODS: Patients with a primary DSM-IV diagnosis of ADHD (N=400; 72 girls, 328 boys, mean age=9.61+/-1.7) were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to 12 weeks of double-blind treatment with zinc sulfate (n=202) (150 mg/day) or placebo (n=198). Efficacy was assessed with the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Scale (ADHDS), Conners Teacher Questionnaire, and DuPaul Parent Ratings of ADHD. Primary efficacy variables were differences from baseline to endpoint (last observation carried forward) in mean ADHDS and Conners Teacher Questionnaire scores between the zinc sulfate and the placebo groups. Safety evaluations included monitoring of adverse events, vital signs and clinical laboratory values. RESULTS: Zinc sulfate was statistically superior to placebo in reducing both hyperactive, impulsive and impaired socialization symptoms, but not in reducing attention deficiency symptoms, as assessed by ADHDS. However, full therapeutic response rates of the zinc and placebo groups remained 28.7% and 20%, respectively. It was determined that the hyperactivity, impulsivity and socialization scores displayed significant decrease in patients of older age and high BMI score with low zinc and free fatty acids (FFA) levels. Zinc sulfate was well tolerated and associated with a low rate of side effect. CONCLUSIONS: Zinc monotherapy was significantly superior to placebo in reducing symptoms of hyperactivity, impulsivity and impaired socialization in patients with ADHD. Although by themselves, these findings may not be sufficient, it may well be considered that zinc treatment appears to be an efficacious treatment for ADHD patients having older age and high BMI score with low zinc and FFA levels.

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Sure, it's zinc rather than magnesium, but it makes the point. Furthermore, nutrient deficiencies or metabolic deficiencies can certainly have neurological consequences.

Going back to the original question, though, if you want to take Mg supplements, I'd suggest running it by your doctor, and maybe suggesting to him/her that you take some tests for nutrient deficiencies. If your doc agrees, take the supplements. You might feel better. You might get some relief from your ADHD. Or, you might not. But, definitely keep your doctor in the loop, so you can avoid any dangerous interactions. Supplements certainly are not always harmless.

Nothing is necessarily true. As Einstein said, "all that I know, is that I know nothing". So what is your point? That any statement or fact could be false? Wow...what a leap.

Science is all about a hypothesis that edges towards acceptance when other scientists replicate the initial findings and do further studies to look at other possibilities. You then create a reliable body of knowledge from which conclusions can be drawn.

This is the first study to examine the role of zinc sulfates. The study orginated from Turkey so their could be cultural issues here. It will be interesting to see if this study can be replicated in other settings.

The treatment did not increase attention levels, you would want that for a treatment of ATTENTION DEFICIT disorder. The treatment instead apparently decreased behaviour difficulties in the children. Interestingly, the authors stated that, "this treatment does not constitute an adequate intervention by itself". Don't throw away your medication, folks!

...and Barkley? I saw him in person roll his eyes when he mentioned the multitude of alternative therapies including Omega 3's and other nutrients. He made a point indicating that the disorder happens around the globe and that you wouldn't see this if the environment was a major factor. He make a very strong case that genetics is the cause.
http://www.continuingedcourses.net/active/courses/course003.php

I will, thanks...my doctor doesn't seem to be very up to date on a lot of things though,and is very quick to throw new meds at a person, even though they have not had good luckwith similar things.

Like, I tried to tell him how well I did on Ritalin years ago, and he refused to let me have it again,saying that he wanted me on Straterra,a non stimulant.

I'm one of those people who do MUCH better on a stimulant type medicine, maybe because even though I'm hyper/anxious, I also have Hypthyroidsm, and am sluggish without coffee/caffeine.

I tried the Straterra and felt like my ADHD was much worse, and my brain just felt so DOWN..... Another instance with my doctor-he HATES the internet,and does not believe anything at all on it-so like if I read something on here and suggested it to him for me to try, he'd go on and on about what a scam anything I read online is. I seriously think I have Fibromyalgia because I'm having arthritis

-type problems that are worse with bad weather. He tested me for arthritis and Lupus, both were negative...so he refuses to try any other tests on me. When I mentioned that my pains could be Fibro, he had never even heard of it, and wouldn't refer me to a rheumatologist.

I know, one of these days I probably need another doctor, but he is good about calling in prescriptions at least.....

I thought your question was a good one . here are some links .


www.ctds.info/magnesium.html (http://www.ctds.info/magnesium.html)

www.homeschoolmath.net/other_topics/add-adhd-diet.php (http://www.homeschoolmath.net/other_topics/add-adhd-diet.php)

I found these articles interesting. There are many links within the first article check them out. Let me know if you need more info.

To continue the discussion about whether nutritional supplements can help ADHD please go to:

http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17659

Kim