Fight Fibromyalgia

The diagnosis of FM is based on a person’s symptoms and physical exam findings. There are no conventional blood tests or X-rays used, just the 1990 American College of Rheumatology’s (ACR) established guidelines, which are still used today.

Included in the diagnosis of FM:

• a history of widespread pain for at least three months on the left and right sides of the body, above and below the waist
• pain reported in 11 out of 18 tender sites on the body upon digital palpation

The ACR criterion focuses only on pain symptoms and disregards other important FM concerns, including fatigue, sleep disorders, stiffness, myalgias (muscle pains), headaches (often migraines), dizziness, paresthesia (tingling on the skin), gastrointestinal disturbances, memory and concentration problems, loss of libido, and various states of anxiety and depression.

Current data suggests central sensitization, in which neurons in the spinal cord become hypersensitive due to inflammation and cell damage, may be involved in the way FM patients process pain. As a result, certain chemicals in the foods eaten may trigger further inflammation or a release of neurotransmitters that may exacerbate this sensitivity.

As daunting as FM may be, a good nutritional plan is the first step to getting better. There is some evidence to suggest that FM symptoms can be reduced if people eliminate foods that they are sensitive to.

Food sensitivities are divided into two categories: an immediate immunoglobulin E (IgE) food reaction (allergy such as peanuts + swollen throat = hospital!) and a delayed IgE food reaction. The delayed IgE food response can occur subtly anywhere from four minutes to four days after eating. Over time and with repeated exposure, the immune system becomes sensitized (as in the central sensitization theory for FM) only to exacerbate FM symptoms.

In one study researchers reviewed 17 FM patients who eliminated offending foods from their diet. After just two weeks of avoiding certain foods “almost half the patients reported a significant reduction in pain.” The most accurate way to test for common food sensitivities is with a simple in-office blood draw offered by most naturopathic doctors.

Past and present research supports underlying nutrient deficiencies as probable causes of FM. Such deficiencies include low levels of amino acids, magnesium, coenzyme Q10, acetyl-L-carnitine, and D-ribose. Many of these nutritional deficiencies create an energy crisis in the body that contributes to the overwhelming symptoms of pain and fatigue.

Adenosine tryphosphate (ATP)

The energy for mitochondria, the power producers of every cell in our body, is provided by the nucleotide, adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Research found that ATP levels were 80 percent lower in FM patients than in healthy individuals. Fortunately, ATP levels can be dramatically increased through a healthy diet and nutritional supplementation.

Amino acids

Amino acids are the building blocks of protein and neurotransmitters in the brain. When researchers tested 20 amino acids in FM patients compared to healthy volunteers, FM patients were low in overall amino acid levels. These deficiencies can greatly affect the sympathetic (adrenaline) nervous system, which tends to be both hyperactive (can’t fall asleep) and exhausted (tired all day) in FM patients.

Coenzyme Q₁₀

Muscular changes, mitochondrial (energy) dysfunction, and oxidative stress are all present in symptoms of FM patients. Coenzyme Q₁₀ is a strong antioxidant and is critical for energy production in the heart and skeletal muscles. A study of 37 FM patients found CoQ₁₀ levels to be 40 percent lower, with higher levels of oxidative stress than healthy subjects.

D-ribose

Ribose is known as the sugar of life. D-ribose is present in all living cells and is responsible for energy production. Researchers investigated the benefits of D-ribose in 41 patients with FM and chronic fatigue syndrome. After taking D-ribose for three weeks, 66 percent of patients reported significant improvement in energy, sleep, well-being, mental clarity, and pain intensity.

Researchers are starting to examine the multiple causes underlying FM. Jacob Teitelbaum, MD, is studying hypothalamic dysfunction wherein the control centre in the brain that monitors sleep, hormone regulation, and the immune system does not work properly.

There are also more sensitive tests (saliva or urine) that actually measure the unbound (or biologically active) hormones in the body that contribute to FM symptoms. These tests more reliably demonstrate imbalances in the reproductive hormones, thyroid hormones, and adrenal hormones, and can be conducted by a naturopathic doctor.

If you or someone you know has fibromyalgia, schedule time to see an ND. Have a wellness program designed for you that will get you back on track and back to living the life you deserve.

• Eat a variety of whole and fresh foods. Include local, organic fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet. These are high in antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory effects on the body.
• Avoid additives, preservatives, and artificial sweeteners. These include aspartame and MSG, often listed as monosodium glutamate. Aspartame is an excitotoxin that can increase sensitivity to pain. MSG is also an excitatory neurotransmitter that can further stimulate pain receptors.
• Eliminate sugar and caffeine from your diet. Sugar will spike insulin levels and worsen pain. Caffeine will interfere with sleep and worsen low adrenal function that is prevalent in many individuals with FM.
• Drink pure filtered water daily. Use a filter that removes chlorine, bacteria, and heavy metals. Avoid drinking out of plastic containers, as these leach xenoestrogens that interfere with hormone signalling in the body.
• Eat wild freshwater fish three times a week. Fish contain omega-3 fatty acids that are high in EPA and DHA to help decrease inflammation, pain, and stiffness associated with FM.
• Avoid trans fats and processed and fried foods. These promote inflammation, aggravate pain, and cause oxidative damage in the body.
• Avoid foods you are sensitive to. Common allergens that may aggravate FM symptoms, and should be avoided, include dairy, soy, gluten, corn, yeast, and sugar.

If you suffer from fibromyalgia, follow these tips to improve your health.

1. Get proper sleep Adopt good sleep hygiene that includes a quiet, dark room (wear an eye mask if necessary). Avoid eye stimulation for two hours before bed. The television and computer trick your brain into thinking it is still daytime, making it difficult to fall asleep.
2. Exercise regularly Start slow and steady—that’s the key in FM. Harvard researchers studied women who completed a 20-week exercise program. They showed that progressive strength training and cardiovascular exercise improved muscle strength and endurance with a decrease in pain, stiffness, fatigue, and depression. Start walking, incorporate easy swimming, and try lightweight resistance training.
3. Personalize your nutritional intake Identify foods that are creating pain and inflammation in your body by taking an IgG food allergy blood test that tests for reactions to 96 foods.
4. Try an IV micronutrient drip Replace lost nutrients and energy stores quickly through an intravenous micronutrient drip. By bypassing the digestive system (in cases of poor intestinal function, inflammation, etc.), the nutrients are delivered directly into the blood and to all the organs.Researchers administered IV nutrients once a week for eight weeks to a small group of patients with FM. Subjects reported increased energy within 24 to 48 hours of the initial infusion, and by the end of the study, subjects reported a 60 percent reduction in pain and an 80 percent decrease in fatigue.
5. Meditate Perform 15 minutes of daily meditation practice to help calm the mind and the body. A study at an Ayurvedic health centre in Norway taught transcendental meditation to women with FM. After six months the subjects experienced a 25 to 46 percent improvement in working ability, fatigue, stiffness, pain, and anxiety.
6. Go for acupuncture Try acupuncture for pain relief. A study of FM patients demonstrated acupuncture’s analgesic effect after weekly treatments reduced their pain and improved their quality of life and FM symptoms.
7. Seek nutraceutical support Use nutritional supplements to correct the energy crisis caused by low levels of nutrients. Some important supplements to consider are magnesium, coenzyme Q₁₀, acetyl-L-carnitine, D-ribose, omega-3 fatty acid, and B-complex vitamins. Consult your health care practitioner to make sure vitamins won’t interact with medication you’re on.