Alternative names: Hydroxysuccinic Acid
Malic acid is a naturally-occurring acid found in apples as well as other fruits. It has made its way into the list of supplemental ingredients as a support for the condition known as fibromyalgia.
It has been postulated that fibromyalgia is caused by local hypoxic (low oxygen) conditions within muscle fibers. The low oxygen levels require ATP to be made in an anaerobic environment, a set of reactions in which malate (the anion of malic acid) and magnesium are both required.
Malic acid, along with magnesium, has been successful in some preliminary trials in patients with fibromyalgia.
In trials, dosages of malic acid ranged from 1200-2400mg per day.