The last time I was in seeing my pain specialist we discussed the idea that I should consider taking a supplement called Malic Acid. According to the one trial conducted using doses of Malic Acid with Magnesium there is some indication that it might assist people with Fibromyalgia, although it is unclear how the way the body metabolises Malic Acid has anything to do with it. Because I suffer from a type of chronic pain similar to Fibromyalgia he hoped there might be a chance that this could also play a role in treating my condition.
The results of the one clinical study done on the combination of Malic Acid and Magnesium as a means of alleviating the symptoms of Fibromyalgia, was inconclusive. A double blind study using placebos at low doses for four weeks (200 mgs Malic Acid and 50 mgs Magnesium three times a day) was followed by and open label test (subjects knew what they were taking) for six months where the dosage was increased to six tablets a day.
While the initial double blind test showed little beneficial results, when the dosage was doubled and the patients knew what they were taking, more noticeable relief was indicated. As of yet there is no means of finding out what if any contradictions there might be from taking high levels of Malic Acid for any length of time as it has never been done before.
According to proponents of Malic Acid it works to help the body detoxify itself of high levels of Aluminum and Phosphorous absorbed from other foods and plays an essential role in the production of energy. It's the latter effect that is supposed to have the pain relieving attribute for those of us suffering from various chronic pain conditions; although no one is willing to go out on a limb say just how it increases energy, or why that increase in energy would alleviate my pain.
Now I think it's wonderful that I have a doctor who is ready and willing to look into alternative ways he can use to treat his patients. I wish more doctors were like him, and open to a more holistic approach to medicine. (Don't panic, holistic just means treating the whole body not just the symptoms and makes sense when you're dealing with long-term acute conditions) But neither of us really knew anything about Malic Acid and he doesn't have time to do research, so he knew that by planting the idea in my ear I'd check it out.
Article comments
1 - Chris C
You want to try a suppliment that can and will help you? Take the 90 day Xango challenge. take it for 90 days and then decide before you judge. Look into the research.
www.thatsgreatjuice.com
2 - Brain Fog
There is a *massive* amount of hype regarding supplements. A definitive list is needed to narrow it down, backed up by scientific studies. Problem is, many supplements have studies that assert there are definite benefits to some compound, and other studies assert the opposite - that such a compound may be detrimental. It's a slippery slope to use supplements, especially those which contain multiple ingredients which may interact with the body in unpredictable ways, and in ways which aren't simply the same as specific ingredients taken in isolation! The brain is a fragile device but you can tinker with it and improve it, that's for sure. Unfortunately you also can make it worse in the process, so supplements need to be carefully assessed!
3 - Jeannie Danna
Richard,
This a great article. Holistic health is a wonderful approach to living a full and happy life.
We started watching "You Are what You Eat" with Gillian McKeith, just five short months ago, and let me tell you how wonderful both my husband and I feel today!
It didn't take many episodes before I really started looking at what we put in our bodies..OMG
Today, if you look in our pantry you can actually read all the ingredients. The fridge is stocked with fresh whole foods absent of meat and dairy products.
Before starting this life style change, we were both bloated and tired. I had aches and pains all over at night...plus horrible night-sweats!
After about two weeks, we both started to physically and mentally change: more energy-now we excersise, improved immune systems- not one cold or cough since..not even a sniffle!
Some people might say "I don't have time to prepare these meals."
Yes, it did take time to learn a whole new way of cooking and not cooking..but now meals take around an hour to prepare, sometimes just twenty minutes!!
Can I suggest sweat potatoes? or is your wife also allergic to these?
Also, maybe you could buy fruit just for you.
I like your doctor! There are not many Docs here in the States with a holistic approach to medicine; with the Food and Drug administration, the Big Pharmas pushing all those additives and the big farmers pumping out massive amounts of High Fructose corn syrup.. it's a wonder that we are not all sick and dying here!
My sister-in -law suffers from FM, and I am so angry at her doctors; their answer has been Morphine for the last four years!