Nutrition and Supplements for Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is chronic and may cause pain in the muscles, ligaments, and tendons; fatigue; and multiple tender points on the body. No one totally knows what causes it, but there is evidence that people with fibromyalgia may be more sensitive to pain because something is wrong with the body’s usual pain perception processes. More women than men have it. This disease is different for everyone, and although it can be debilitating for some, it is not degenerative or life-threatening, and you can manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life with professional and self care, along with a balanced diet and exercise program.

If you are into self care, different options, like supplements, may help if the proper medication is not available. You need to remember that everyone is unique, and that the results one person gets after taking a supplement may be a lot different than someone else.

There are claims by people that they got rid of the disease by using a wide range and combination of supplements. Although you ought to be skeptical of all such claims, it cannot hurt to give supplements a shot. Who knows? This might actually prove to be the solution to all your problems. Even if you do not completely get rid of your troubles, you will at least find the intensity of the symptoms go down.

The internet can provide you with a lot of information on not only the kind of supplements that you should consume and here are some leading sites where you can get these supplements.

Since vitamins C, B and E are essential supplements as suggested by experts, it would do no one any harm to take a daily dose of age and gender specific multivitamin. Zinc and magnesium are two of the other important supplements required to reduce the symptoms of this disease.

Here is some good information on Nutrition and Supplements that I got from researching the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Eat a healthy diet. Eat fewer carbohydrates and more protein. Consume unsaturated fats in moderation. Eat plant-based foods such as vegetables, whole grains, fruits, plus essential fatty acids (cold-water fish, nuts, and seeds). Some people see an improvement by following a vegan diet (no animal products).

Avoid alcohol and caffeine, and limit foods that are high in sugar, salt, and fat. Avoid foods with additives such as monosodium glutamate (MSG).

If your symptoms seem worse after eating specific foods, try an elimination diet: Remove suspected allergens from the diet for 2 weeks. Reintroduce one food every 3 days. Watch for reactions such as gastrointestinal upset, mood changes, flushing, fatigue, and worsening of symptoms. Common allergenic foods are dairy, soy, citrus, peanuts, wheat, fish, eggs, corn, and tomatoes.

Magnesium (200 mg two to three times per day) with malic acid (1,200 mg one to two times per day) may relieve pain and fatigue.

S-adenosylmethionine or SAMe (800 mg per day) is often used as a therapy for depression, but the chemical may also have an effect on how the body uses energy. Some people report that taking SAMe helps decrease fatigue, stiffness, and pain, and improve mood. If you take a prescription anti-depressant, Ultram, St. John’s wort or 5-HTP, talk to your doctor before taking SAMe.

5-hydroxytryptophan or 5-HTP (100 mg three times per day) may help with depression and insomnia. People with fibromyalgia often have low levels of serotonin, a brain chemical that influences mood and pain perception, and 5-HTP may increase serotonin levels. If you take a prescription anti-depressant, Ultram, St. John’s wort, or SAMe, talk to your doctor before taking 5-HTP.

Chlorella ( Chlorella pyrenoidosa ), a blue-green algae, may help lessen symptoms. Participants in one study took 10 g of chlorella tablets and 100 ml of the liquid chlorella extract and showed significant improvement in symptoms. More studies are needed.

Essential fatty acids, such as those found in fish oil (1,000 mg 3 time per day with meals) and evening primrose oil (3,000 - 6,000 mg per day, may also help reduce fatigue.

NADH, a naturally occurring chemical involved in energy production in the body (5 - 20 mg per day), may help lessen fatigue.

Coenzyme Q10 may help the body use energy and lessen fatigue (60 - 100 mg per day).

DHEA, a hormone produced by the body that may improve energy levels (50 - 200 mg per day). Since this is a hormone rather than a supplement, it should never be taken without a doctor’s prescription. Do not use DHEA if you have or are at risk for breast cancer, prostate cancer, or any other hormonally-influenced illnesses.

Natural cortisol, a hormone produced in the body by the adrenal gland, has been used in some cases, in very low doses, for people whose lab tests show that their adrenal gland is not making enough cortisol. Because natural cortisol is a hormone, it can have serious side effects and should never be taken without a doctor’s supervision.

Melatonin (0.5 - 3 mg one time before bed) may help sleep. Talk to your doctor first if you are using any anti-depressants or other neurological or psychiatric medications.

Zinc (30 mg per day) is essential for proper immune function. Taking zinc may make it harder for your body to absorb magnesium, so talk to your doctor before taking a zinc supplement.

Quercetin (400 mg three times per day), a bioflavonoid found in many plants, may help reduce symptoms of pain and fatigue, but the evidence is anecdotal. Do not take quercetin if you take blood-thinning medication.

Thiamin or vitamin B1 (1 - 2 mg per day) helps the body use energy. People with fibromyalgia sometimes have low levels of thiamin.

For people who also experience restless legs syndrome, taking vitamin E (400 IU per day), folic acid (5,000 mcg per day), and magnesium may help. This is a high dose of folic acid and should only be taken under your doctor’s supervision.