Malic Acid supplement, magnesium malate
January 6 2017 by Ray Sahelian, M.D.

Malic acid is a colorless, crystalline compound that occurs naturally in a wide variety of unripe fruit, including apples, cherries, and tomatoes, and is used as a flavoring and in the aging of wine. Malic acid, an organic acid, is sometimes referred to as a fruit acid. This is because malic acid is found in apples and other fruits. It is also found in plants and animals, including humans.

A review of Medline in 2016 did not reveal new studies done with malic acid in humans.

Biochemistry
Malic acid, in the form of its anion malate, is a key intermediate in the major biochemical energy-producing cycle in cells known as the citric acid or Krebs cycle located in mitochondria. The naturally occurring and biologically active stereoisomer of malic acid is the L-form.

High blood pressure, hypertension
Cell Rep. 2017. Malate and Aspartate Increase L-Arginine and Nitric Oxide and Attenuate Hypertension. Supplementation of aspartate or malate increased renal levels of L-arginine and NO and attenuated hypertension in SS rats. These findings reveal a multi-step metabolic pathway important for hypertension in which malate and aspartate may modulate blood pressure by altering levels of L-arginine and NO.

Malic acid and fibromyalgia
Some claim that malic acid, in combination with magnesium, is helpful for those with fibromyalgia.

J Rheumatol. 1995. Treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome with Super Malic: a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled, crossover pilot study. To study the efficacy and safety of Super Malic, a proprietary tablet containing malic acid (200 mg) and magnesium (50 mg), in treatment of primary fibromyalgia syndrome (FM). Twenty-four sequential patients with primary FM were randomized to a fixed dose (3 tablets bid), placebo controlled, 4-week/course, pilot trial followed by a 6-month, open label, dose escalation (up to 6 tablets bid) trial. A 2-week, medication free, washout period was required before receiving treatment, between blinded courses, and again before starting open label treatment. The 3 primary outcome variables were measures of pain and tenderness but functional and psychological measures were also assessed. No clear treatment effect attributable to Super Malic was seen in the blinded, fixed low dose trial. With dose escalation and a longer duration of treatment in the open label trial, significant reductions in the severity of all 3 primary pain/tenderness measures were obtained without limiting risks. These data suggest that Super Malic is safe and may be beneficial in the treatment of patients with FM. Future placebo-controlled studies should utilize up to 6 tablets of Super Malic bid and continue therapy for at least 2 months.

Malic Acid source
The source sold as a supplement is mainly derived from apples and is the L-form. Malic acid is formed during production and degradation of many fruits, including grapes.

Source Naturals Magnesium Malate, 1250 mg, 180 Tablets
Source Naturals Magnesium Malate is a compound of magnesium and malic acid, a natural fruit acid present in most cells in the body and is an important component of numerous enzymes key to ATP synthesis and energy production. Magnesium is an essential mineral in over 300 enzymatic reactions in metabolism. These reactions include those involved in the Krebs cycle (one of the body's main energy production processes), energy storage, the breakdown of fatty acids, protein synthesis, DNA metabolism, neurotransmitter activity and hormone regulation.*

Suggested Use: 1 to 3 tablets Magnesium Malate daily with meals, or as recommended by your health care professional.
Buy Magnesium Malate, Malic acid supplement on sale

Supplement Facts:
Serving Size 3 Tablets
Servings Per Container 60
Amount Per Serving %DV*
Sodium 5 mg <2%
Magnesium (as magnesium malate) 425 mg 110%
Malic acid (as magnesium malate and malic acid)