Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia, more commonly called fibrositis, can be an extremely unpleasant condition. It can be diagnosed by examining for the following symptoms:

Widespread muscular pain

In true fibromyalgia, pain is suffered in all parts of the body; above and below the waist, in the left and right sides of the body, around the spine and in the neck area.

Tendon pain

Pain can be felt in the tendons and ligaments (tendons join muscles to bones) especially when pressed.

Fatigue and poor sleep patterns are often present.

It has been observed that a number of the symptoms of fibromyalgia also occur in the more serious cases of ME, and the two conditions may share some common causes.

Pain is the main symptom of fibromyalgia. Fatigue is the main symptom of M.E.

It is not known with complete certainty what causes either problem, probably because many different factors can interact in each case. In the case of fibromyalgia, the consensus of best-guess opinions about the causes seems to hold the following factors responsible:

Overly acidic conditions throughout the body

This bears some relationship to the known case where intense physical activity causes a buildup of lactic acid, which produces pain in the muscles. Lactic acid buffers are used to increase physical endurance.

The auto-immune response

This is a situation where the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues, after mistakenly identifying them as alien. This can be caused by over-stimulation of the immune system by prolonged exposure to allergens similar to the body’s own tissues. Red meats are similar to our own tissues. If incompletely digested, when they cross the intestinal wall they will be recognised by the immune system as the enemy, and antibodies will be produced. If this continues to happen, the antibodies will begin to attack the body’s own tissues, because of their similarity to the absorbed proteins.

The absorption of incompletely digested proteins will only take place where the intestinal wall has become thin (“leaky gut” syndrome).

Mineral deficiencies

Proper muscle function is dependent on the interaction within and outside the cells of four main minerals, magnesium, calcium, potassium and sodium. In particular, a shortage of magnesium can cause a tendency to cramp. If this is continuous, there may be a permanent case of muscle over-activity and lactic acid buildup.

Food intolerances

In sensitive individuals, certain foods, with cows’ milk at the top of the list, can cause pain in various parts of the body.

L-Glutamine deficiency

This amino acid, among its other functions, is a major constituent of muscle tissues. Deficiency of it can cause wasting.

Treatment

Diet

Diet must aim at achieving two conditions; one is reduction of acid conditions in the body, the other is the avoidance of foods which can cause food intolerance or allergy.

In order to achieve an acid/alkaline balance, it is necessary to increase the consumption of alkaline-forming foods, and reduce consumption of acid-forming foods.

Therefore:

In the case of fibromyalgia and auto-immune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus etc, the most important foods to be avoided are probably the red meats, because of their similarity to our own tissues.

Next to red meats, the most important food to avoid is milk and all its derivatives. Other foods to avoid are sugar, citrus fruits, caffeine and artificial additives; these all place a strain on the immune system and deplete the body of nutrients.

Digestion

The digestive system is designed to break down food into its components. In the case of proteins, it is important that they are broken down into the individual amino acids, to avoid activating the immune system.

Digestive acid, as betaine HCL, can be useful, & digestive enzymes can help further.

Nutritional Supplements

L-Glutamine

It is possible that this nutrient is the most important for this problem. The cells lining the intestines are the most dynamic in the body, being totally replaced every six days, so as the main fuel for these cells, enormous amounts are required, and any shortfall results in a leaky gut. It is also the main fuel for the immune system, and is important for the muscles. Up to 15 grams/day is desirable.

Minerals (particularly magnesium)

Calcium and magnesium are involved in muscle contraction and relaxation. Magnesium is involved in muscle relaxation, and therefore if it is deficient, the muscles may be chronically contracted, which leads to a buildup of lactic acid. This is the agent that causes pain when muscles are over-exercised.

Malic Acid

This nutrient is derived from apples, and is naturally present in large amounts in cider vinegar. It has a number of functions; it complexes with minerals and aids their transport through the intestinal wall, and in combination with magnesium it can increase ATP, the substance responsible for energy production in the cells. Under-production of ATP can cause fatigue and muscle pain.

Creatine

This is purely a thought of our own, because no research has been done on creatine for this problem. As creatine prevents ATP wastage, could it help with the muscle pain?

Essential Fatty Acids

particularly omega-3 oils, mainly from oily fish or linseed oil, and GLA (gamma linolenic acid) from evening primrose or borage oils, produce anti-inflammatory prostaglandins.

Herbal

There are two main approaches to helping human ills; one is to reduce the symptoms, and the other is to attempt to cure them.

Boswellia

This herb has powerful anti-inflammatory effects, without any known side effects. It also helps to restore circulation.

Ashwaganda

also has powerful anti-inflammatory effects, but can also help cure the problem at a very fundamental level; it modulates the immune system i.e. stimulates an under-active system and cools down an over-active one, which reduces the auto-immune response.

It also has very powerful adaptogenic properties, i.e. helps the body to adapt to stress, therefore helping feelings of well-being.