Magnesium is essential for the body to function properly because it contributes to energy production and helps regulate levels for other important vitamins and nutrients in the body. Getting adequate levels of magnesium through your diet, supplements or a combination of both might help ease some types of joint pain, though scientific evidence on the benefits of magnesium for joint pain is minimal. Discuss your concerns with your doctor, particularly if you suffer from a chronic condition that leads to joint pain, before taking additional magnesium.
Types
Taking magnesium supplements might help relieve certain types of joint pain. A tablet composed of malic acid and magnesium improved fibromyalgia pain in patients who took it for at least two months in one small study, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Magnesium sulfate, commonly known as Epsom salt, can help relieve minor joint aches and pains in some individuals. Soaking in a warm bath with Epsom salt is purported to help relieve inflammation from arthritis, injuries and other joint-related conditions, which can help minimize pain. Some prescription drugs for joint pain, including choline magnesium trisalicylate, include magnesium as part of the formula for an anti-inflammatory drug often used to treat joint pain from arthritis.
Dosage
Following the dosage guidelines on magnesium supplements, prescription medications containing magnesium and any other products containing magnesium is extremely important. Check the labels of any supplements and drugs you take to determine if they contain magnesium, as you shouldn’t combine more than one source or type of magnesium unless your doctor advises you to do so. Taking too much magnesium can lead to potentially serious medical problems, including respiratory paralysis, dangerously low heart rate, extremely low blood pressure and deficiencies of other important minerals.
Considerations
Most people get enough magnesium through their regular diets, though gastrointestinal problems, kidney disease, diabetes and hyperthyroidism can lead to low magnesium levels. Avoid caffeine, alcohol and excessive amounts of sodium if you suffer from joint pain, since these can lead to increased pain and lower levels of magnesium. Magnesium alone usually isn’t enough to combat chronic joint pain, though it might help reduce your symptoms when combined with conventional treatment.
Warning
Don’t begin taking magnesium supplements without consulting your doctor first, particularly if you regularly take other over-the-counter or prescription medications. Magnesium can lead to serious side effects when combined with certain medications, including blood pressure drugs, aminoglycosides, digoxin and levomethadyl. High levels of magnesium can also increase the absorption of some diabetes medications, which could lead to potentially dangerous levels of the medications in the bloodstream.
