Malic acid is a naturally forming type of acid, which is produced both in the human body and in some foods. It plays an important role in the way the body produces adenosine triphosphate, a vital source of energy. Malic acid is also used as a flavoring, and is often blended with other acids, sugars and seasonings to create new tastes in foods and beverages.
Research has suggested that malic acid helps to improve the body's energy production. Some studies have shown that a combination of malic acid supplements and magnesium may help people with fibromyalgia by reducing pain levels and increasing endurance levels. Researchers also believe that malic acid supplements can treat many hypoxia (oxygen-deficient) related conditions, such as respiratory and circulatory problems, and chronic fatigue syndrome. Few studies have been conducted in these areas, however.
Because malic acid is produced naturally in the body, most people do not need to take malic acid supplements. Most studies of malic acid have used supplements ranging from 1,200 to 2,400 milligrams, usually in combination with magnesium.
Malic acid is found in a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. The highest amounts of malic acid are found in applies. As a result, malic acid is sometimes referred to as "apple acid." Malic acid is also available as a dietary supplement.
As of this writing, there are no known side-effects or drug interactions that result from taking malic acid. As always, however, make sure to consult with a licensed health care provider before taking malic acid or any other herbal remedy or dietary supplement.
References
Chronic pain afflicts over 20% of the adult population. Sadly, most MDs have essentially no education in treating pain, beyond offering a few toxic medications. Then they tend to steer people with pain away from those health practitioners who are trained. This puts the acupuncture community on the front lines for addressing this epidemic.
When the body is going through a stressful event, the sympathetic system is activated. This activation will help the body with a life-threatening situation. If this state is activated for prolonged periods of time, it starts to consume energy. These traumatic events that generate stressors in the autonomic nervous system (ANS) will eventually become internalized.
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One of the things that makes acupuncture so difficult to measure is that the medicine actually does contain some esoteric aspects. There have been numerous studies that demonstrate the neurochemical reasoning behind why acupuncture points stimulate the autonomic nervous system to enact change However, not all the benefits of TCM can easily be measured by randomized, controlled trials. But does that make them fundamentally and definitively untrue?
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