Potential of Fibromyalgia-Fighting Nutrients

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Potential of Fibromyalgia-Fighting Nutrients

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By S. phs, M.D.

President, Vitacost.com

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Do you suffer with chronic fatigue to the point of always being

exhausted? Do you have chronic pain, with burning and aching in your

muscles? Do you have difficulty sleeping at night, difficulty getting

that deep, restful sleep that makes you feel refreshed in the morning?

If you have answered " yes " to one or more of these questions, you may be

suffering with a condition known as " fibromyalgia. "

Fibromyalgia is a somewhat controversial disorder. It is sometimes known

as " chronic fatigue syndrome, " " chronic myofascial pain syndrome " and

other names. It is estimated that up to about 5-6% of the population may

suffer with this condition. It seems to primarily affect women, although

it certainly does affect men and even children. The pain associated with

fibromyalgia can be limited or diffuse (spread out). Patients complain

of deep aching, throbbing, stabbing and shooting pains throughout their

body. , There may be tingling and numbness in the extremities, as well

as frequent morning stiffness and increasing discomfort. The fatigue

discussed can be quite overwhelming, to the point that it even

interferes with the simplest daily activities.

Additionally, most patients with fibromyalgia do have some associated

sleep disorder, which prevents them from getting a full, deep night of

sleep. There are other associated symptoms with fibromyalgia, including

migraine and irritable bowel syndrome. Many patients complain of

difficulties with their memory and concentration, skin sensitivities, or

mood swings. The cause of this ailment is not clearly known.

Unfortunately, there is no specific lab test for this condition. It

typically takes approximately five years to make an accurate diagnosis.

As a physician who cares for patients with fibromyalgia, I can tell you

first hand it can be an extremely disabling disorder -- as it affects

the patient, as well as the entire family.

With this as an introduction, I was happy to see an article appearing in

the current edition of the Journal of Rheumatology International. The

role of free radicals in fibromyalgia has been controversial. In a study

published in this journal, 85 female patients with primary fibromyalgia

were matched with 80 healthy women. Their oxidant/anti-oxidant balance

was measured. There was a particular toxic metabolite (a substance

essential to the process in which energy is provided and new material is

created) called malondialdehyde, which is used as a marker for free

radical damage. Additionally, there is an enzyme called superoxide

dismutase, which is a powerful anti-oxidant. It was found that those

women suffering with fibromyalgia had significantly higher levels of

malondialdehyde and significantly lower levels of superoxide dismutase,

compared to the controlled subjects. The authors concluded that the

oxidant/anti-oxidant balances were changed in fibromyalgia, and that

free radical levels may be responsible for the development of this

condition.

The traditional treatment for fibromyalgia in the United States

primarily involves drug therapy. Fortunately, there are some alternative

complimentary treatments as well. There are several nutrients that have

been shown over the years to have some benefit for this condition. In

one study, subjects were given oral doses of 200 mg of co-enzyme Q10 and

200 mg of gingko biloba each day for twelve weeks. A progressive

improvement in the quality of life scores was observed over the course

of the study. At the end of the study, 64% of individuals reported that

they were better, while only 9% claimed that they felt worse. In another

study, 21 consecutive patients with fibromyalgia were included in an

open four-week pilot study. These patients were given melatonin 3 mg at

bedtime. At the end of one month, patients reported a decrease in the

number of tender points and severity of pain, along with overall

improvement in sleep. Although this was an open study, the preliminary

results suggest that melatonin could be an alternative and safe

treatment for patients with fibromyalgia.

The micro-mineral selenium has been studied in fibromyalgia. In one

study from about five years ago, 68 consecutive patients with

fibromyalgia were matched with 97 healthy controls. It was found that

those patients suffering with fibromyalgia had a significantly decreased

amount of selenium in their blood compared to the controlled subjects.

Selenium is renowned as a powerful anti-oxidant, and it is a co-factor

for certain anti-oxidant enzymes in the body. Without the addition of

adequate selenium, these enzymes cannot properly function.

Other nutrients that have shown some benefit for fibromyalgia include

malic acid and magnesium. The typical recommended dose of magnesium is

400-600 mg daily and malic acid 1,000-1,500 mg daily. Finally, there is

one nutrient that I have saved for last which is probably the most

powerful -- S-adenosylmethionine (otherwise known as SAMe). In one study

published in the Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology, 800 mg of SAMe

was administered daily, versus placebo for 6 weeks in 44 patients with

primary fibromyalgia (double-blinded). At the end of the study, there

was a statistically significant improvement in pain, fatigue, morning

stiffness and mood in the treated group, compared to the placebo group.

If you suffer with fibromyalgia or know someone who does, you may have

been searching for this information for a long time. I know how

desperate patients with fibromyalgia can be. I would recommend Synergy

<http://www.vitacost.com/Store/Products/ProductDescription.cfm?SKUNumber

=0101> Multi-vitamin from Nutracuetical Sciences Institute (NSI) as a

core vitamin, mineral and antioxidant complex. To this, I would add

supplemental daily doses of NSI

<http://www.vitacost.com/Store/Products/ProductDescription.cfm?SKUNumber

=0148> gingko boloba 120 mg, NSI

<http://www.vitacost.com/Store/Products/ProductDescription.cfm?SKUNumber

=0180> coenzyme Q10 200 mg, Source

<http://www.vitacost.com/Store/Products/ProductDescription.cfm?SKUNumber

=021078016007> Natural's magnesium malate complex, and at least 400 mg a

day of Source

<http://www.vitacost.com/Store/Products/ProductDescription.cfm?SKUNumber

=021078014003> Natural's SAMe. Additionally, you should take melatonin 3

mg at bedtime. If you are not used to taking vitamins, you might start

with half doses of everything for one or two weeks, then go to full

doses. Certainly give it at least 6-8 weeks to determine if you are

getting any benefit. Although I have not seen any specific studies in

the use of NSI's alpha lipoic acid and acetyl-L carnitine in

fibromyalgia, the following nutrients, which help with energy

production, might also give additional benefit. As always, we welcome

your comments.