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At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
- Office of Dietary Supplements of the National Institutes of Health: Magnesium
- "Journal of Rheumatology"; Treatment of Fibromyalgia Syndrome With Super Malic: A Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo Controlled, Crossover Pilot Study; I.J. Russell, et al.; May 1995
- "Journal of Rheumatology"; Treatment of Fibromyalgia Syndrome With Super Malic: A Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo Controlled, Crossover Pilot Study; I.J. Russell, et al.; May 1995
- "Magnesium Research"; Selenium and Magnesium Status in Fibromyalgia; J Eisinger, et al.; December 1994
- "Magnesium Research"; Selenium and Magnesium Status in Fibromyalgia; J Eisinger, et al.; December 1994
The information contained on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a professional health care provider. Please check with the appropriate physician regarding health questions and concerns. Although we strive to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee to that effect is made.
Kinds of Magnesium for Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a poorly understood disease that causes severe muscle pain throughout the body. The exact cause of and best treatment for fibromyalgia are not well established, and new treatment options are frequently under investigation. One possible treatment is magnesium malate, although additional research is needed to definitively prove its effectiveness in treating fibromyalgia. Like any other health supplement, consult your doctor before taking magnesium malate.
Fibromyalgia and Magnesium
Fibromyalgia is a rather mysterious chronic condition of unknown origin. The condition causes pain in muscles, tendons and ligaments throughout the body, and results in multiple tender, sore spots throughout the body. The precise cause of fibromyalgia remains unknown, although there is some evidence linking fibromyalgia to disruptions of the balance of magnesium and other minerals in the body, reports a study published in the December 1994 issue of the journal "Magnesium Research. 4"
- Fibromyalgia is a rather mysterious chronic condition of unknown origin.
- The precise cause of fibromyalgia remains unknown, although there is some evidence linking fibromyalgia to disruptions of the balance of magnesium and other minerals in the body, reports a study published in the December 1994 issue of the journal "Magnesium Research.
Types of Magnesium
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Magnesium is an important mineral needed by numerous critical biological processes in the body. Pure magnesium is highly reactive and flammable, and magnesium supplements typically contain magnesium in complex with another molecule. Magnesium malate is the complex formed by the reaction of magnesium with malic acid, and has slightly different properties than other common forms of magnesium, such as magnesium oxide or magnesium citrate. Magnesium malate may be the best form of magnesium for treating fibromyalgia, according to Dr. P. Thomas Riley, of the University of Mary Washington 2.
- Magnesium is an important mineral needed by numerous critical biological processes in the body.
- Magnesium malate is the complex formed by the reaction of magnesium with malic acid, and has slightly different properties than other common forms of magnesium, such as magnesium oxide or magnesium citrate.
Treating Fibromyalgia
The available data supporting the use of magnesium malate to treat fibromyalgia is relatively scarce. One study found that fibromyalgia patients treated with increasing doses of a magnesium malate supplement called Super Malic experience reductions in muscle pain and tenderness, reports an article published in the May 1995 issue of the "Journal of Rheumatology." However, this was a very small study of only 24 patients. Additional, large-scale trials are necessary to confirm this beneficial effect.
- The available data supporting the use of magnesium malate to treat fibromyalgia is relatively scarce.
- One study found that fibromyalgia patients treated with increasing doses of a magnesium malate supplement called Super Malic experience reductions in muscle pain and tenderness, reports an article published in the May 1995 issue of the "Journal of Rheumatology."
Risks of Magnesium
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You should only take magnesium supplements under supervision of a qualified health care provider, because overdosing on magnesium can cause serious adverse health effects 1. Early symptoms of magnesium overdose include nausea, appetite loss, diarrhea, and changes in mental status such as anxiety and irritability. Long-term exposure to excess magnesium can lead to difficulty breathing, muscle weakness, heart arrhythmia and dangerously low blood pressure, warns the Office of Dietary Supplements of the National Institutes of Health 1.
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References
- Office of Dietary Supplements of the National Institutes of Health: Magnesium
- University of Mary Washington; Magnesium; P. Thomas Riley; September 2006
- "Journal of Rheumatology"; Treatment of Fibromyalgia Syndrome With Super Malic: A Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo Controlled, Crossover Pilot Study; I.J. Russell, et al.; May 1995
- "Magnesium Research"; Selenium and Magnesium Status in Fibromyalgia; J Eisinger, et al.; December 1994
- Engen DJ, McAllister SJ, Whipple MO, et al. Effects of transdermal magnesium chloride on quality of life for patients with fibromyalgia: a feasibility study. J Integr Med. 2015 Sep;13(5):306-13. doi:10.1016/S2095-4964(15)60195-9
- Fairley J, Zhang L, Glassford N, Bellomo R. Magnesium status and magnesium therapy in cardiac surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis focusing on arrhythmia prevention. Journal of Critical Care. 2017 42:69-77. doi:10.1016/j.jcrc.2017.05.038
- Fang X, Wang K, Han D, et al. Circulating magnesium levels and incidence of coronary heart diseases, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes mellitus: a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. BMC Med. 2016 8;14 (1):210. doi:10.1186/s12916-016-0742-z
- Ferreira I, Ortigoza A, Moore P. Magnesium and malic acid supplement for fibromyalgia. Medwave. 2019 May 28;19(4):e7633. doi:10.5867/medwave.2019.04.7632
- Gerdle B, Forsgren MF, Bengtsson A, et al. Decreased muscle concentrations of ATP and PCR in the quadriceps muscle of fibromyalgia patients--a 31P-MRS study. Eur J Pain. 2013 Sep;17(8):1205-15. doi:10.1002/j.1532-2149.2013.00284.x
- Holton K. The role of diet in the treatment of fibromyalgia. Pain management. 2016 May;6(4):317-20. doi:10.2217/pmt-2016-0019
- Lengert N, Drossel B. In silico analysis of exercise intolerance in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. Biophys Chem. 2015 Jul;202:21-31. doi:10.1016/j.bpc.2015.03.009.
- Metta V, Sampathb N, VM R, Iska A. Primary restless legs syndrome in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus : efficacy of magnesium & co enzyme q10 therapy. Journal of the Neurological Sciences. 2015 357(1):e271. doi:10.1016/j.jns.2015.08.952
- National Institutes of Health 2019. Magnesium Health Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/
- Nissani M. A bibliographical survey of bruxism with special emphasis on non-traditional treatment modalities. Journal of Oral Science, 200143(2):73-83. doi:10.2334/josnusd.43.73
- Porter NS, Jason LA, Boulton A, Bothne N, Coleman B. Alternative medical interventions used in the treatment and management of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. J Altern Complement Med. 2010 Mar;16(3):235-49. doi:10.1089/acm.2008.0376
- Reid S, Chalder T, Cleare A, Hotopf M, Wessely S. Chronic fatigue syndrome. BMJ Clin Evid. 2011 May 26;2011. pii: 1101.
- Schutten JC, Joosten MM, de Borst MH, Bakker SJL. Magnesium and Blood Pressure: A Physiology-Based Approach. Adv Chronic Kidney Dis. 2018 25(3):244-250. doi:10.1053/j.ackd.2017.12.003
- Uysal N, Kizildag S, Yuce Z, et al. Timeline (bioavailability of magnesium compounds in hours: Which magnesium compound works best? Biol Trace Elem Res. 2019 Jan;187(1):128-136. doi:10.1007/s12011-018-1351-9
- Wanli G, Hussain N, Zongsuo L, Dongfeng Y. Magnesium deficiency in plants: an urgent problem, The Crop Journal, 2016 4(2): 83-91. doi:10.1016/j.cj.2015.11.003.
Writer Bio
Matthew Busse has pursued professional health and science writing since 2007, writing for national publications including "Science Magazine," "New Scientist" and "The Scientist." Busse holds a doctorate in molecular biology from the University of California-San Diego.