Magnesium plays several roles in the body, including promoting muscle and nerve health. The chronic condition fibromyalgia often results in widespread pain throughout the body, which potentially results from improper nerve responses that make sufferers more sensitive to pain. Some older studies found that supplementing with magnesium offered symptom relief, but not enough evidence exists to make any firm conclusions about benefits. A study published in the February 2011 issue of ''Clinical Rheumatology'' found that fibromyalgia patients and control subjects did not have significant differences in their levels of magnesium and other nutrients linked to potentially influencing this condition. Whether or not magnesium supplementation would make any significant difference in your condition has not been established, but being a generally safe supplement, it cannot hurt to experiment, with the approval of your doctor.
Dosages Used in Studies
Studies specifically looking at magnesium supplementation for fibromyalgia offer some general dosage guidelines. The University of Michigan Health System notes that two studies performed in the 1990s used between 300 mg and 600 mg daily, with the higher dose seeming to offer more benefit. Participants took the supplement for eight weeks, along with 1,200 to 2,400 mg of malic acid. Since these studies combined magnesium with another supplement, it is hard to know if magnesium alone, particularly at these doses, would produce any benefit. Consult with your doctor about a suggested dose.
Dosage Considerations for Certain Individuals
If you have liver or kidney disease, taking excess magnesium could increase complications of these conditions. Definitely talk to your doctor before using magnesium in any dosage. If he were to approve use of this supplement, he might suggest starting off with a different dose. If you are pregnant, the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center cautions against consuming more magnesium than the recommended daily intake for this population, which falls between 350 and 400 mg, depending on age. Because the recommended dose of magnesium for treating fibromyalgia far exceeds this amount, you might need to look at alternative supplements.
Factors that Lower Magnesium Levels
The presence of certain medical conditions or the use of certain medications can reduce magnesium levels in the body. This could also influence the appropriate dose, which again underscores the importance of consulting with your doctor. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that the following conditions and medications can lower magnesium levels: irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, thiazide diuretics, loop diuretics, insulin, corticosteroids, certain chemotherapy drugs, digoxin and aminoglycoside antibiotics.
Other Considerations for Use
Magnesium supplements might interfere with the absorption of antibiotics -- take your supplements and drugs at least two hours apart to prevent this. Magnesium might increase the effectiveness of oral diabetes medications, which could potentially necessitate a change in the dosage to compensate -- only your doctor can safely determine this. Common side effects include stomach upset and diarrhea. Signs of excess intake include vomiting, severe drops in blood pressure, slowed heart rate and confusion. It can even lead to coma or death.
References
- University of Michigan Health System: Magnesium
- "Clinical Rheumatology''; The Relationship Between Serum Antioxidant Vitamins, Magnesium Levels, and Clinical Parameters in Patients with Primary Fibromyalgia Symptoms; S.T. Sakarya, et al.; February 2011
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Magnesium
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center: Magnesium
Member Comments