FIBROMYALGIA SYNDROME
What is Fibromyalgia Syndrome?
Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) is a widespread musculo-skeletal pain and fatigue disorder for which the cause is still unknown. More women than men are afflicted with FMS and it crosses age boundaries.
Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia means pain in the muscles, ligaments and tendons, and fibrous tissues in the body. Most FMS sufferers claim they ache all over, with a feeling that their muscles have been pulled – similar to what you might feel after doing strenuous exercise or work. This symptom can be mild, but in some patients, it can be incapacitating.
Possible Causes
The causes of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome remain elusive, but there are many triggering events thought to precipitate its onset. A few examples would be an infection (viral or bacterial), an automobile accident, or the development of another disorder such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or hypothyroidism.
One theory is the FMS sufferers’ immune systems may be functioning improperly. Patients are prescribed drugs to help strengthen the immune system.
Natural Treatment Works!
Patients undergoing medical treatment have reported improvements but say the beneficial affects rarely help beyond a few months.
In contrast, the use of nutritional supplementation has resulted in remarkable reductions of initial symptom severity, with continued improvement in the period between initial assessment and follow-up exam. Also, studies have found that fibromyalgia patients have a deficiency in certain nutrients.
Selenium Deficiency Found in Fibromyalgia Sufferers
Selenium, an antioxidant, helps to protect and maintain basic cellular health throughout the body. One study conducted in Germany on FMS patients found they had a significantly lower level of selenium as compared to the blood of non-fibromyalgia subjects.
Magnesium Deficiency and Fibromyalgia Patients
Magnesium is essential for the activity of many enzyme systems and plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy nerves, muscle membranes, and bones. Muscle pain has been associated with Magnesium and Selenium deficiency. Studies have found that decreased blood levels of magnesium existed in patients with fibromyalgia. This decreased amount is also associated with previously reported impairment of Thiamin (Vitamin B1) metabolism.
Improved Immune System
Vitamin B6 is an important vitamin necessary for healthy red blood cells, gums, teeth, blood vessels, and nervous system. In a study conducted on male patients taking Vitamin B6 supplements for a 3 to 6 week period, improvements were seen in numerous areas of immune function following the treatment.
Reduced Fatigue
Vitamin B1 provides the body with energy by converting carbohydrates into glucose. It also helps to maintain body temperature and muscle coordination. One study showed that supplementation of Vitamin B1 significantly suppressed blood glucose increases in subjects with normal B1 levels while it decreased the number of fatigue complaints.
Don’t Suffer One More Day
Unfortunately, the causes behind fibromyalgia have yet to be discovered. But as studies have shown, nutritional supplementation has been successful in relieving some symptoms.
Reinhard P; Schweinsberg F; et al. Selenium status in fibromyalgia. Toxicoi Lett 1998 Aug;96-97:177-8
Eisinger J; Plantamura A, et al. Selenium and magnesium status in fibromyalgia. Magnes Res 1994 Sec (3-4):285-8.
D.A. Casciato, et al. “Immunologic Abnormalities in Hemodialysis Patients: Improvement after Pyridoxine Therapy, Nephron, 38(1), 1984, p.9-16.
M. Suzuki, Y. Itakawa, Effects of Thiamine Supplementation on Exercise-induced Fatigue. Metabolic And Brain Dis. 11(1), March 1996, p.95-106.
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