Fibromyalgia is a relatively common syndrome characterized by a complex set of symptoms, including widespread bodily aches and pains and fatigue. Doctors usually recommend medication, physical therapy and stress relief methods to treat symptoms of fibromyalgia. Nutritional supplementation with lecithin or magnesium may also help. Consult your doctor before using any dietary supplements.
About Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a disorder that most commonly affects women between the ages of 20 and 50, according to PubMed Health. People with fibromyalgia typically experience a variety of concurrent symptoms, such as pain located on specific parts of your body known as "tender points," fatigue, depression, gastrointestinal problems such as irritable bowel syndrome, and sleep disorders. As of 2011, the causes of fibromyalgia aren't known, though it is thought to be triggered in part by stress, an immune system malfunction, abnormalities in pain processing or trauma. Additionally, certain nutritional deficiencies, especially in magnesium, are believed to be linked to symptoms of fibromyalgia.
Importance of Magnesium
Magnesium is a critical mineral for maintaining good health. Along with malate, magnesium plays an important role in the ATP cycle, in which your cells produce energy. People with fibromyalgia are thought to have a magnesium or malate deficiency, resulting in decreased ATP production and leading to symptoms of fatigue, according to chiropractor Dan Murphy in a March 29, 2008 article for "The American Chiropractor." In fact, a study published in 1992 in the "Journal of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine" found that magnesium and malate supplementation helped to improve tender point scores and pain in patients with fibromyalgia. The authors postulate that fibromyalgia symptoms are caused by deficits in certain nutrients, such as magnesium, that are required for ATP synthesis.
Potential Benefits of Lecithin
Lecithin is a nutrient present in egg yolks and soybeans. It contains phosphatidylcholine, a substance that your body uses to make cell membranes and acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that stimulates your muscles and is involved in memory and learning. In her book, "Prescription for Natural Healing," nutritionist Phyllis A. Balch states that lecithin is an important nutritional supplement for patients with fibromyalgia, as it helps to promote energy and enhances immune system functioning. A study published in the 2010-2012 "Chinese Agricultural Science Bulletin" reports that lecithin supplementation had an anti-fatigue effect on laboratory mice subjected to a forced swim test. No clinical studies, however, have examined the effects of lecithin supplementation on patients with fibromyalgia.
Considerations
While nutritional supplementation with magnesium or lecithin may help some of the symptoms of fibromyalgia, do not rely on dietary supplements to self-treat your symptoms. If you think you have fibromyalgia, consult your doctor to discuss treatment options. As with any dietary supplement, inform your doctor if you choose to use lecithin or magnesium supplements.
References
- PubMed Health: Fibromyalgia
- "The American Chiropractor"; Treating Fibromyalgia Naturally; Dan Murphy; March 29, 2008
- "Journal of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine"; Management of Fibromyalgia: Rationale for the Use of Magnesium and Malic Acid; G. Abraham and J. Flechas; 1992
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch, CNC; 2006
- Chinese Agricultural Science Bulletin; Anti-Fatigue Effect of Soybean Lecithin ; X. Qin et al.; 2010-2012
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