Malic Acid for Fibromyalgia

Malic acid is an organic acid that belongs to the class of Alpha Hydroxy Acids (or AHA). It is created in our body and it can also be obtained from various food sources. As it is found in almost all fruits, it is often referred to as fruit acid. Apples contain a large amount of malic acid. Other sources of malic acid are cranberries, grapes and even tomatoes. It plays a vital role in the production of internal energy in our body. So, eating foods with rich malic acid content or intake of its supplements is an excellent remedy for various physical ailments. Malic acid for fibromyalgia treatment is one of them.

What is Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a chronic health disorder that affects mostly middle aged women. It is characterized by symptoms like pain and stiffness of joints, headache, irritable bowel syndrome, tension, fatigue and exhaustion. Several studies indicate that the local hypoxia in the muscles is mainly responsible for causing this problem. Hypoxia can be described as a condition where the mechanism of carrying oxygen to the muscles cells of the body fails to function normally. As a result, the muscles get fatigued quite rapidly and lead to collapse of the muscle tissues.

Malic Acid and Fibromyalgia

Various clinical studies have been conducted on fibromyalgia patients to identify the effect of malic acid on fibromyalgia. It has been found that it works wonders on fibromyalgia when malic acid is administered along with elemental magnesium supplements. Most women reported significant relief from the joint pain within the first few days. Basically, the role of malic acid is very crucial in energy production at the cellular level. Thus it improves the stamina as well as physical strength of the fatigued muscle cells. Another benefit of using malic acid for fibromyalgia is that it eliminates aluminum toxicity from the body. In other words, it blocks the toxic effects of aluminum very effectively. This is important, mainly because it is this aluminum toxicity which is often held responsible for causing fibromyalgia.

Malic acid should be taken in combination with elemental magnesium always. This is because, in this condition, it is essential for carrying out some of the most essential functions of our body. In fibromyalgia patients, it has been found that the ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) level is quite low which often affects the cognitive function of the brain. Magnesium helps to bring the enzyme ATP into its activated state. It is also required for increasing the serotonin levels in the brain which is quite low in fibromyalgia patients. Actually, this component is a brain neurotransmitter that helps in perception of pain. Some of these patients tend to suffer from magnesium deficiency which may affect some major functions like nerve signaling or muscle contraction of the body. Intake of magnesium will help in restoring normal functioning of these activities.

The recommended dose is 1,200-2,400 mg along with 300-600 mg of elemental magnesium. However, the exact dose is determined according to the severity of the symptoms in every individual patient. As it is a naturally occurring substance, it is absolutely safe and does not show any serious side effects. In some cases, prolonged use of malic acid may give minor malic acid side effects like headache and gastrointestinal symptoms. It does not cause any adverse reaction when taken with any other medicines. Still, it is advisable that you consult your doctor first before you start taking these supplements. Finally, I would like to say that those who are not suffering from fibromyalgia should not take these supplements to improve their stamina.