Magnesium For Fibromyalgia

Overview

Fibromyalgia is a condition characterized by widespread tenderness and body pain. The person become sensitive to touch. The pain and tenderness tend to come and go.Fibromyalgia is most common in women. Symptoms include memory impairment, sleep difficulties, mood disturbance ,and fatigue. Some patients may have:¹

1. Migraine or tension headaches
2. Depression or anxiety
3. Irritable or overactive bladder
4. Pelvic pain
5. Temporomandibular disorder

Magnesium is an important mineral for metabolic function. Magnesium depletion can be seen in patients with chronic diseases. It plays a major role in arrhythmia, severe asthma, eclampsia, preeclampsia, and migraine. Generally, magnesium improves glucose and insulin tolerance, lowering the risk of metabolic syndrome, relieves symptoms of dysmenorrhea, and alleviates leg cramps in pregnant women.²

Fibromyalgia is a widespread chronic pain disorder. Studies revealed a decrease in magnesium levels in many tissue compartments of fibromyalgia patients. Some studies show a strong association between magnesium level and fatigue in fibromyalgia patients.³ Patients with fibromyalgia tend to have low blood vitamin D levels.⁴ Fibromyalgia can be treated with non drug therapies and medication. Physical exercise is the most effective treatment.

How does magnesium affect fibromyalgia

Primary fibromyalgia (FM) is characterized by generalized stiffness,tenderness ,and musculoskeletal pain. FM results in decreased oxygen in the muscles (hypoxia) that result in mitochondrial damage and muscle tissue breakdown. Hypoxia results in decreased ATP synthesis.⁵

The effect of magnesium in fibromyalgia include:⁶

1. Increase ATP
2. Improve the physical function of patients
3. Help to promote healthy sleep. Because magnesium relaxes muscles ,and nerves, and facilitates the release of melatonin (sleep hormone) at night
4. Magnesium citrate can reduce symptoms of depression that help to lift the mood
5. Transdermal magnesium chloride when applied on upper and lower limbs it benefits patients with fibromyalgia⁷

Malic acid may be used to increase mitochondrial energy production and ATP formation. Malic acid plays a central role in energy production.

There are different of type of magnesium supplements. The most important type include:⁸

1. Magnesium citrate
2. Magnesium glycinate

The best type of magnesium supplement depends on your goals,needs,and current magnesium status.

How much magnesium should I take for fibromyalgia

Study demonstrated that magnesium citrate supplementation of 300mg/day over 8 weeks resulted in major improvements in different fibromyalgia markers. The daily need depend on youŕ condition.⁶

Side effects and other concerns

Epsom salt is a naturally occurring mineral salt composed of magnesium and sulfate in rock-like formations. The benefits of epsom salt include:⁹

1. Stress relief

It helps to stabilize mood and relieve depression and anxiety because magnesium increases serotonin (happiness hormone).

1. Relax muscles 
2. Reduce inflammation
3. Help relieve migraine or headache

High doses of magnesium  can cause nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal cramping. Magnesium supplements can interact with certain types of antibiotics and other medicine because of this it's very important to tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're considering supplements.¹⁰

Epsom salt baths are contraindicated in people with:

1. Skin infection
2. Severe burns
3. Open wounds
4. Severe skin inflammation

Drinking Epsom salt can cause side effects such as severe diarrhea.

Summary

Fibromyalgia is a condition characterized by widespread tenderness and pain of muscles. The person become sensitive to touch. The pain and tenderness tend to come and go. Fibromyalgia is most common in women. Symptoms include memory impairment, sleep difficulties, mood disturbance, and fatigue. Studies revealed a decrease of magnesium levels in many tissue compartment in fibromyalgia patients. The effect of magnesium in fibromyalgia include :Increase in ATP, improve the physical function of patient, help to promote healthy sleep. Magnesium helps in relaxing muscles ,and nerves, and facilitates the release of melatonin ( sleep hormone) at night. Magnesium citrate can reduce the symptoms of depression and helps to lift the mood. Transdermal magnesium chloride when applied on upper and lower limbs of patients reduced fibromyalgic pain in patients. Study demonstrated that magnesium citrate supplementation of 300mg/day over 8 weeks resulted in major improvements in different fibromyalgia markers. The daily need depends on youŕ condition. Epsom salt is a naturally occurring mineral salt  composed of magnesium and sulfate in rock-like formations. The benefits of epsom salt include: Stress relief, stabilizes the mood and relieve depression and anxiety because magnesium increases serotonin ( happiness hormone),relaxes muscles. They Help in relieving migraine or headaches and reduces inflammation.High doses of magnesium can cause nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal cramping. Magnesium supplements can interact with certain types of antibiotics and other medicine because of this it's very important to tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're considering supplements.