Fibromyalgia refers to chronic, widespread muscle pain that has no identifiable cause. It is also marked by tenderness in the neck, upper chest, shoulders, lower back, elbows, outer thighs and knees, according to Dr. James Balch and Mark Stengler, authors of "Prescription for Natural Cures." Other symptoms include headaches, fatigue, irritability, inability to focus, clumsiness and digestive distress. Although vitamins cannot cure fibromyalgia, certain vitamin may help you manage symptoms.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C may enhance the function of your immune system, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. This may improve your immune system's ability to ward off bacterial and viral infections that can aggravate muscle pain, fatigue and loss of cognitive function associated with fibromyalgia. Vitamin C also offers antioxidant benefits and may help prevent damage to muscle and connective tissue cells caused by free radical molecules. Boost your vitamin C intake with foods such as alfalfa sprouts, tomatoes, Swiss chard, avocados, cantaloupe, strawberries, blackberries and citrus fruits.
Vitamin B-12
Vitamin B-12, also called cobalamin, is a B-complex vitamin necessary for proper brain and nervous system function. This vitamin helps your digestive system absorb and use carbohydrates, proteins and fats for rebuilding healthy brain, muscle, bone and connective tissue cells, according to authors Balch and Stengler. This may help improve cognitive function and reduce muscle pain. Vitamin B-12 also helps your body produce substances that coat and protect your nerve endings, which may ease pain, irritability and anxiety. Obtain vitamin B-12 from foods such as milk, eggs, cheese, yogurt, poultry, fish and beef.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is necessary for the absorption of calcium, which helps strengthen bones and may help calm your central nervous system. It may also help alleviate depression, a common symptom of fibromyalgia. A deficiency of vitamin D is linked to poor physical balance, which is typical among people with this disorder. Your body manufactures vitamin D when your skin is exposed to the sun's ultraviolet rays. Food sources such as fortified milk and cereals, salmon, eggs, tuna and herring also contain vitamin D.
References
- "Prescription for Natural Cures"; James F. Balch, M.D. and Mark Stengler, N.D.; 2004
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Fibromyalgia
