About Malic Acid
Malic acid is a Krebs-cycle intermediate found in apples and used in supplements as a tart acidulant and as the counter-ion in mineral malates (e.g. magnesium malate). It has been trialed with magnesium for fibromyalgia energy/pain, but results are weak and confounded by the magnesium co-dose, so a standalone effect is not established. On labels the bare term 'Malate' is usually the anion of a mineral malate rather than a dosed active. Grades low.
What Malic Acid supports
- A Krebs-cycle intermediate studied with magnesium for fibromyalgia energy and pain, though evidence is weak and confounded
How much Malic Acid to take
The RDA prevents deficiency. The effective range is what clinical trials used to actually move the outcome.
Effective
600–2400
mg
Fibromyalgia trials combined ~1,200-2,400 mg/day malic acid with magnesium; also used at lower amounts as a tart flavoring/chelation partner. Study-derived, not a firm therapeutic standard.
Clinical evidence
Limited clinical evidence. Krebs-cycle acid; fibromyalgia data weak and confounded by co-dosed magnesium.