Fibromyalgia is a relatively common disorder that occurs far more frequently in women than in men. In fact, around 80 to 90 percent of patients with fibromyalgia are women, according to WomensHealth.gov. While there's no known cure for fibromyalgia, certain treatments, such as certain medications or massage therapy, can provide symptom relief. Dietary supplementation with cod liver oil and/or chlorella may also help. Consult your doctor before using any dietary supplements.
About Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a difficult condition to diagnose and to live with. Doctors often have trouble diagnosing fibromyalgia because of its wide array of symptoms that often mimic those of other conditions, such as chronic fatigue syndrome. In fact, the defining symptoms of fibromyalgia are widespread pain, chronic fatigue and low energy levels. Additional symptoms include depression, sleep difficulties, anxiety, headaches, gastrointestinal disorders and painful menstrual periods. Doctors aren't entirely sure what causes fibromyalgia. However, certain nutritional deficiencies, such as low levels of vitamin D, have been linked to fibromyalgia. Other possible causes include certain infections, genetics or exposure to stress or trauma.
Benefits of Chlorella
Chlorella is a unicellular blue-green algae that is used as a dietary supplement to alleviate the symptoms of certain physical and mental conditions. It is also promoted as a "superfood" due to its high nutritional content of B vitamins, vitamin C, iron and caretonoids -- nutrients that act as antioxidants and help to fight free radical damage to your cells. Chlorella is available in powder, capsule and tablet form. Some limited research supports chlorella's benefits for fibromyalgia. A study published in 2000 in the journal "Phytotherapy Research" showed that patients who took a chlorella supplement experienced a decrease in tender points, which are specific trigger points on your muscles that cause intense pain, and a decrease in pain intensity.
Benefits of Cod Liver Oil
Cod liver oil is a nutritional supplement that contains high levels of vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids. A review published in the July 19, 2007 issue of the "New England Journal of Medicine" reports a link between vitamin D deficiency and fibromyalgia. Another review, published in the September 2009 issue of "The American Journal of Medicine," reports that improving low levels of vitamin D through supplementation may help to decrease certain conditions that cause pain. Using cod liver oil can provide a double benefit because of its content of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids help fight inflammation and may help to relieve chronic pain. A review published in 2006 in the journal "Rheumatology International" reports that since oxidative stress appears to play a role in fibromyalgia, further research is needed on the potential benefits of antioxidants like omega-3 fatty acids.
Considerations
While chlorella and cod liver oil may help symptoms of fibromyalgia, you should not rely on dietary supplements to self-treat your symptoms. Do not attempt to self-diagnose your condition. If you think you have fibromyalgia, consult your doctor. Cod liver oil can cause interactions with certain medications, including cholestyramine, colestipol or orlistat. Long-term safety studies have not yet been conducted on chlorella. Talk to your doctor about how these supplements might interact with any medications you are taking.
References
- WomensHealth.gov: Fibromyalgia Fact Sheet
- Phytotherapy Research; Nutritional Supplementation with Chlorella pyrenoidosa for Patients With Fibromyalgia. Syndrome: A Pilot Study; Randall E. Merchant et al.
- New England Journal of Medicine; Vitamin D Deficiency; Michael F. Holick, MD, Ph.D
- The American Journal of Medicine; Vitamin D: Bone and Beyond, Rationale and Recommendations for Supplementation; Sarah A. Stechschulte et al.
- Rheumatology International; Current Concepts in the Pathophysiology of Fibromyalgia: The Potential Role of Oxidative Stress and Nitric Oxide; Salih Ozgocmen et al.
- University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview: Cod Liver Oil
- American Cancer Society: Chlorella
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