The Benefits of Supplements For Fibromyalgia
As our Fibro Doctors regularly tell their patients: “Fibromyalgia, is a widespread chronic pain disorder which imposes a multitude of hardships on patients and their communities. Supplements, specifically magnesium supplements, have been widely used by fibromyalgia patients in an attempt to control their symptoms” [1]
Here at the London Pain Clinic, our world-class Pain Consultants are renowned for treating fibromyalgia (and other difficult pain conditions), with a broad spectrum of modalities. To that end, after your initial in-person or online consultation (which involves reviewing your medical history, and asking you various pertinent questions, including a detailed account of your symptoms), your Pain Doctor will draw up a Holistic Personalised Treatment Plan. This is likely to cover a combination of conventional treatment and the latest cutting-edge therapies and injectables, as well as advice on lifestyle, nutrition, and supplements (subject to any contraindications).
A Potential Link Between Fibromyalgia & Supplements
Not so many years ago, after a number of research studies, it was suggested that: “an imbalance of nutritive components, including essential metal ions and vitamins, might play a critical role in the development of fibromyalgia. Muscle pain has been associated with deficiencies in amino acids, magnesium, selenium, vitamins B and D, as well as with the harmful effects of heavy metals, such as mercury, cadmium, and lead” [2].
Note: ions refer to atoms or molecules which generate a positive or negative electrical charge. Examples include:
- Sodium
- Potassium
- Calcium
- Chloride and
- Phosphate
These ions serve to:
- Help transport nutrients into our cells
- Help expel waste from our cells, and
- Empower our brain, heart, muscles, and nerves, to function on an optimum level [2]
Understanding Aspects of FM
FM (fibromyalgia) is classed as rheumatic disease (which at the present time), does not have an effective, reliable, medical solution. However, the following aspects may be helpful to some patients.
- The nutritional treatment of fibromyalgia has been recognised by researchers and Pain Doctors in recent years
- Fibromyalgia symptoms seem to decrease in sufferers who consume high antioxidant food
- A number of vitamins and minerals have been demonstrated to be beneficial in FM therapy
- It is important that FM patients have an adequate uptake of: vitamin B2, vitamin D, selenium, and magnesium [2]. You Pain Consultant will explain this to you in more detail (in layman’s terms)
Did You Know?
Research on animals shows that magnesium levels are “critical in inducing muscle pains, leg weakness, and related symptoms, with a protective effect of elevated magnesium intake” [2]. Moreover, a deficiency in selenium is a potential cause of fibromyalgia linked musculoskeletal pain. Furthermore, “it has been suggested that an elevated total burden of toxic metals, such as cadmium and mercury, may induce worsening of diverse muscle pains with different etiologies in humans [2]. Note: etieology describes the cause of a disease or condition.
“Some FM patients might have B vitamin deficiencies, especially B12. The positive effects of B12/folic acid supplementation for FM patients have been reported. In one study, FM patients who reported themselves as “much improved” subjects had been given higher, more frequent doses for a longer period” [2]
Getting Things Sorted
When you become a patient of the London Pain Clinic, our Fibromyalgia Doctors will ensure that you have all the necessary tests to get you back on track with your life as soon as possible.
References
[1]. Boulis M, Boulis M, Clauw D. Magnesium and Fibromyalgia: A Literature Review. J Prim Care Community Health. 2021 Jan-Dec;12:21501327211038433, as cited by the NIH.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8371721/
[2]. Geir Bjørklund, Maryam Dadar, Salvatore Chirumbolo, Jan Aaseth, Fibromyalgia and nutrition: Therapeutic possibilities?, Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, Volume 103, 2018, Pages 531-538. As cited in Science Direct.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0753332218309697
