Fibromyalgia is a chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by multiple tender points and chronic achy muscular pain, and it has no obvious physical cause. It is often accompanied by additional symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome, stiffness in the morning and mental disturbances such as an inability to concentrate, depression and anxiety. Certain supplements may be beneficial to fibromyalgia. Some supplements are toxic in high doses however, so talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement.
5-HTP
The exact cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, but some researchers believe that it can be caused by a deficiency of serotonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, which is a chemical found in the brain, and a deficiency of it is thought to result in a heightened pain perception to normal sensory input. 5-HTP is a supplement that helps to boost serotonin levels in the brain and it may therefore help to reduce pain. In addition to reducing overall pain levels, Progressive Health website says that preliminary research suggests that it can also reduce the number of tender points in people with fibromyalgia. More research needs to be done to confirm the efficacy of 5-HTP for the treatment of fibromyalgia pain and tenderness. Nevertheless, Phyllis Balch recommends in her book "Prescription for Nutritional Healing" taking 50 mg of 5-HTP daily for one week and then taking 100 mg daily for pain reduction purposes.
Kava Kava
If you suffer from mood disorders as a result of your fibromyalgia, then supplementing with the herb kava kava may be helpful to you. Balch says that it can decrease anxiety and elevate your mood. Progressive Health says that the herb can produce a calming and relaxing effect, while simultaneously increasing concentration and other mental capabilities. Kava kava may also help to reduce tension in the arms, legs and neck. Take kava kava as directed on the bottle.
B Vitamins
Supplementing with the B vitamins may be beneficial to you if your fibromyalgia symptoms include fatigue, mental sluggishness, or depression. Balch says that the B vitamins are essential for normal brain function and for the production of energy. The Canadian School of Natural Nutrition, or CSNN, says that they also help to elevate mood, and may relieve mild depressive symptoms. For therapeutic purposes, CSNN says to take a B100 complex, which is a supplement that contains 100 mg of the most important B vitamins, daily with food.
SAMe
If you are looking for a supplement that will address multiple fibromyalgia symptoms, then a SAMe supplement may be beneficial to you. SAMe is a naturally occurring compound found in almost every tissue in the body and it is involved in numerous important bodily processes. The University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC, says that SAMe may help to reduce fibromyalgia related pain, fatigue, morning stiffness and depressed mood. Balch says it also aids in stress relief and it is a powerful antioxidant that can reduce free radical induced damage to your muscle cells and joints. UMMC warns however, that most studies done on SAMe used an injectable form, and tests on supplementing with SAMe by mouth have shown conflicting results.
References
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis Balch; 2003
- "Pathology and Nutrition"; The Canadian School of Natural Nutrition; Lilieana Stradler Mitrea; 2008
- Progressive Health: Herbs and Supplements for Fibromyalgia
- The University of Maryland Medical Center: S-adenosylmethionine
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