Fibromyalgia, a syndrome of the central nervous system, affects the brain structures responsible for pain sensations leading to a hypersensitivity to pain. Patients with fibromyalgia experience muscle fatigue and weakness that causes widespread pain, tenderness, sleep disturbances and psychological stress. Because doctors still do not understand what causes fibromyalgia, there is no cure or specific treatment. Many patients seek out alternative therapies which include the use of specialized diets, dietary supplements, herbs and vitamins.
Role of Vitamins
Your body needs a variety of organic substances, known as vitamins, to support the biological activity necessary to life. Eating a healthy well-balanced diet according to the recommendations provided by the Food Pyramid helps you to meet the daily recommended intake of each vitamin. Although taking specific vitamin supplements cannot cure fibromyalgia, vitamins that promote a healthy immune system, act as antioxidants or support strong bones may help to reduce symptoms. Before taking any vitamin supplement, consult your health care provider as some vitamins may interact with certain medications.
Antioxidant Vitamins
The term antioxidant describes any substance that protects the cell from the harmful effects of free radicals -- the negatively charged particles produced as by-products of normal chemical reactions in the body. Damaged cells can contribute to many different chronic diseases including heart disease and cancer and may enhance the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Vitamins that function as antioxidants include vitamin C, A, E, D and the group of B vitamins. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends patients with fibromyalgia take a multivitamin supplement that contains these vitamins along with essential minerals like magnesium, zinc and selenium.
Vitamin D with Calcium
Because fibromyalgia causes muscle pain and stiffness, it is important to ensure you get enough vitamin D and calcium to keep your bones strong. Strong bones provide support for your muscles and can lessen the severity of the symptoms. Although your body needs calcium, an essential mineral, to build new bone, vitamin D facilitates the uptake of calcium. Without the recommended daily intake of vitamin D, set at 15 micrograms per day for adults up to age 70 and 20 micrograms per day for those older than 70, your body cannot absorb calcium.
Myer's Cocktail
A study published in the March 2009 issue of the "Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine" established that a micronutrient therapy known as the Myer's cocktail provided relief in the symptoms of fibromyalgia. The Myer's cocktail contains magnesium chloride, calcium gluconate, vitamin B-12, vitamin B-6, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and vitamin C. The small sample size of this study inhibited it from providing any statistically significant data, but it did prove that the Myer's cocktail is safe for patients with fibromyalgia. Patients reported an improvement in symptoms, which shows promise for its use as an alternative treatment pending further studies.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Fibromyalgia; Stephen Ehrlich; February 2010
- "Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine"; Intravenous Micronutrient Therapy (Myer's Cocktail) for Fibromyalgia -- A Placebo Controlled Pilot Study; Ali et. al; March 2009
- National Fibromyalgia Association: About Fibromyalgia
- "The Open Rheumatology Journal"; Potential Benefits of Non-Pharmacological Therapies in Fibromyalgia; Blanco et. al.; January 2008
- Institute of Medicine: Recommended Daily Intake Summary; 2011
