Restful Nights Ahead: The Impact of Magnesium Supplementation on Insomnia in Older Adults

Study Title: Magnesium Supplementation and Insomnia in the Elderly

Abstract Summary

Objective: Conducted by Behnood Abbasi and colleagues, this study aimed to determine the effectiveness of magnesium supplementation in improving insomnia symptoms in elderly individuals.
Background: Insomnia is prevalent among older adults, with various age-related changes contributing to sleep difficulties. Magnesium, known for its role in sleep regulation, was the focus of this intervention.

Methods

Design: A double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.
Participants: 46 elderly subjects.
Intervention: Participants were randomly allocated to receive either 500 mg of magnesium or a placebo daily for 8 weeks.
Assessment: The study used questionnaires, sleep logs, and blood samples to evaluate changes in sleep quality and associated physiological markers.

Findings

Sleep Improvement: Magnesium supplementation significantly improved various measures of sleep, such as sleep time, sleep efficiency, and reduced insomnia severity.
Physiological Changes: There were notable improvements in serum levels of renin, melatonin, and cortisol, which are associated with sleep regulation.
Conclusion: The study concluded that magnesium supplementation can effectively improve subjective and objective insomnia measures in the elderly.

DOI: PMC3703169