I had no idea that so many of my problems were being caused by vitamin and mineral deficiencies. If you are thinking to yourself that this article in the Take Control of Your Fibromyalgia Series doesn’t apply to you because you eat a well-balanced diet and take supplements, think again. Even if you are getting more than adequate nutrition, you can still be deficient due to toxins blocking the action of nutrients in the body. (The source of these toxins may surprise you.)

Some things you have to do every day. Eating seven apples on Saturday night instead of one a day just isn’t going to get the job done.
-Jim Rohn

A magnesium deficiency is considered to be one of the most common, but treatable, causes of disease. An estimated 72% of Americans are not getting enough magnesium. (Learn more at http://www.mgwater.com/articles.shtml#Americans.) Low magnesium levels are associated with several autoimmune disorders including Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, arthritis, Raynaud’s phenomenon, and asthma. Reduced levels are also thought to be the reason for muscle pain in SLE (Lupus) patients. A magnesium deficiency is connected to a host of other health conditions including: migraines, heart disease, mitral valve prolapse, sleep disturbances, over-sensitivity to light and noise, autism, depression, anxiety, PMS, and kidney stones. Insufficient magnesium causes an increase in a body chemical called substance P, which is responsible for pain perception. In other words, you will hurt more if you don’t have enough magnesium. Fibromyalgia sufferers have on average three times more Substance P than normal.

Magnesium is involved in thyroid production and protein synthesis. Magnesium is also necessary in the production of stomach acid and digestive enzymes, which are deficient in people with autoimmune disease. It is a powerful weapon in the autoimmune protection arsenal because magnesium can lower cytokine levels.

Cytokines cause many fibromyalgia symptoms. In the brain, cytokines can cause behavioral changes. They can either prompt or worsen depression, anxiety, or anorexia. They may cause a person to become withdrawn. Cytokines create fatigue and interfere with sleep patterns. They are one thing responsible for what has been termed “brain fog.”

While this mineral is no cure-all by any means, magnesium has been shown to relieve muscle pain and fatigue in individuals with Fibromyalgia. Magnesium is often given in combination with malic acid. (Learn more at http://www.gettingwell.com/drug_info/nmdrugprofiles/nutsupdrugs/mal_0292.shtml.)

Note: This practice has been criticized by some alternative medicine practitioners as unsafe.

In a six month 1995 study, patients with Fibromyalgia were given a daily dose of 200 mg of malic acid and 50 mg of magnesium. Patients who participated showed significant reduction in pain and tenderness.

More contributing factors to magnesium deficiency are stress and sleep deprivation. Vitamin B deficiencies, especially B12, can lead to the inability of the body to utilize magnesium, even when it is getting adequate amounts. Surprisingly enough, even loud noises can decrease magnesium availability, so turn the radio down.

The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of magnesium is 400mg. Dietary sources of magnesium include whole grains, nuts, seeds, cocoa, green vegetables, seafood, brown rice, and kidney and lima beans.

Note: Do not take extra magnesium if you have kidney disease because it is the kidneys that process the magnesium.

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