Fibromyalgia was first described in the early 1800’s as muscular rheumatism.

     It wasn’t until 1987, that the American Medical Association recognized it as a true illness causing severe disability.  Fibromyalgia is characterized by
18 tender points in specific areas of the body as well as widespread pain
for more than three months.  These are the criteria for diagnosis.  Symptoms can include burning pain, fatigue, flu-like symptoms, abnormal sleep, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, itching skin, problems concentrating, difficulty finding the correct words, stiffness, sensitivity to cold, depression, etc.  Current medical research has shown that at least 80% of people diagnosed with Fibromyalgia also test positive for the Epstein-Barre virus.  Another interesting note is that most Fibromyalgics have had severe cases of mumps, measles and/or mononucleosis as children.  Since severe illness seems to be a predisposition for Fibromyalgia, some researchers have looked deeper for a cause for such widespread cellular damage.

     Since fatigue is the overwhelming complaint for Fibromyalgics, researchers using the latest technology have been able to ascertain the metabolic and functional status of muscles of Fibromyalgia patients.  Using Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, researchers were able to identify lower than normal levels of phosphocreatine and ATP in the quadriceps muscles during rest.  These levels are consistent with the weakness and fatigue in patients with Fibromyalgia.  The reason for the declining levels was due to abnormally wide spaces between the muscle fibers, atrophy of the fibers and also a moth eaten-like appearance.  These changes are consistent with mutations and/or deletions in mitochondria DNA.  The DNA contain codes which produce specific proteins involved in metabolism.  This would explain the abnormally low levels of phosphocreatine and ATP in the muscles of Fibromyalgics. The “mistakes have been shown to either be inherited or acquired through disease, drugs, alcohol and medications.

     Since the disease affects every major organ system of the body and there is no known definitive blood test or scan for diagnosis, physicians can only
hope to alleviate the symptoms by prescribing anti-depressants and sleeping aids.  Very rarely is nutrition and/or supplementation discussed as a means to alleviate the severity of the symptoms and possibly improve the patient’s quality of life.  With the advance of technology has come the enhancement of bioavailability of nutritional supplements.  As a medical nutritionist, I would prescribe the following:

Coenzyme CoQ10, 500 mg per day
Acetyl-L-Carnitine, 1000 mg per day
L-Glutamine, 2 teaspoons daily
Glycophospholipid 2 tablets daily
Maitake Mushroom extract
B-100 complex, one per day
Vitamin D3, 400 IU’s per day
Molecularly distilled Omega-3 fatty acids, 6000 mg per day
Monolaurin (if positive for Epstein-Barr virus)
Ester C 500mg, 4 times per day
Antioxidant Power (by Super Nutrition)
Beta-Carotene 11,000 IU per day
Stonyfield organic yogurt
Organic Green and White tea
R-Lipoic Acid 400 mg per day
Himalayan Goji Juice

     As far as diet, I usually prefer the patient to eliminate all simple sugars,
increase beneficial fats such as macadamia nut oil and coconut oil, use an
organic green drink daily and only use organic vegetables and fruits. No
processed foods are allowed!

Michele Romeo, M.S.

 

Please make sure to stop into Michele's Health Food store the next time you're in Rocky Point, NY:

Almond Tree Health Food
55 Route 25A
Rocky Point, NY 11778
631-821-1412

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