Evidence supporting the use of: Magnesium
For the health condition: Fibromyalgia Syndrome

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Magnesium has been investigated as a potential adjunct treatment for Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) due to its role in muscle function, nerve transmission, and energy production. Several small-scale studies and observational reports have found that people with fibromyalgia often have lower serum or red blood cell magnesium levels compared to healthy controls. Magnesium deficiency has been associated with muscle cramps, fatigue, and increased sensitivity to pain, which are common symptoms in FMS.

Some clinical trials have explored magnesium supplementation in FMS patients. For example, a 2013 randomized, double-blind study found that magnesium citrate supplementation reduced the number and intensity of tender points and improved depression in women with fibromyalgia. Other studies, often combining magnesium with malic acid, have reported modest improvements in pain and fatigue. However, these studies are typically small, of short duration, and sometimes lack rigorous controls, limiting the generalizability of their findings.

Systematic reviews note that while there is a plausible biological rationale and some preliminary evidence, the overall quality and quantity of research are insufficient to strongly recommend magnesium supplementation as a standard FMS treatment. Large, well-designed randomized controlled trials are lacking. Nevertheless, due to its safety profile and some supportive evidence, magnesium is sometimes used as an adjunct therapy.

In summary, the use of magnesium for fibromyalgia is justified by limited scientific evidence, with a low-to-moderate level of support (2/5), primarily based on small and preliminary studies rather than robust clinical trials.

More about magnesium
More about Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Other health conditions supported by magnesium

Addictions (drugs)
Addictions (general remedies for)
Aging (prevention)
Alcoholism
Alkalosis
Alzheimer's Disease
Angina
Anorexia
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Apathy
Arrhythmia
Arteriosclerosis
Arthritis
Asthma
Athletic and Exercise Aids
Attention Deficit Disorder
Autism
Autoimmune Disorders
Backache
Bipolar Mood Disorder
Birth Control (countering side effects)
Body Building
Body Odor
Boils
Broken Bones
Bronchitis
Bulimia
Calcium Deficiency
Calcium Deposits
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Canker Sores
Carbuncles
Cardiac Arrest
Cardiovascular Disease
Chest Pain
Colon (atonic)
Dysmenorrhea
Emotional Sensitivity
Endurance (lack of)
Energy (lack of)
Epilepsy
Exercise
Fatigue
Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Headache (cluster)
Headache (tension)
Hearing Loss
Heart (weakness)
Mental Illness
Migraine
Mood Swings
Muscle Tone (lack of)
Nerve Damage
Nervous Exhaustion
Nervousness
Neurosis
Numbness
Osteoporosis
Oxygen Deficiency
Pain (general remedies for)
Paralysis
Pets (supplements for)
PMS (general)
PMS Type A
PMS Type C
PMS Type D
PMS Type H
PMS Type P
Post Partum Depression
Post Partum Weakness
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)
Progesterone (low)
Psoriasis
Restless Leg Syndrome
Rhinitis
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Seizures
Senility
Shock
Skin (dry and/or flaky)
Skin Care (general)
Sleep (restless and disturbed)
Stress
Sugar Cravings
Surgery (healing from)
Surgery (preparation for)
Tachycardia
Tension
Testosterone (low)
Tetanus
Thinking (cloudy)
Tics
Tinnitus
TMJ
Tooth Decay
Toxemia
Triglycerides (high)
Twitching
Wasting
Wheezing
Worry
Wounds and Sores
Adrenal Fatigue
Abscesses
Allergies (respiratory)
Abdominal Pain
Acid Indigestion
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Constipation (adults)
Convulsions
Cramps (leg)
Cramps (menstrual)
Cramps and Spasms
Depression
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)
Dizziness
Gastritis
Headache (general)
Heart Fibrillation or Palpitations
Hypertension
Insomnia