Fibromyalgia is an underdiagnosed condition that is reported to affect around 3 to 5 million Americans. According to Dr. Al Robert Franco in an article for the Road Back Foundation, an organization that provides information about and advocacy for antibiotic treatment for rheumatic diseases, fibromyalgia is poorly understood by the medical community and the public because it is such a complex condition. Certain treatments and dietary supplements, such as acidophilus, may help some of the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Consult your doctor before using any dietary supplement.
About Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a multi-symptom condition that causes widespread, chronic pain, manifesting as "tender points" above and below your waist and on the right and left sides of your body. According to the American College of Rheumatology, there are no diagnostic tests for fibromyalgia, which can make it particularly difficult to diagnose. Additional symptoms include fatigue headache, cognitive difficulties and gastrointestinal discomfort as well as irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS. Franco recommends acidophilus, a type of "friendly" bacteria, to "replenish and promote the natural microbial intestinal balance," stating that it can improve symptoms of IBS in patients suffering from fibromyalgia.
Acidophilus Facts
Acidophilus is referred to as a friendly bacteria because it is thought to stop the production of harmful bacteria, which can exacerbate symptoms of IBS. According to naturopathic doctor Jane Oelke in her book, "Natural Choices for Fibromyalgia: Discover Your Personal Method for Pain Relief," many patients with fibromyalgia suffer from malabsorption problems or imbalances of healthy intestinal bacteria due to overeating processed or sugary foods, using steroid medications or aspirin, or experiencing high levels of stress. Acidophilus, found naturally in foods containing live cultures such as yogurt, and in dietary supplements, can help to alleviate gastrointestinal problems due to its antibacterial and anti-fungal effect.
Clinical Evidence
A review published in the 1999 "Proceedings of the Internal ME/CFS Conference," a professional conference about myalgic encephalopathy, fibromyalgia and other chronic fatigue syndromes, states that supplementation with acidophilus is usually needed by patients with fibromyalgia and other chronic fatigue syndromes because of the depletion of normal gut flora when bacterial infections, such as mycoplasma infections, occur. Mycoplasma infections are typically treated with antibiotics. However, these antibiotics often result in lower levels of "healthy" bacteria, leading to gastrointestinal problems. A study published in 2008 in "Digestive Diseases and Sciences," a professional, peer-reviewed medical journal in the fields of gastroenterology and hepatology, confirmed the benefits of acidophilus administration in patients suffering from IBS, reporting that patients experienced significant benefits when compared to those who received a placebo only.
Considerations
While acidophilus supplementation can ease symptoms of IBS, you should not use dietary supplements to self-treat symptoms you may be experiencing. Consult your doctor if you think you have fibromyalgia. As with any dietary supplement, inform your doctor if you plan to use acidophilus.
References
- Road Back Foundation: Fibromyalgia
- American College of Rheumatology: Fibromyalgia
- "Natural Choices for Fibromyalgia: Discover Your Personal Method for Pain Relief"; Jane Oelke, ND; 2003
- "Proceedings of the Internal ME/CFS Conference"; The Role of Chronic Infections in the Maintenance and Progression of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia Syndrome, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Immune Deficiency Syndromes and Gulf War Illness; G. Nicolson, et al.; 1999
- "Digestive Diseases and Sciences"; Therapeutic Effect of Lactobacillus Acidophilus-SDC 2012, 2013 in Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome; D. Sinn, et al.; 2008
