Fibromyalgia causes non-specific chronic pain throughout the musculoskeletal system along with other associated symptoms, of which the most common are severe cases of depression and fatigue. Due to the large number of symptoms there are few single therapies that can provide complete pain relief.
Those being treated for fibromyalgia can talk with their doctor about trying supplements that may help to assist with specific symptoms, such as essential oils that may provide some pain relief, improve sleep, and promote calmness; energy boosters can help to improve moods and increase energy levels; and fish oils can help to decrease inflammation.
Research indicates those with fibromyalgia are suffering from a deficiency in essential minerals, and it is theorized such an imbalance can be responsible for onset of the condition. Some of these essential vitamins and minerals include iron, magnesium, vitamin D, manganese, and calcium, it stands to reason taking steps to normalize levels and maintain them in healthy concentrations may help to reduce symptoms of fibromyalgia or prevent it.
Vitamin D for example appears to be closely linked to the condition, most patients with fibromyalgia are women between the ages of 35-69 when they begin to experience estrogen deficiency connected with menopause. Low estrogen levels also make these women more vulnerable to osteoporosis. To prevent bone loss these women are typically recommended to take vitamin D supplements.
Cairo University conducted a study involving women who were vitamin D deficient and also suffered with fibromyalgia who took large doses of daily vitamin D supplements. At the conclusion of the study the women had considerable improvements in fibromyalgia related pain once their levels of vitamin D rose to at least 30 nanograms per milliliter; as levels of vitamin D concentration increased levels of pain decreased.
In addition to being deficient in vitamin D those with fibromyalgia tend to have low levels of essential elements such as iron, manganese, magnesium, and calcium. Ajou University evaluated minerals levels of those suffering with the condition by taking hair samples for analysis to compare with sample from healthy people. The samples from those with fibromyalgia were reported to have considerably lower levels of iron, manganese, magnesium, and calcium which may be connected to their medical condition.
Supplements of these 4 minerals may help to provide improvements in various symptoms connected to the condition; magnesium and calcium support vitamin D in relieving pain and enhancing bone density. Iron can help to alleviate anemia and chronic fatigue by spurring production of more red blood cells which will increase wakefulness and energy. Manganese can help to control inflammatory responses of the immune system, reducing inflammation can help to provide pain relief to those suffering with fibromyalgia.
