The mineral magnesium has already been linked to lower inflammation and improvements in depression.
Now a new randomised controlled trial has tested the effects of magnesium chloride supplements compared with no treatment.
For the research, half of 126 people with mild to moderate depression were given 248mg of magnesium chloride per day for six weeks.
After just two weeks, some positive effects of the supplement could be seen.
Those taking magnesium had clinically significant improvements over the six weeks.
People did not have any problems taking magnesium and there were no differences based on sex, age, whether people were also taking antidepressants, or other factors.
More than half of the people in the study said they would continue to take magnesium to help them with their depression.
Ms Emily Tarleton, the study's first author, said:
"This is the first randomized clinical trial looking at the effect of magnesium supplementation on symptoms of depression in U.S. adults.Ms Tarleton says that the next stage is to move on to larger populations to see if the results can be replicated.
The results are very encouraging, given the great need for additional treatment options for depression, and our finding that magnesium supplementation provides a safe, fast and inexpensive approach to controlling depressive symptoms."
While many more studies have investigated antidepressant medications, there is also much evidence of their side-effects.
A survey of people taking antidepressants has found higher than expected levels of emotional numbness, sexual problems and even suicidal thoughts associated with the medication.
Of the 20 adverse effects to antidepressants that people were questioned about:
- 62% said they had 'sexual difficulties',
- 52% said they 'didn't feel like themselves',
- 42% noticed a 'reduction in positive feelings',
- 39% found themselves 'caring less about others',
- and 55% reported 'withdrawal effects'.
Million dollar studies and years and years of "WELL we just don't know "?? And the answer is simple and obvious! THE lack of Magnesium and Zinc in the diet is causing THESE debilitating diseases! I started taking 600 mg of Magnesium Malate, and 30 mg of zinc a DAY! Almost immediately I experienced an incredible serge in energy! My muscles responded to weight lifting LIKE when I was 20! If you read about the importance of Magnesium in the diet you'll realize that 90% of today's infirmaties are caused by highly deficient magnesium levels to all areas of the body! Simple and cheap! "NO WOMDER THE DOCTORS CAN'T MAKE THE CONNECTION