Fibromyalgia is a chronic disease with the most common fibromyalgia symptom being profound widespread body pain. Diagnosis requires a history of widespread pain and accompanying other symptoms, including fatigue, headaches, difficulty sleeping, brain fog, anxiety, and depression.
Fibromyalgia has been linked to magnesium deficiency and research shows that magnesium supplements may help to reduce troublesome symptoms, including pain. Fortunately, there are plenty of foods that are also rich with magnesium. Add cooked spinach, bananas and pumpkin seeds to your diet to boost this essential mineral that may help relieve both pain and sleep problems for those with fibromyalgia.
Magnesium and malic acid combination
Does fibromyalgia have you or someone you know struggling with muscular pain and other symptoms? Some good news is at hand. Recent studies have shown that the combination of magnesium and malic acid can significantly reduce the muscle and soft tissue pain associated with this debilitating condition. Past studies proved that magnesium alone was insufficient at relieving pain and other symptoms. However, the discovery of the potential relief that a magnesium and malic acid combination can provide has offered hope to many diagnosed with fibromyalgia.
Functions of magnesium
Magnesium (Mg) is one of the most important nutrients required by our bodies. It is necessary for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body and is essential to human life. A few of magnesium’s functions include maintaining normal muscle and nerve function, Keeping heart rhythm steady, Supporting a healthy immune system, Keeping bones strong, Regulating blood sugar levels, Promoting normal blood pressure and Supporting energy metabolism and protein synthesis.
Since our bodies don’t produce this essential nutrient, it is critical that we replenish our supply of magnesium daily through diet and/or supplementation. Why would magnesium reduce your fibromyalgia symptoms, and how does the addition of an old drug, amitriptyline, improve its effectiveness? Similarities certainly exist between the clinical symptoms of fibromyalgia and magnesium deficiency, for instance, muscle pain, cramping, headaches, and poor sleep. But do fibromyalgia patients have low levels of magnesium? The answer is mixed because it depends on which part of the blood is sampled.
Magnesium Deficiency and Fibromyalgia Pain
Magnesium is an essential mineral for good health and is involved in a long list of critical functions in the body including: nerve signaling, muscle contraction, and as a co-factor for 350 enzymes. Some people with fibromyalgia are low in magnesium.
Magnesium activates the most important enzyme in the body, ATP
Magnesium activates the most important enzyme in the body, ATP (adenosine triphosphate) an energy molecule produced within a component of cells called the mitochondria, the body’s “energy furnace.” About 20 percent of the body’s production of ATP is located in the brain. As a result, diminished levels can reduce the brain’s cognitive functions, a common problem in people with fibromyalgia.
It improves muscle strength and function
Low levels of magnesium have been associated with muscle weakness and cramps. One aspect that is actively researched upon in fibro is reduced ATP or cellular energy levels. Reduced ATP contributes to increased fatigue, impaired muscle function, impaired cognitive function and lowered antioxidant status. Researchers have identified that disturbance in cellular mineral levels is correlated with reduced ATP levels in fibro.
A study published in Journal of Bone and Mineral Research reveals that dietary magnesium can help counteract age related muscle mass loss and improves muscle strength in women. Supplementation with this mineral in athletes is found to improve muscle strength and performance. But a study in middle aged overweight women did not find magnesium better than placebo in improving muscle function and strength.
Magnesium deficiency increases a chemical in the body called substance P
Magnesium deficiency increases a chemical in the body called substance P, a neurotransmitter and protein found in the brain and spinal cord. People with fibromyalgia have abnormally high levels of substance P. Substance P serves as a pain messenger and is associated with inflammatory processes in the joints. Excess levels can cause pain signals to be sent to the brain even when there is no actual injury or illness.
Excitotoxicity
A 2016 study published in the journal Pain Management suggests that low levels of magnesium, along with zinc, in FMS may encourage a process called excitotoxicity, in which the neurotransmitter glutamate, which stimulates brain cells, gets carried away and over stimulates those cells to death. Excess glutamate activity is believed to be an important feature of this condition. However, we don’t yet know whether magnesium supplements can counter heightened activity of this brain chemical. Inadequate malic acid may hamper your body’s ability to convert the food you eat into energy. Low energy is a key feature of both FMS and ME/CFS.
Oral Magnesium Powder or Supplements
They are various forms of magnesium supplements available in the market. Magnesium citrate is the most common one but it can have a mild laxative effect. Magnesium L-threonate (Buy from Amazon or Buy from iHerb) is a relatively new supplement specifically designed for brain health and is recommended for those with pronounced cognitive symptoms like fibro fog. Magnesium glycinate helps mitigates the laxative effect of the mineral and is safer for the stomach. Magnesium malate provides malic acid which is also good for fibromyalgia relief. Glycinate and malate forms are beneficial for fibromyalgia as per user reports.
Magnesium may reduce pain
When looking for natural therapy to reduce pain in rheumatic conditions and arthritis, we come across that tip stating soaking the affected region in warm water with Epsom salts. Epsom salts are the common name for magnesium sulphate and are used clinically for pain relief.
Complex regional pain syndrome is uncommon chronic pain that may occur after injury. Intramuscular treatment with magnesium sulphate serves as a muscle relaxant in such cases. A study published in Anaesthesia, 2013 reported how intravenous and oral magnesium supplementation helped improve mobility and reduce pain in patients with chronic relapsing low back pain.
Side Effects of Magnesium Malate Supplements
Both magnesium and malic acid can cause intestinal problems. So if you develop symptoms such as persistent diarrhea, bloating, or cramping, you might want to take a break from these supplements to see if symptoms resolve. You may also want to try them individually to see if one is easier to tolerate than the other. If you have kidney or heart problems, be sure to check with your doctor before starting magnesium supplements.
Reference:
- Magnesium and Malic Acid Combination for Fibromyalgia by Laura G Owens via Laura Owens