Magnesium could relieve fibromyalgia and migraines

Fibromyalgia is a difficult disease to diagnose and even more difficult to treat, especially since it presents no visible lesion, but that it is the cause of general chronic pain.

Also, when a 2022 clinical trial tested magnesium as a potential treatment, it was easy to be skeptical. Could a simple mineral supplement really make the difference? Some health professionals think so.

“Magnesium levels are one of the first things I approach when someone presents persistent pain,” said Epoch Times Jodi Duval, Naturopathe.

Study results

The clinical trial has shown, for the first time, that magnesium can help relieve symptoms of fibromyalgia, especially stress and pain. The participants were assigned randomly to take either 100 mg of a slow magnesium supplement, or a placebo, once a day for a month. The main objective of the study was to assess whether magnesium could reduce stress levels, as stress often triggers fibromyalgia. The researchers also followed the pain, the quality of sleep, fatigue and general well-being.

At the end of the month, the results were mixed. Global stress levels have tended to lower in the group under magnesium, but the results were not significant. However, after a more in -depth examination, the researchers noticed something interesting: in participants who had started studying with light to moderate stress, magnesium made a clear difference. In this subgroup, stress scores have dropped significantly, while the placebo group has not shown a change, or very light.

The severity of the pain has also decreased with magnesium supplementation. A small, but significant change, which suggests that this mineral could play a role in the alleviation of the burden of fibromyalgia. In moderately stressed participants, pain scores went from 5.7 to 5.1 on a 10 -point scale, while the placebo group has shown no improvement. Sleep, fatigue and overall quality of life remained largely unchanged between groups. Nevertheless, for people who are tired of side effects and short -term solutions, the mild and low risk of magnesium benefits can be worthy of interest.

Fibromyalgia and headache

Fibromyalgia and headache are only two of the many conditions for which the potential role of magnesium in pain relief is under study. It is often seen that patients with fibromyalgia have lower magnesium levels in their blood, hair and diet.

Magnesium levels in the blood are generally measured by a serum magnesium test. However, it only measures a small fraction of total magnesium in the body, because most of the magnesium is stored in the bones and tissues. It is important to note that a normal serum level does not necessarily exclude a magnesium deficiency in the tissues. In some cases, hair analysis or urinary tests can be used to assess the state of magnesium, although these methods are less common.

“I saw excellent results with magnesium in cases of fibromyalgia, syndromes of scapegoat, migraines, tension headaches, and even more,” said Jodi Duval.

Magnesium plays an essential role in the development and progression of migraines and tension headaches. Although the exact cause of migraines remains vague, we know that magnesium influences certain mechanisms, including the release of neurotransmitters, brain excitability and blood coagulation. Low levels of magnesium have been constantly associated with migraines, and some studies suggest that supplementation can help reduce the frequency or severity of crises.

A study revealed that 80 % of patients who received 1 gram of intravenous magnesium had no pain in 15 minutes.

In some cases, supplementation has resulted in lasting improvement in people with tension headache, which lasted up to a year or more. In a case-control study on 40 patients, a magnesium infusion completely eliminated pain in 32 participants in 15 minutes.

How magnesium works

Magnesium is becoming a promising solution for chronic pain, but how does it support the pain relief exactly?

One of the main ways in which magnesium helps reduce pain is to block the N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) receptors, which play an essential role in the communication of nerve cells. Although these receptors are important for learning and memory, their overactivation allows excess calcium to enter neurons, which contributes to pain. By preventing calcium from entering cells through NMDA receptors, magnesium helps prevent the nervous system from becoming too sensitive to pain and relieves various painful conditions.

In addition, magnesium preserves the electrical potential of nerve cells, which contributes to the regulation of pain.

“Magnesium is a powerful modulator of both pain and inflammation,” said Jodi Duval.

“It is a basic nutrient. Without him, other painkillers are often not as effective, ”she added.

“The role of magnesium in reducing pain perception could also be linked to its ability to regulate muscle contraction and protect the cartilage from degradation,” said Epoch Times Emma Laing, nutritionist-dietician.

Oral and intravenous (IV) magnesium supplementation differs by its speed and effectiveness. Oral supplements (generally pills or powders) are the best for light to moderate deficiencies or for long -term maintenance, although they can cause digestive side effects such as diarrhea and are absorbed more slowly.

On the other hand, the magnesium administered intravenously is injected directly into a vein and used in more urgent or serious cases – such as lightning, certain arrhythmias or when the oral track is not possible. Its action is rapid and bypasses the digestive system. However, this method requires medical supervision due to the risk of overdose and is not suitable for everyday use.

The effectiveness of magnesium in pain management depends not only on its action mechanisms, but also on its shape. Bisglycinate magnesium, for example, is well absorbed and has a soothing effect, which makes it ideal for muscle tensions, like those felt in fibromyalgia, explains Jodi Duval. It also mentions that magnesium chloride applied locally – which is found in particular in Epsom salts – offers targeted relief of the sovereign muscles.

By oral route, L-Threonate magnesium is particularly interesting for fighting neuro-inflammation and brain pain, such as migraines, because it can cross the blood-brain barrier, she adds.

Tips to increase its magnesium intake

Jodi Duval recommends several foods rich in magnesium to people with chronic pain, including:

• Squash seeds

• Green leaf vegetables

• Lawyers

• Cashew nuts

• Dark chocolate

• Bananas

To easily integrate them into daily meals, she suggests sprinkling squash seeds on breakfast, adding green vegetables to each lunch and dinner, and favor snacks rich in magnesium such as shellfish or avocado with a pinch of sea salt. In general, two to four weeks of regular intake, via food or supplements, are necessary to see an improvement in chronic pain.

However, Jodi Duval often prefers to base himself on the evolution of symptoms rather than on the only results of blood tests to assess progress.

“Magnesium levels in the tissues can be low even when blood rates seem normal,” she said.

Drug interactions

Considering magnesium supplementation requires caution, as these supplements can interact with certain drugs and other supplements.

For example, magnesium can reduce the efficiency of certain antihypertensions, such as calcium inhibitors and diuretics, which can themselves lower or increase magnesium levels in the body. In addition, magnesium intake in parallel with supplements such as calcium or vitamin D may require doses adjustment. It is therefore essential to consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplementation.

Emma Laing stresses that collaborating with a dietitian nutritionist graduate can help guarantee an adapted to age, lifestyle and medical history.

Perspectives

If magnesium is not a miracle solution, recent research indicates that it could offer gentle support – especially for stress and pain. For those who live with daily discomfort, even small regular actions aimed at improving magnesium intake can make a real difference.