[azeotropic]

He may be a crackpot, and this book is not a well-written summary of the literature, but the idea of magnesium levels influencing depression is not a crackpot idea.

Magnesium is a cofactor for the enzymes that convert tryptophan into serotonin. Most of the body's serotonin is synthesized in the gut, where it helps control the muscles that move the bowels. (I assume this is why magnesium salts act as laxatives).

Magnesium is also implicated in other serotonin related disorders (e.g. Migraine).

Even broken clocks are right twice a day.

[adrianmonk]

> I assume this is why magnesium salts act as laxatives

This is a side issue, but apparently it's a different reason.

From https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfession... : "The diarrhea and laxative effects of magnesium salts are due to the osmotic activity of unabsorbed salts in the intestine and colon and the stimulation of gastric motility."

[azeotropic]

Sounds like it's only part of the reason, if I'm correctly parsing "... and the stimulation of gastric motility" as a second mechanism of action.

[adrianmonk]

Oh, good point. I was reading it as if it said "the resulting stimulation", but what you're saying makes more sense.