Dr. HingHau Tsang's Crusade on Nutrition
Dr. HingHau Tsang's Crusade on Nutrition
Newsletter #69
--- Natural Approach to Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Fibromyalgia is a complex syndrome with no known cause or cure.
About 3 - 6 million Americans are living with this musculoskeletal disorder -- two thirds of them women, most of them white and most between 20 and 50 years old when first affected. People who have it suffer from pain day in and day out, all over their bodies-- plus fatigue, insomnia, anxiety and depression. And yet there is no firm physical evidence of disease that can be detected by blood tests or X rays.
Predominant symptom of fibromyalgia is pain in the fibrous tissues, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Inflammation of the involved structures is generally absent in fibromyalgia. Trigger-points (tender points) are commonly located at occiput (nape of the neck), the neck itself, shoulders, trunk, low back, and thighs. Other symptoms including fatigue, chest pain, low-grade fever, swollen lymph nodes, insomnia, frequent abdominal pain, irritable bowel syndrome, and depression
Theories abound as to the cause of this disease, with many pointing to unusual stress. Research has demonstrated that the axis connecting the three glands primarily responsible for the stress response (hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenals) may be dysfunctional in people with fibromyalgia.1
One study found higher levels of substance P, a neuropeptide involved in pain signals. Another recent article said that people with past neck injuries had a higher incidence of the condition, suggesting that there's a neuromuscular basis for it. Many patients with Fibromylagia are deficient in Magnesium. People with fibromyalgia often have low blood levels of neurotransmitter serotonin. Researchers found that patients with fibromyalgia had much lower levels of DHEA than healthy people of the same age. People with fibromyalgia tends to have lower level of B and E vitamins.
Natural approach to fibromyalgia
Eat a Healthy Diet
A vegan diet low in salt may help women with fibromyalgia. In a three-month controlled clinical trial 5, women following this diet experienced a significant reduction in body weight, pain, morning sickness, use of painkillers, depression, and the number of sore fibromyalgia points, compared with those who continued to eat their regular diet. A diet centered around plant foods, with moderate amounts of lean protein, and as few processed foods as possible. Exclude polyunsaturated vegetable oils and sources of trans-fatty acids such as margarine and hydrogenated oils from your diet. Get more Omega 3 Fatty Acid by including fish (2 to 3 servings a week) or take Omega 3 Fatty Acid 1-2 gm/day. Diet high in saturated fats and refined vegetable oils is likely to exacerbate joint pain and inflammation, while omega-3 fatty acids found in fish and flaxseed oil will help alleviate these symptoms. Refined carbohydrates worsen fatigue condition while slow-burning carbohydrates (beans, whole grains and vegetables) will give your body a sustained source of energy.
Daily Exercise
People with fibromyalgia who exercise regularly have been reported to suffer less severe symptoms than those who remain sedentary.6 7 8 A steady program of moderate aerobic exercise (swimming, walking, bicycling or treadmill) at least 30 minutes a day. Start with 5 minutes of exercise using the joints that are least painful, and slowly progressing to 30 minutes a day of exercise. Exercise improves sleep, enhances mood, alleviates anxiety, and increases energy. Combine exercise with meditation will help reduce stress to greatest extent.
Short term therapy if necessary
Acupuncture, chiropractic and joint manipulation may be helpful for relieving some of the symptoms of fibromyalgia.
H
elpful SupplementsMany patients with Fibromylagia have low Magnesium levels. They seem to have an impairment in the way muscle cells handle calcium. Calcium tends to leak out of its normal channels into the cytoplasm of the cells, which in turn stimulates painful contractions and spasms of the muscles. Magnesium works by counterbalancing calcium in the cells. Scientific evidence suggests that symptoms of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome are due at least in part to abnormal cellular metabolism. Mitochondria are the energy furnaces in cells that burn food for energy. Many studies suggest that these structures are not operating efficiently in those with chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia. In order for the mitochondria to produce ATP, several nutrients are required. These include magnesium, malic acid, sufficient levels of oxygen and active forms of Vitamin B. Deficiencies in these ingredients, which studies have show to exist in chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia, can cause the body to switch from oxygen-based metabolism to the less efficient anaerobic metabolism. This contributes to an abnormal buildup of lactic acid following even light exertion. This lactic acid buildup results in fatigue, weakness, pain and muscle spasms. Both malic acid and magnesium are necessary for the synthesis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the body's energy storage molecule.
Both malic acid and magnesium have been shown to benefit individuals suffering from chronic muscle aches and pains, stiffness and fatigue associated with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). A 1995 study at the University of Texas Health Science Center found that Super Malic, a proprietary tablet containing 200 milligrams of malic acid and 50 milligrams of magnesium, helped relieve the pain associated with fibromyalgia 25. Researchers noted that while low doses of malic acid didn't have any clear effect, participants got measurable relief when the dose was raised and the treatment period extended. They recommended that future studies use up to six tablets of Super Malic twice a day continuously for at least two months - that is 600 milligrams of Magnesium and 2,400 milligrams of malic acid per day. While some will experience a rapid response, others may take longer to respond. It is recommended that the supplements be taken for 4-6 weeks to see if they will be of benefit.
People with fibromyalgia often have low blood levels of neurotransmitter serotonin, which plays a crucial role in regulating mood. 11 12 13 Low levels of serotonin can cause the sensation of pain to be greatly heightened. Supplementation with 5-HTP may increase serotonin synthesis. Both preliminary 14 15 and double-blind trials16 have reported that 5-HTP supplementation (100 mg three times per day) relieves some symptoms of fibromyalgia and alleviate depression often accompanying patients with fibromyalgia.
Catalytic Formula with Rutin is a systemic oral enzyme used extensively in Europe and Germany to reduce inflammation
Inflammation is also frequently a component of pain. Inflammation is associated with chronic health conditions and is the cause of pain in fibromyalgia. Systemic enzymes help to dissolve circulating immune complexes and antibodies that cause severe inflammation. European enzyme researcher Rudolf Kunze has demonstrated that there were marked C-reactive protein reductions by administration of oral systemic enzyme. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a marker of inflammation. Pain is reduced as inflammation is reduced.
MSM 3000mg/day helps decrease inflammation.
People with fibromyalgia tends to have lower level of B and E vitamins. Vitamin E supplements have also been shown to help ease much of the pain of Fibromylagia. Or take potent Multiple Vitamin / Mineral daily.
DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone)
In a 1999 study in the journal Pain, researchers found that patients with fibromyalgia had much lower levels of DHEA than healthy people of the same age, and the lower the DHEA level, the higher the patient's rating of pain on a fibromyalgia questionnaire. Determine your level of DHEA by a blood or saliva test. If your level is low, you can increase it with supplemental DHEA 10mg/day.
Melatonin for insomnia. Avoid prescription sleeping pills or benzodiazepines, as these drugs often interfere with deep sleep and can be highly addictive.
For Chronic fatigue syndrome associated with Fibromyalgia
References:
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Dr. Tsang wishes to share his knowledge & Opinion with the public regarding the importance of " Nutritional Supplements ". This is for your information only. Drugs have powerful effects on the body, so please don't abruptly stop taking any prescription medication. Always consult your physician or health care provider before you use any nutritional supplement or switch from drugs to natural health products.