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ME/CFS AUSTRALIA (SA) INC
Registered Charity 698
Mailing address:
GPO Box 383,
Adelaide,
South Australia 5001
Office:
266 Port Road,
Hindmarsh,
South Australia 5007
Ph: (08) 8346 3237
('834 MECFS')
Office Hours:
Wednesdays, 10am-3pm
Support Line:
(Mondays and Thursdays,
10am-3pm)
Ph: (08) 8346 3237
SA country callers:
Ph: 1300 128 339
(local call)
FIBROMYALGIA HELP: Contact Fibromyalgia SA at the Arthritis Foundation of SA 118 Richmond Road, Marleston 5033 Ph: (08) 8379 5711 |
ME/CFS Australia (SA) Inc supports the needs of sufferers of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and related illnesses. We do this by providing services and information to members.
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Disclaimer
ME/CFS Australia (SA) Inc aims to keep members informed of the various research projects, diets, medications, therapies etc. All communication, both verbal and written, is merely to disseminate information and not to make recommendations or directives.
Unless otherwise stated, the views expressed on this Web site are not necessarily the official views of the Society or its Committee and are not simply an endorsement of products or services.
Talking Point
December 1999
In this issue:
Improved
services
Colostrum study
Magnesium
Recent papers
Notice to vendors
Magnesium as a treatment
By Anne Tichborne
Some of our members have been reporting benefits from using magnesium supplements. To help you decide whether this treatment might be worth trying, we provide you with this information:
Excerpt from “Chronic Fatigue Syndrome –
A Treatment Guide”
by Erica F Verillo and Lauren Gellman (Griffin NY 1997)
Excerpt from “M.E.: How to live with it”
by Dr Anne Macintyre (Harper-Collins London 1992)
Literature available from the Society
Excerpt from “Chronic Fatigue Syndrome – A treatment guide”
By Erica F Verillo and Lauren Gellman (Griffin NY 1997)
Background
Magnesium is one of the six major minerals classified as essential for human body functioning. The average human body contains about 25mg of magnesium salts, about half of which is stored in the bones and one-fourth in muscle. Only about 2% circulates freely in the blood. The rest is located within the cells. Blood levels of magnesium are controlled by the kidneys.
Magnesium is necessary for relaying nervous system impulses and for normal metabolism of calcium and potassium. Much like a vitamin, magnesium functions as a co-enzyme, aiding in enzyme systems, storage and release of energy generated from carbohydrates, and synthesis of proteins and DNA. Magnesium deficiency can result in anorexia, nausea, learning difficulties, personality changes, weakness, exhaustion and muscle pain.
Use in CFIDS
In early 1991 a team of researchers (IM Cox, MJ Campbell and D Dowson) published a preliminary study on magnesium levels in CFIDS patients (Lancet, 1991). All 22 patients studied had reduced levels of serum magnesium. They followed up their findings with a randomized clinical study in which 15 of the patients received intramuscular injection of magnesium sulphate every week for six weeks and 17 received a placebo. Of the 15 patients receiving magnesium, 12 reported improvement in symptoms. Although the study has subsequently received criticism (mostly because of design flaws), magnesium is still the most frequently recommended mineral supplement for patients with CFIDS. It is chiefly used to relieve pain and muscle weakness and to improve stamina.
Protocol
Magnesium can be administered either orally or by injection. Because oral magnesium is difficult to absorb, the forms most frequently recommended are magnesium citrate, magnesium oxide and magnesium glycinate. Magnesium glycinate causes the least intestinal upset. The usual recommended dosage is 200 to 400mg per day taken with food, although CFIDS patients are cautioned to start with a smaller dose and increase it gradually. A calcium supplement should be taken along with the magnesium to avoid creating a mineral imbalance. Intramuscular injections of 1gm of magnesium sulphate (50%) can be administered once or twice a week. Because of magnesium’s effect on heart function, the first injection should be performed in a physician’s office.
Pros and cons
Most people who take magnesium, whether oral or injected, report increased stamina and energy. Many include better sleep as an additional benefit (most likely due to magnesium’s muscle-relaxing effects). The main drawback of injected magnesium is that the injections are painful. The simultaneous administration of Vitamin B12 or lidocaine helps relieve the pain of the injection. Because magnesium is a cathartic, high doses can cause diarrhoea. In patients prone to gastro-intestinal upset, a low dose is normally recommended.
Excerpt from “M.E.: How to live with it”
By Dr Anne Macintyre (Harper-Collins London 1992)
In ME there is a delay in recovery of muscle fibres after contracting, and a low level of magnesium in the cell may contribute to this.
If you supplement magnesium by mouth, take enough to give about 500mg elemental magnesium a day, until there is improvement. Then about 300mg daily as maintenance, depending on your symptoms such as panic attacks and insomnia. Amino acid chelated magnesium is a good form to take.
Some doctors advise that calcium should be taken as well, as a separate supplement, about 500mg a day.
The Newcastle University research team (Dr Hugh Dunstan et al) have shown that some people with pain and fatigue have a high level of citrate, which is associated with the removal of magnesium from the body. If you want to see if this applies to you, a urine analysis can be arranged by phoning Bioscreen Specialty Testing, (02) 4961 6467 or faxing (02) 4961 6513.
Literature available from the Society
The Society has a collection of scientific papers from the Collaborative Pain Research Unit, University of Newcastle, plus information about Bioscreen tests and follow-up treatments. To obtain copies, call the Information Line on (08) 8232 7077.
Both “Chronic Fatigue Syndrome – A treatment guide” and “ME: How to live with it” are available from the DIRC Library, 195 Gilles Street, Adelaide, or by inter-library loan through your local library.
Have you tried magnesium?
There has been so little research, and the Society would like to collect testimonials from ME/CFS patients who have used a magnesium supplement in any form, whether it has helped them or not. For tips on what to include in a testimonial contact the Information Officer on (08) 8223 7722. We also want testimonials on other forms of treatment.
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