Fibromyalgia symptoms are affected by the body’s calcium-magnesium ratio

Fibromyalgia causes muscle pains, tiredness, sleep problems, and impaired quality of life. It is primarily women who are affected, and several studies have shown that diet plays a role in the development of the disease. The same goes for the the intake of calcium and magnesium, which must be balanced correctly. Magnesium deficiency is rather common and can increase the risk of metabolic disturbances and inflammation, which contributes to the development and symptoms of the disease. This was shown in a study of women that is published in Advances in Rheumatology. Patients suffering from fibromyalgia should also pay attention to Q10 deficiency and food intolerance.

Numerous studies show that patients suffering from fibromyalgia often lack vitamins and minerals. Many are overweight and they have a six-fold increased risk of developing metabolic syndrome (the early stage of type 2 diabetes), compared with healthy controls. Fibromyalgia patients often have insulin resistance, hypertension, enlarged waist circumference, elevated long-term glucose levels (HbA1c), and elevated serum levels of triglycerides.
Earlier studies have shown that magnesium is important for the nervous system, muscles, cardiovascular system, and blood sugar levels. Furthermore, magnesium is a calcium antagonist, which is why the researchers behind the new study wanted to look at its role in relation to fibromyalgia.
The study was carried out on 53 women with fibromyalgia and 50 healthy female controls that were matched with regard to age and BMI. The average age in both groups was 48 years, and the average BMI was 26, which is above the normal range of 23-27. All women had their blood levels of calcium and magnesium measured. The blood tests also provided details about blood sugar, triglycerides, and C-reactive protein (CRP). CRP levels are elevated if there is infection and chronic inflammation.
Their study showed that the fibromyalgia group had an inverse relation between magnesium and CRP, which meant that low magnesium lead to elevated CRP with subsequent chronic inflammation and fibromyalgia symptoms. The study also showed that there was a positive relation between blood levels of calcium and triglycerides. In other words, higher levels of calcium in the blood were associated with elevated triglyceride levels. The scientists therefore assume that calcium and magnesium play a key role in the metabolic disturbances and inflammation processes that are seen with fibromyalgia.

Why is the calcium-magnesium ratio so important?

Magnesium and calcium have an antagonistic effect on one another. We have magnesium in the calcium channels of our cell membranes, where it serves as a door bolt that opens and shuts to control how much calcium enters the different cells. Around 99 percent of the body’s calcium is stored in bone cells, while cells in soft tissues (muscles, tendons, etc.) are virtually devoid of calcium. If cells in the soft tissues are flooded with calcium ions, they become overstimulated and malfunction. If we lack magnesium, we risk that the cells in our muscle and nerve cells are flooded by calcium, which can result in cellular stress, cramps, and inflammation. The balance between calcium and magnesium is also vital for the different enzyme processes that are involved in energy turnover, neurotransmission, and brain activity.

Why is the dietary calcium-magnesium ratio often incorrect?

We get quite a lot of calcium from dairy products, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and kernels. In addition, many women take calcium supplements, which means their daily calcium intake can be quite high. A large portion of the world’s population cannot tolerate dairy products. However, they can easily get enough calcium for bone health by eating the right diet.
Magnesium is something we primarily get from coarse greens, but many people, fibromyalgia patients included, don’t follow the dietary guidelines. To make matters worse, using antacids and diuretics can reduce the uptake and utilization of magnesium. Also, insulin resistance (which many fibromyalgia patients suffer from) causes loss of magnesium, and that can easily turn into a vicious cycle.

• Fibromyalgia is becoming increasingly common, especially among women.
• The typical symptoms are burning muscle pain, lack of muscle strength, pain in the tendons and aching joints
• The condition may also lead to tiredness, sleep problems, headache, digestive problems, problems with concentrating, and depression because of the persistent symptoms
• Diet and lifestyle play a key role in the development of the disease

References:

Top Foods to Avoid with Fibromyalgia. Knee Pain Centers of America. 2024

Aline Andreatta et al. Relations between serum magnesium and calcium levels and body composition and metabolic parameters in women with fibromyalgia. Advances in Rheumatology. 2020