According to a new review, published in the journal Nutrients, found supplementation with Vitamin D and certain minerals may help people who suffer from Fibromyalgia (FM).
Researchers found Fibromyalgia seems to affect about 2% to 8% of the population and is the leading cause of a referral to a Rheumatologist. It is not known what causes Fibromyalgia so it not certain what functional changes occur in the body due to Fibromyalgia.
Much of the evidence reviewed supports the conclusion that FM is a “central pain disorder” which changes the function of the central nervous system which leads to increases in the perception of pain. Recent evidence finds that low-grade systemic inflammation, insufficient antioxidant capacity and increased pro-oxidative status may add to the development of Fibromyalgia. These changes reduce a person’s pain threshold and increase mood disorders and fatigue.
Researchers also found there seemed to dietary imbalances common to Fibromyalgia sufferers.
Vitamin D was found to be one of the most important nutrients found to be deficient throughout the reviews. 40% of FM patients were reported to have a Vitamin D deficiency. In a placebo controlled study involving 90 participants significant reduction in FM symptoms was seen in the treatment group given a high dose of Vitamin D supplement.
Magnesium Supplementation has also been shown to be beneficial. Reduced Magnesium levels have been associated with lower levels of pain response in FM patients. Iron supplementation also has been shown to provide some benefit for FM sufferers.
Overall it has been shown that antioxidants levels are lower in people believed to have Fibromyalgia. Additionally oxidative stress levels are higher in individuals diagnosed with Fibromyalgia.
In 1990 and again in 2010 and 2011 general criteria for diagnosing Fibromyalgia were introduced, although may health care professionals remained unconvinced and supported the conclusion that Fibromyalgia was strongly psychosomatic.
In 2019 new criteria advocating a 3 step approach for Fibromyalgia diagnosis was released.
Pain response measurements, verification that pain sensations were symmetrical on both sides of the body and a standard assessment tool used to rule out other pathological sates of psychological stress became the go to methods for diagnosis.
Further research is needed in areas related to gut microbiome differences between FM sufferers and the general population as well as additional supplementation with antioxidants like Vitamins C and Vitamin E.
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