Fibromyalgia is a condition which causes extreme tiredness and pain (especially in the muscles and tissues surrounding the joints). It is also associated with depression. People with fibromyalgia may also have trouble sleeping, muscle stiffness, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and other problems.
Possible Causes
It is believed that the exact cause of fibromyalgia is still unknown, but the following factors are believed to be involved in contributing to this condition:
There are certain changes and factors which are associated with fibromyalgia, including especially magnesium and vitamin D deficiency, high levels of toxins, fluoride, candida overgrowth, hormonal imbalance (especially low levels of serotonin) and disturbed pain messages.
The fact according to which 9 in 10 fibromyalgia patients are female inspires to believe that anxiety, depression and hormonal imbalance must be one of the factors contributing to this condition. Fibromyalgia can be triggered by stressful events and inability to control stress. “Acute episodes of CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome) and fibromyalgia can be brought on by exposure to stress, whether emotional or physical.
The consequent increase in adrenaline and stress chemicals hastens magnesium loss and can be a factor in both conditions. Low levels of magnesium intensify the secretion of the stress chemicals, thus increasing the risk of adverse effects of stress and creating another vicious cycle. The overproduction of adrenaline due to stress leads to magnesium deficiency and therefore puts a strain on the magnesium-dependent energy system of the body, causing energy depletion that leads to fatigue.
Fatigue is often reduced with magnesium supplementation. In fact, a breakthrough occurred in CFS research when low magnesium levels were discovered in most sufferers. Of the many enzyme systems that require magnesium, the most important ones are responsible for energy production and storage”. Also, depression and anxiety contribute to the development of this condition.
Researchers have found fibromyalgia sufferers have low levels of serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline in their brains. Low levels of these hormones and neurotransmitters could be regarded as the main physiological cause of fibromyalgia because apart from regulating mood, sleep and response to stress these hormones are also involved in processing pain messages.
Since serotonin deficiency is one of the causes of fibromyalgia it is important to know what leads to the low levels of this important neurotransmitter and antidepressant hormone. In the book Natural Way to Overcome Depression, Obesity, and Insomnia, Dr Michael Murray says that serotonin deficiency should also be blamed for causing fatigue: “Bad diet, lack of exercise, use of harmful substances such as caffeine or alcohol can rob your brain of the ability to make enough serotonin. This produces a range of significant complications: depression, obesity, insomnia, migraine headache, chronic fatigue.” Also, deficiency of amino acid tryptophan (out of which serotonin is made), magnesium, vitamin B6 and some other vitamins and minerals lead to serotonin deficiency.
According to Dr Carolyn Dean, one of the key causes of fibromyalgia is a huge Magnesium deficiency: "Magnesium deficiency is known to exacerbate all the symptoms of CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome) and fibromyalgia, and increased magnesium intake has been effective in helping to restore health to many sufferers... In fact, a breakthrough occurred in CFS research when low magnesium levels were discovered in most sufferers. Of the many enzyme systems that require magnesium, the most important ones are responsible for energy production and storage. As noted above, the root causes of fibromyalgia and CFS are magnesium deficiency and yeast overgrowth".
Vitamin D deficiency. A growing body of research suggests that low vitamin D levels may be linked to multiple symptoms of fibromyalgia as well as CFS and that raising levels may ease these symptoms.
The same physician suggests that "Fibromyalgia is the latest label for an accumulation of toxins and infections from both environment and lifestyle. Twenty-six doctors who present their cases in a book on chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia agree. Our exposure to toxins, chemicals, and prescription drugs begins at birth. Substances we think are safe can break down our immune systems and deplete our nutrient reserves. I and many other doctors believe they lead to CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome), fibromyalgia, and environmental illness in a growing list of sufferers".
Lack of good probiotic bacteria in the gut leading to the Leaky gut syndrome – a condition linked to autoimmune diseases is also associated with fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia (like endometriosis) is believed to be potential side effect of yeast (Candida albicans) overgrowth, which can be caused by lack of probiotic bacteria, a diet low in raw vegetables and high in refined sugar and other refined carbohydrates, regular use of birth control pills (BCPs) and antibiotics. Yeast overgrowth in the intestines can diminish the production of serotonin in the gut and low serotonin is strongly associated with fibromyalgia.
Some research maintains that fibromyalgia is directly related to high levels of toxins (especially mercury, lead and fluoride) which can lead to negative chemical changes.
Artificial sweeteners such as aspartame may contribute to fibromyalgia (1).
Beneficial Supplements
In order to address the above possible causes, try the following nutritional supplements for at least 3 months:
- Magnesium citrate powder – 200mg twice to three times daily
- Vitamin D3 – 5000 IU every day after breakfast (requires supplemental magnesium for its conversion into active form in kidneys)
- Good probiotic formula (UltraProbio, DailyProbio or MoodProbio)
- Ashwagandha – twice daily to help improve ability to control stress
- 5-HTP (active form of Tryptophan) to help boost serotonin
- Super Greens (HealthAid) powder – One tablespoon twice daily 30 minutes before meals to detox the body and increase energy
- Sublingual Methylcobalamin (best form of vitamin B12) 2000 mcg only after breakfast
- Good Multivitamin-mineral formula: Healthy Mega (HealthAid) interchangeably with Day-vit active (HealthAid) - 1 tablet daily after breakfast
- Supplemental D-ribose has been reported to be helpful in coping with fatigue and muscle pain.
- Key beneficial antioxidants: Acetyl l-carnitine and Alpha lipoic acid
Related Articles:
- Feel Tired - Effective Ways to Cope with Tiredness
- How to Improve Mood and Emotional Health
- Depression & Anxiety
- Women’s Key Health Concerns & How to Address Them
References
Any information or product suggested on this website is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition. Never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. Consult your primary healthcare physician before using any supplements or making any changes to your regime.
