Fw: Natural care tips for counseling on fibromyalgia

[Guest guest]

Natural care tips for counseling on fibromyalgia

> The Fibrom-L Community Update - http://www.fibrom-l.org

>

> --------------------------- ListBot Sponsor --------------------------

> Start Your Own FREE Email List at http://www.listbot.com/links/joinlb

> ----------------------------------------------------------------------

>

> Editors Note: Here is a Pharacist's recommendation to other Pharmacists

> for counselling patients with FMS using Vitamins and Suppliments.

>

> Natural care tips for counseling on fibromyalgia.

> Author/s: B. R.ph., D.h.m., D.h.ph., N.m.d. Lavalle

> Issue: August 24, 1998

>

> Fibromyalgia is a soft tissue, non-articular rheumatic syndrome with

> symptoms of chronic aches, pains and stiffness, with trigger points or

> specific sites of exaggerated tenderness. With as much as 4 percent of the

> population suffering from this disease, modem medical science has yet to

> find a cure or even to treat this problem effectively. Fibromyalgia bears

> a striking resemblance to chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and mainly

> affects women aged 25 to 50, with the female-to-male ratio being

> approximately 5:1. Fibromyalgia symptoms may be triggered by a number of

> factors, including overexertion, stress, lack of exercise, anxiety,

> depression, lack of sleep, trauma, extreme temperature and/or humidity

> changes and infectious diseases. Fibromyalgia diagnosis is based on

> specific site tenderness points, which are assessed by a variety of

> techniques. These tender points are located on positions on the body that

> have been most frequently reported to cause problems in fibromyalgia

> patients. The American College of Rheumatology has developed several

> criteria for assessment of fibromyalgia patients: * Diffused

> musculoskeletal pain for at least three months. * Stiffness that worsens

> in the morning. * Tenderness to palpation of at least 11 of the 18 tender

> points. * Sleep disturbances. * Fatigue and/or anxiety. * Depression. * GI

> disturbances. * Subjective soft tissue disturbances. * Cardiovascular

> complaints (dizziness, palpitations). Possible causes Studies have shown

> that victims of fibromyalgia appear to have microcirculatory problems,

> along with mitochondrial damage and abnormally low phosphate levels,

> suggesting an energy-deficient state of the muscular [tissue.sup.(1)(2)].

> Muscle hypoxia may develop, leading to fatigue and other symptoms, such as

> pain. Glucose has the primary function of providing fuel for the body. It

> does this in two ways. First, through glycolysis or the breakdown of

> glucose into pyruvic acid and at times lactic acid (anaerobically

> produced). The second pathway is the conversion of pyruvic acid, in the

> presence of oxygen, to carbon dioxide and water. A by-product of this

> conversion is the production of ATP in the Krebs cycle. Under various

> stresses, the amount of ATP production may not be able to keep up with the

> demand, thereby causing fatigue, muscular aches and other problems.

> Because the Krebs cycle is relatively slow in production, the glycolytic

> pathway is utilized by the body in many situations to produce energy;

> however, this leads to a production of dlactic acid, which diffuses and

> accumulates into the muscular tissue. Fatigue usually is correlated with

> the depletion of glycogen stores and an increase in lactic acid buildup.

> These are hallmark traits in individuals suffering from symptoms of

> fibromyalgia. Recent evidence suggests that magnesium deficiency may be

> crucial in development of symptoms of [fibromyalgia.sup.3]. Magnesium is

> necessary in most biochemical processes, including ATP synthesis and

> subsequent cellular energy production. Mitochondrial uptake and

> accumulation of magnesium are directly related to the uptake of phosphate

> required for ADP phosphorylation. Of particular interest is that magnesium

> is necessary in aluminum detoxification in the body, and aluminum inhibits

> glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation, resulting in decreased

> intramitochondrial ATP production. Additionally, due to its high affinity

> for phosphate groups, aluminum blocks the absorption and utilization of

> phosphates vital to the synthesis of ATP. Aluminum toxicity is known to

> cause metabolic disturbances and has been implicated in Alzheimer's

> disease, and detoxification is critical to keep the body and mind healthy.

> Researchers have found that in addition to adequate amounts of magnesium

> supplemented in the diet, malic acid supplementation may also be

> beneficial in improving the symptoms of aluminum toxicity and fibromyalgia

> [specifically.sup.(3)(4)]. Also, irritable bowel syndrome, which is a

> smooth muscle dysfunction specifically in the gut causing diarrhea, cramps

> or dry constipation, has been implicated in fibromyalgia. IBS individuals

> report bloating and a feeling of fullness or stretching. Fibromyalgia

> patients frequently complain of GI disturbances, commonly caused by IBS.

> Proper nutrition and dietary supplementation is imperative in improving

> symptoms of IBS and fibromyalgia. Leaky gut syndrome is a condition that

> may cause IBS, and also needs to be addressed in the fibromyalgia patient.

> This syndrome is the erosion of the microvilli of the mucosal lining,

> allowing larger than normal molecules, such as proteins, to enter the

> bloodstream, causing fatigue and resulting muscular pain among other

> problems. Candida overgrowth is common in leaky gut syndrome, caused by

> various factors, including antibiotic use. The use of NSAIDs, aspirin and

> other acidic medications may also contribute to leaky gut syndrome.

> Correction of these problems is essential in treating the fibromyalgia

> patient. Improvement of the underlying metabolic and physiological

> imbalances, including leaky gut syndrome, IBS and magnesium deficiency, is

> essential. The following protocol may be effective in relieving the

> symptoms of fibromyalgia. Do not discontinue any prescribed medications

> without consulting a physician. Natural tips for counseling fibromyalgia

> patients * A quality multivitamin daily. * Caprylic acid or grapefruit

> seed extract (liquid or tablets): Use 1 tablet tid-qid or 5 drops in water

> tid-qid. * Acidophilus/bifidus: Adults: one-half teaspoonful qid-bid mixed

> in juice or water. * Magnesium malate: 1,200-2,400 mg daily in divided

> doses. * Adrenal complex tablet (with B complex): 1 tablet 2-3 times

> daily. * Antioxidants (use at least two of the following): * Green tea,

> 100-300 mg bid, standardized to 50 percent polyphenols and 40-65 percent

> catechin fraction per dose. * Coenzyme Q1O, 20-50 mg daily. * Alpha-lipoic

> acid, 10-50 mg daily. * Vitamin E, 4001U daily. * Turmeric, 300 mg

> bid-tid, standardized to 90 percent curcuminoids/dose. * Bilberry, 80-240

> mg daily in divided doses, standardized to 25 percent anthocyanidins/dose.

> * Stinging nettle leaf (to help eliminate excess uric acid): 250-500 mg

> tid-qid; freeze dried leaf preferred. * Homeopathic arthritis/rheumatism

> formula: One tablet qid, sublingually. * Peppermint oil (entericcoated

> tablets, not mints): 1 tablet qid. Be sure that an appropriate diet of

> plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables (organically grown, if possible) and

> limited refined foods and sugars is followed. Good sources of dietary

> magnesium include: * Soybean products. * Whole wheat flour (not in

> hypersensitive individuals). * Buckwheat flour. * Almonds. * Cashews. *

> Rice. * Most legumes. Many prescription medications may aggravate the

> symptoms of fibromyalgia, and appropriate counseling and alerting the

> physician is necessary in patients presenting symptoms of fibromyalgia.

> Medications include: * Antibiotics--causes imbalance in normal microflora,

> leading to leaky gut syndrome. * NSAIDs/ASA--causes gut erosion and

> irritable bowel syndrome. * Anticholinergic agents--dry secretions,

> increasing constipation. * Oral contraceptives. * Diuretics. If properly

> diagnosed, and with appropriate diet and dietary supplementation,

> fibromyalgia can be effectively controlled, allowing millions of suffering

> individuals to live pain-free, productive and fulfilling lives.

> References: 1. G. Ferracopoili, et al., " Neuroendocrinologic Findings in

> Primary Fibromyalgia (Soft Tissue Chronic Pain Syndrome) and in Other

> Chronic Rheumatic Conditions, " J Rheumatology 17(1990): 1241-54. 2. A.T.

> Masi, et al., " Concepts of Illness m Populations as Applied to

> Fibromyalgia Syndrome, " Am J Med 51(1986): 19-25. 3. G. E. Abraham, et

> al., " Management of Fibromyalgia: Rationale for the Use of Magnesium and

> Malic Acid, " J Nutri Med 3 (1992): 49-50. 4. J. L. Domingo, et al.,

> " Citric, Malic, and Succinic Acids as Possible Alternatives to

> Deferoxamine in Aluminum Toxicity, " Clin Tox 26 (1,2) (1988): 67-79.

>

> COPYRIGHT 1998 Lebhar-Friedman, Inc.

>

> COPYRIGHT 2000 Gale Group

> ************************************************************

> Chip publishes and maintains The

> Fibrom-L Community Website, <http://www.fibrom-l.org> dedicated to the

> Fibrom-L Email Discussion. (a privately owned site not affiliated with

> MIT) Join our mailing list!

>

> ************************************************************

>

> Health Information Disclaimer

>

> The Fibrom-L Community provides resources for informational purposes.

> Health information should always be carefully reviewed with your health

> care provider. The Fibrom-L Community will not be held responsible for

> misuse of information or any adverse effects of recommendations stated in

> these resources.

>

> Some resource sites that represent commercial ventures are included

> because they are also of informational value. The Fibrom-L Community does

> not recommend the use of any particular company or product.

>

> The views or opinions stated in the resources collected here do not

> necessarily reflect those of the Fibrom-L Community, or its owner, Chip

> .. The Fibrom-L Community assumes no responsibility for any

> discrepancies or errors contained in these resources.

>

> Any and all revenue generated from the banner ads and commercial links on

> this site is used for the sole purpose of maintaining the site, the fees

> charged by the ISP, domain name registration and other associated costs.

>

> No personal profit is gained from any advertising on the Fibrom-L

> Community.

>

>

> ______________________________________________________________________

> To unsubscribe, write to fibroml-unsubscribe@...

>

>