Fibromyalgia is a complex syndrome that can cause you to feel like staying in bed all day. While the exact causes of fibromyalgia aren't yet known, some research has indicated that patients with fibromyalgia have below-average levels of magnesium. Magnesium supplementation in the form of transdermal gel may offer relief from certain symptoms. Consult your doctor before using any dietary supplement.
About Magnesium
Magnesium plays a role in producing energy, building bones and muscles, regulating calcium levels and helping with enzyme activation. You primarily obtain magnesium from foods such as nuts, whole grains, green leafy vegetables and bananas. However, most people do not meet the recommended daily allowance of magnesium from dietary sources. Some people, such as patients with fibromyalgia, have even lower levels of magnesium than the average adult. Magnesium is available as a supplement in capsules, tablets and gel form. Magnesium gel is one of the most easily absorbed types of magnesium supplementation, according to registered nurse Kerri Knox in an article for her website. Knox points out that transdermal magnesium gel is useful for people with sensitive digestive systems who cannot tolerate oral magnesium supplementation.
Fibromyalgia - Symptoms and Treatment
Fibromyalgia is a syndrome characterized by a complex set of symptoms. The most prevalent symptom is chronic, widespread pain, although additional symptoms, such as fatigue, sleep disorders, digestive problems, depression, anxiety and headaches, may also occur. Treatments for fibromyalgia typically focus on symptom relief, but there's no known cure for this condition. While the exact causes aren't yet known, researchers have found a link between magnesium deficiency and symptoms of fibromyalgia. In fact, a study published in 1994 in the "Journal of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine" found that patients with fibromyalgia had significantly lower red blood cell magnesium than healthy control study participants. Some research has found that magnesium supplementation can offer considerable alleviation of certain symptoms, although there's no clinical research to support the specific use of magnesium gel for patients with fibromyalgia.
Evidence
In their book, "The Essence of Analgesia and Analgesics," lead author Raymond S. Sinatra and colleagues, point out that there's only anecdotal evidence to support the benefits of magnesium gel for fibromyalgia. The authors state that magnesium is thought to be a useful adjunctive treatment for pain management. A few studies have shown that magnesium treatment may offer some benefit to the pain symptoms experienced by patients with fibromyalgia. A study published in 1992 in the "Journal of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine" showed that patients with fibromyalgia who received magnesium and malic acid supplementation experienced a significant decrease in pain symptoms. However, more studies are needed to evaluate the specific benefits of magnesium gel on symptoms of fibromyalgia.
Considerations
While magnesium treatment may offer relief from your symptoms, you should never use any dietary or over-the-counter remedy to self-treat your condition. Never attempt to self-diagnose your symptoms. If you think you have fibromyalgia, consult your doctor. Symptoms of fibromyalgia can mimic those of other conditions. As with any nutritional supplement, inform your doctor if you choose to use magnesium gel.
References
- Easy Immune System Health: What's the Right Magnesium Dosage for Optimal Health?
- PubMed Health: Fibromyalgia
- "Journal of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine"; Magnesium Deficiency in Fibromyalgia Syndrome; T. Romano and J. Stiller; 1994
- "The Essence of Analgesia and Analgesics"; Raymond S. Sinatra, Jonathan S. Jahr and J. Michael Watkins-Pitchford; 2010
- "Journal of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine"; Management of Fibromyalgia: Rationale for the Use of Magnesium and Malic Acid; G. Abraham and J. Flechas; 1992
Member Comments