From the Research
Magnesium Supplementation and Sleep Quality
- Magnesium supplementation has been studied as a potential treatment for insomnia and sleep disorders in various populations, including older adults and individuals with primary insomnia 1, 2, 3.
- A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) found that magnesium supplementation improved sleep onset latency and sleep quality in older adults with insomnia, although the evidence was considered low to very low quality 1.
- Another RCT found that magnesium supplementation improved sleep time, sleep efficiency, and sleep onset latency, as well as reduced symptoms of insomnia, in elderly individuals with primary insomnia 2.
- A systematic review of observational and interventional studies found an association between magnesium status and sleep quality, although the evidence from RCTs was inconsistent 4.
- Some studies have also investigated the relationship between dietary magnesium intake and sleep disorder symptoms, finding that higher magnesium intake may be associated with improved sleep quality and reduced symptoms of insomnia, particularly in women 5.
Key Findings
- Magnesium supplementation may improve sleep onset latency, sleep quality, and symptoms of insomnia in older adults and individuals with primary insomnia 1, 2.
- The evidence for the effectiveness of magnesium supplementation for sleep disorders is generally considered low to very low quality, and more high-quality studies are needed to confirm these findings 1, 4.
- Dietary magnesium intake may also play a role in sleep health, with higher intake potentially associated with improved sleep quality and reduced symptoms of insomnia 5.
Study Limitations
- Many of the studies on magnesium supplementation and sleep quality have methodological limitations, including small sample sizes and short follow-up periods 1, 2, 3.
- The evidence from RCTs is inconsistent, and more high-quality studies are needed to confirm the effectiveness of magnesium supplementation for sleep disorders 4.