Authors:
Black LJ, Allen KL, Jacoby P, Trapp GS, Gallagher CM, Byrne SM, Oddy WH
Authors notes:
Public Health Nutrition. 2015;18(10):1824-1830
Keywords:
Dietary intake, Magnesium, Mental health, Raine Study
Abstract:
Adequate Zn and Mg intakes may be beneficial for the prevention and treatment of mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.
We aimed to investigate the prospective association between dietary intakes of Zn and Mg and internalising and externalising behaviour problems in a population-based cohort of adolescents.
Higher dietary intake of Mg was significantly associated with reduced externalising behaviours.
There was a trend towards reduced externalising behaviours with higher Zn intake.
The study shows an association between higher dietary Mg intake and reduced externalising behaviour problems in adolescents.
We observed a similar trend, although not statistically significant, for Zn intake.
Randomised controlled trials are necessary to determine any benefit of micronutrient supplementation in the prevention and treatment of mental health problems in adolescents.