… and one ineffective magnesium regimen - Literature Review & Commentary

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients,  Feb-March, 2004  by Alan R. Gaby

• E-mail
• Print
• Link

Twenty-four patients with primary fibromyalgia were randomly assigned to receive oral magnesium malate (Super Malic[R], 3 tablets twice a day) or a placebo, each for 4 weeks with a 2-week washout period, in a double-blind cross-over trial. Each tablet of Super Malic contained 200 mg of malic acid and 50 mg of magnesium (as magnesium hydroxide). Magnesium was not significantly more effective than the placebo, as assessed by pain, tenderness, and functional and psychological measures.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Comment: Two open trials demonstrated that oral magnesium malate is an effective treatment for fibromyalgia. This double-blind trial, however, suggests that the reported benefit is most likely due to a placebo effect. Malate is a substrate for the Krebs cycle, just as aspartate is (see previous annotation on effective Mg regimens). Unlike aspartate, however, malate may not be an effective mineral transporter, or may not be efficiently taken up by mitochondria. Based on our current knowledge, it seems that fibromyalgia and CFS are best treated with parenteral Mg preparations, and that general fatigue (unrelated to CFS) may respond either to parenteral Mg or to oral potassium magnesium aspartate. Unless additional studies demonstrate that Mg malate is effective, it is not recommended as a treatment for fatigue or fibromyalgia.

Russell IJ, et al. Treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome with Super Malic: a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled, crossover pilot study. J Rheumatol 1995;22:953-958.

by Alan R. Gaby, MD

301 Dorwood Drive * Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013

COPYRIGHT 2004 The Townsend Letter Group
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group