Magnesium Malate

[lesley2015]

Morning all,

Just wondered if any of you had used Magnesium Malate, someone advised I use it but side effects are tummy probs and bloating apparently?

Many thanks....

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Why was it suggested you should take it? Many of us use magnesium for muscle cramps but not necessarily the malate form. Magnesium malate has been touted for fibromyalgia pain - we don't have fibromyalgia. Many websites claim other benefits for it that are not proven - though I have no doubt their sales have a proven benefit to their bank accounts!!

All magnesium salts are likely to add to tummy problems if you take too much, magnesium salts have a laxative effect when you take more than you need at one go.

The various salts of magnesium are suggested for different things. Magnesium is magnesium and if you need magnesium for muscle cramps or to balance the calcium etc for bone strength it doesn't make a lot of difference which you choose - so get the cheapest or easiest to take. When it comes to the salt part, sulphate, malate, chloride etc, it is linked to other needs.

This article is a good outline:

healthline.com/nutrition/ma...

[lesley2015 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you as always PMRpro - I do have fibro as well, I have tried normal magnesium and to be honest didn't find any benefit and was told the Mag Malate worked better, but reading up I wasn't convinced so thank you 😊

[brandnewday10 in reply to lesley2015]

It would be worth trying different types of magnesium to see if you find one that will give you some relief. Give them time as well as it may not be instant. With supplements it is generally recommended that you take something for at least 3 months.

[brandnewday10 in reply to PMRpro]

I don't think it is right to tell someone all magnesium is the same and just to buy the cheapest or easiest to use. If magnesium is magnesium why are some forms of magnesium not allowed to be sold in the UK? Some forms of magnesium are easier for the body to absorb and use than others. Also, cheaper forms of magnesium supplements usually have binders and fillers than can make it harder for the body to break them down and absorb then not to mention can actually be detrimental to the body.

[Hidden in reply to brandnewday10]

It's quite clear that the suggestion was based on commercially available products. Not everyone can afford the so called good products. I presume you have joined today, perhaps you could fill your full profile so we get a sense of when you were diagnosed with PMR/GCA, your current dose of prednisolone and your general symptoms.

[brandnewday10 in reply to Hidden]

I am lucky enough to not suffer from PMR but unfortunately a friend has just been diagnosed so when looking online for dietary advice that may help her I came across this article. I am not here to troll or make assumptions about anyone's financial state. I am simply saying that magnesium comes in many forms and some are easier for the body to absorb than others so if the original poster has tried a magnesium supplement before and it didn't assist as it has with others it may be worth trying a different form. My other reason for posting, and I still stand by it, is that it is generally regarded that cheaper forms of supplementation can sometimes come with unwanted, or even detrimental to the body, binders and fillers. I am not saying go out and spend £20/40/100 on a supplement as it is not always the case that the more expensive the supplement the better it will be either. I just don't agree with "get the cheapest". You should be looking at quality and getting the best that you can within your budget.

[Hidden in reply to brandnewday10]

My budget is 5 pounds. For all and any supplements.

[Yellowbluebell in reply to brandnewday10]

Maybe your friend would like to join the forum herself and we will be better placed to help her.

[Hidden in reply to brandnewday10]

I am well aware of the ways that fillers and binders can effect the body. I have to take several drugs and can tell if they have changed the brand without looking for many of them. But more expensive as a judgement of quality is different to my judgement. Mine is the supplement/drug has a good effect rather than bad. If £2 supplements work for someone, and they have for me when I have taken any, I don't see a problem as long as they are from a reputable source.

[Yellowbluebell in reply to Hidden]

Just wonder at the mentality that insists that dearest is best!! It isnt always the case!

[brandnewday10 in reply to Yellowbluebell]

I would think it would rarely be the best.

[brandnewday10 in reply to Hidden]

I'm not saying expense is the judge of quality either, as I mentioned to PMRpro. If the best product happens to be the best/works best for you that is great. I am just saying do a little research and don't just buy the cheapest. As you said if a £2 supplement works for someone then works for you that is great. But if a £2 supplement works for someone then you buy one at £1.50 as it is cheaper but doesn't work for you, don't rule out the £2 one. That would be the same as going up the way. If you then try a £5 one, trying to get the most out of your budget, but it doesn't work, try the £2 one.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to brandnewday10]

That isn't what I said - I said the magnesium part is all the same, and it is. And almost all forms will have binders and fillers - some may find the stuff in the more expensive ones problematic. You will find that things available in the UK are not available in other countries - usually little to do with whether they are better or not.

[brandnewday10 in reply to PMRpro]

Yes, but it is what the magnesium is bound to that makes absorbability differ. I also did not state that things available or not available in the UK would be better or worse, I was saying that if all forms of magnesium are the same why would some not be permitted for use in the UK. I get what you are saying now, as yes, the magnesium part will not differ, but you do not get, or I am not aware of anyway, isolated magnesium in a supplement. I have only ever seen it as stearate, oxide, malate, apartate etc. As mentioned in my other reply I believe that you should be looking at the quality of the ingredients (no fillers and/or binders, natural fillers and/or binders, artificial fillers and/or binders) and get the best that suits your budget. I'm sure there will be many better quality products that are cheaper than more expensive alternatives but I still don't agree and simply buying the cheapest if you don't have to.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to brandnewday10]

That's what I meant - the magnesium must be in the form of a salt to be absorbed by the body. No-one would expect to get magnesium metal as a supplement.

[lesley2015]

Oh dear .... it seems to have gone off track lol

So no actual experience of the Magnesium Malate .......?

Out of interest with the posts ... it is roughly £10 more for a pot of 90 (one month supply rec. dose 3 daily) - so not out of the question but not something I wanted to waste my money on because someone (albeit he was trying to be helpful), suggested it should help. But I am sure we have all come across people that have opinions on GCA/PMR, wanting to make you better with a healthy eating/living solution/etc, but in reality have no actual knowledge of the condition .... how many have said to me 'Oh I would never go on steroids ......'! If you haven't had the condition, it is very difficult to understand, hence how this forum is so useful - thank you all for your comments.

[Hidden in reply to lesley2015]

Oh dear....hope someone comes along. I can't remember which magnesium I took. M Malate is supposed to be absorbed more quickly and before tummy issues can start. Here's this link...but fingers crossed for first person evidence!!🤞

medium.com/@isotropeusa/mag...

[Baileyw06]

My Doctor said to get slow mag which is timed release and less side effects.It has worked for me.