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February 3, 2011
Lisa M. McMahon
People with fibromyalgia and other chronic disease require more than the minimum daily requirements
because their bodies have deficiencies as part of the disease. Your body needs higher doses not
only to meet the daily requirements, but also to replace and restore the deficiencies. The Journal
of American Medication Association recently recommended that all adults should take a daily
multivitamin.
Nutritional strategies can play an important role in the overall treatment of fibromyalgia,
according to Mark J. Pellegrino, MD. He recommends that you use chelated minerals to improve
bioavailability. Bioavailability is the amount of a nutrient ingested that is absorbed and
available for the body's use. Chelation is the process of binding a mineral into a stable form by
surrounding them with an amino acid. Since the body is very efficient at absorbing amino acids,
digestion transports minerals across the intestinal wall.
Supplements should also be well tolerated. In order words, there should not be any side effects.
Some supplements can cause flu-like symptoms, diarrhea or rashes.
Common Deficiencies
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is manufactured from the amino acid tryptophan. It is
important to a number of body functions including those related to sleep, mood and energy. Clinical
symptoms of serotonin deficiency include depression, fatigue, increased pain and hypoglycemia. The
nutritional supplement to treat serotonin deficiency is 100 to 300 mg of 5-HTP per day, 300 mg of
St. John's Word per day, and 200 to 400 mg of SAM-e per day.
Another common deficiency is magnesium. It is estimated that 75 percent of the US population is
magnesium deficient but even higher among fibromyalgics. Magnesium helps muscles to relax and make
energy. The body needs it to convert 5-HTP to serotonin. Symptoms of magnesium deficiency include
increased fatigue, increased spasms, and increased pain. Magnesium glycinate is the preferred form
of the nutritional supplement. Dr. Pellegrino recommends taking magnesium that is co-factored with
malic acid. He recommends 300 to 500 mg per day.
Many fibromyalgics have low ATP or energy molecules in their muscles. This deficiency is caused by
low levels of oxygen in their muscles, probably due to poor metabolism of nutrients. Low ATP
contributes to fatigue, increase muscle spasms and pain. Magnesium and co-enzyme Q10 (CoQ10) can
improve ATP levels. Take 100 to 300 mg of CoQ10 daily for this deficiency.
Vitamin B12 is another common deficiency for fibromyalgics. Your body uses vitamin B12 to
manufacture red blood cells as well as improve nerve pathways, DNA synthesis and folic acid
metabolism. If you are deficient, you may have increased fatigue, numbness and tingling and a
depressed immune system.
In 1998, Dr. Bennett found that fibromyalgics have decreased human growth hormone levels. Symptoms
of this deficiency include fatigue, fibro fog, decreased metabolism and a depressed immune system.
Bovine colostrum is taken orally as a nutritional supplement to fight this deficiency. Injections
are another option but they are very expensive.
Fibromyalgia sufferers also frequently have problems with their adrenal glands. When the adrenal
glands become dysfunctional, they can cause problems with your immune system and your ability to
handle stress. Colostrum, vitamin C, zinc, Echinacea, cinnamon, garlic, and golden seal are
nutritional supplements that can help boost your immune system. You can also take antioxidants like
vitamins A and E, grapeseed extract and lipoic acid to fight free radicals and improve and improve
system. Licorice root and eleuthero (Siberian ginseng) can also help improve adrenal gland
function.
Final Analysis
Listen to your body. It is trying to tell you what it needs. It is not a coincidence that these
nutritional deficiencies share the same symptoms as fibromyalgia. Work with your medical
practitioner in devising a treatment program that includes nutrition therapy. If they cannot or are
unwilling to help, seek help from a nutritional therapist.
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