Research Publications on Calcium for Mood
A Beneficial Effect of Calcium Intake on Mood; Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine, 1994; Link
Two experiments involving 123 student volunteers tested the hypothesis that supplementary calcium improves mood. Participants, free of depressive disorders, were given either a placebo or 1000 mg of calcium daily for four weeks. Mood assessments were conducted before and after the intake period in both experiments, with an additional evaluation one week post-intake in the second experiment. Results showed significant mood elevation in those taking calcium compared to the placebo group, suggesting a potential therapeutic role for calcium in treating depressive disorders. This finding is supported by the role of calcium in neuronal activity, which is crucial for cognitive and behavioral functions. Studies indicate that calcium affects monoaminergic neurons involved in mood regulation, highlighting its importance in neuronal processes and potential antidepressant effects.
Dietary calcium and manganese effects on menstrual cycle symptoms; American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 1993; Link
This exploratory study investigated the effects of dietary calcium and manganese on menstrual symptoms in women with normal cycles. Ten participants completed the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire during a 169-day live-in study, undergoing four 39-day dietary phases with varying levels of calcium (587 or 1336 mg/day) and manganese (1.0 or 5.6 mg/day). Results showed that higher calcium intake generally reduced mood, concentration, behavior symptoms, menstrual pain, and premenstrual water retention. Conversely, lower manganese intake exacerbated mood and pain symptoms premenstrually. The study suggests that calcium and manganese play significant roles in managing menstrual distress symptoms.