While the primary cause of fibromyalgia remains unclear, some experts suggest that high levels of physical and physiological stress can increase the risk of developing the syndrome. Patients experience fatigue, muscle pain, and tenderness in the abdomen. Drug therapy may alleviate some of the pain, but they do not treat the problem and often come with side effects. There are supplements for fibromyalgia that offer pain relief, but magnesium is considered the best.
Magnesium protects against strokes and corrects neurotransmitter imbalances in the brain
Magnesium plays many vital roles to support brain health. It enables crucial enzyme-based processes and acts as a vasodilator to increase the flow of blood to the brain. The mineral also protects the brain from the harmful effects of calcium and glutamate. In particular, magnesium deficiency increases the risk of depression and is linked to the onset of neurological degeneration and cell death.
Conversely, high levels help reduce the risk of a stroke. (Related: Adding magnesium sulfate to rice found to increase its anthocyanin content.)
A 2008 study by Swedish researchers at Karolinska Institutet evaluated the risk of stroke in a large cohort of smokers. Some of the participants took magnesium supplements, while others stuck to a regular diet. The researchers found a significant correlation between supplementation and a reduction in the chances of experiencing a stroke. Further, the majority of the strokes prevented by magnesium stemmed from hypertension caused by smoking.
Patients who have fibromyalgia also experience impaired brain function. They have trouble concentrating on a task, have memory gaps, and experience mood disturbances like depression and anxiety. Researchers believe that these issues stem from imbalances of epinephrine and serotonin in the brain. Magnesium supplementation indirectly raises the concentrations of these important neurotransmitters, thereby reversing the harmful effects of fibromyalgia on the mental functions of patients.
Supplementing with magnesium improves painful symptoms of fibromyalgia
The health benefits of magnesium are not limited to the brains of patients with fibromyalgia. The mineral also supports the growth and maintenance of the bones.
Half of the daily intake of magnesium goes into the skeleton while the rest gets used by the muscles and soft tissue. It protects against the advent of bone disease, normalizes blood glucose levels, and makes it less likely to get cardiovascular disease.
In 2013, researchers at Ac?badem University gathered female fibromyalgia patients. Initial blood testing showed that the red blood cells of participants with severe fibromyalgia symptoms displayed low levels of magnesium. The patients received either magnesium citrate, a conventional antidepressant, or both. By the end of the treatment period, the researchers found that magnesium supplementation improved the severity of fibromyalgia symptoms. When taken alongside the antidepressant, magnesium citrate helped alleviate symptoms of depression and improved the general mood of the participants. Even taking the magnesium supplement as a single therapy reduced the number of tender points in the abdomen and improved the overall relief from the pain of fibromyalgia.
In summary, magnesium shows its worth as a health supplement for fibromyalgia patients. Healthy people can also benefit from magnesium since it supports the normal functions of their brains and bones.
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