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Fibromyalgia Monthly Newsletter
Fibromyalgia Newsletter – July / August 2006
Brought to you by: Jane Oelke, N.D., Ph.D.
DoctorOelke@aol.com
Gain More Energy!
Feeling fatigued is the most common complaint I hear. In fact, last week more people who usually do not complain about being tired were saying that they felt exhausted. We could not figure out why in conversation, but it probably is due to a nutritional deficiency related to a stress they were experiencing.
People with fibromyalgia often complain about being tired, especially after periods of exertion. In fact, the lack of muscle oxygen, or hypoxia, is a common cause of the pain of fibromyalgia. Nutritionally, the combination of magnesium and malic acid can help reverse both of these conditions.
Ongoing research studies show that many patients with fibromyalgia (or with chronic fatigue) have low magnesium levels. Magnesium supplementation enhances the treatment of both conditions. Its benefits appear to result, at least in part, from its positive impact on serotonin function.
Magnesium is the 4th most abundant mineral. It is known to help muscles relax. And that is why it is useful for your heart muscle, your colon activity, and for energy production in all muscles. It is of critical importance for people with chronic fatigue. Magnesium is the key mineral needed to generate energy, and maintain oxygen levels in the body. Magnesium is essential for the mitochondria in each cell to produce and use ATP.
Adenosine triphosphate, or ATP, is the substance that stores energy that is created when the body burns carbohydrates and fats in the citric acid cycle. When the body needs to create energy (for example, in muscular contractions), ATP is broken down to release the stored energy. ATP is the main energy molecule for the body, and is needed just like electricity is needed to power our televisions.
Malic Acid is a phytochemical found in fruits and vegetables, with apples having the most. Malic acid helps maintain oxygen levels, and works with magnesium to improve energy production in the cells. When you feel physically exhausted you may have a malic acid deficiency. In a test done with 15 fibromyalgia patients who took a daily dose of 300-600 mg of malic acid, all patients reported significant improvement of pain within 48 hours of starting the supplement. Fatigue symptoms may take approximately 2 weeks to respond to the supplement.
Magnesium and malic acid can also protect against the toxic effects of aluminum. Excess aluminum in your system can cause fatigue also. Magnesium blocks aluminum from being absorbed into your cells, and malic acid helps to get aluminum out of your cells when it is already there.
The supplement I commonly used for clients to help with energy metabolism when there is connective tissue weakness or pain (especially in fibromyalgia clients) is Fibroplex. Fibroplex has absorbable magnesium and malic acid, along with the B complex vitamins needed to help with metabolism. I recommended at least 2 per day, up to 4 tablets if needed for fatigue.
Fibroplex is made by Metagenics and can be found on-line at Meta E-Health. To find out more about this supplement and other specialty supplements I recommend, you can download the Supplement User Guide found at my Natural Choices website: www.naturalchoicesforyou.com The link is located near the bottom of the first page.
Newsletter Update
As you can see this is the July/August 2006 newsletter. It started as just the July newsletter but with traveling I have not had the creative time to work on it as usually necessary. Since you are getting it near the end of July, I have decided to take of myself and not do a specific August newsletter.
Too often clients who have fibromyalgia that came on gradually find that the fibromyalgia pain is worse during stressful periods. I am preventing fibromyalgia in my own life by taking this break in the monthly newsletter publishing. I will return in September with another Fibromyalgia newsletter.
I hope you also take times when you take care of yourself over others who “need” you. Too often people with Fibromyalgia have a nurturing personality that helps others and forgets to give much needed time for themselves. Take good care of yourself, so that you can have the energy you need to help others also!
Jane Oelke, N.D., Ph.D.
Natural Choices, Inc.
"Building Your Health Naturally"
DoctorOelke@aol.com
www.NaturalChoicesForYou.com
www.NaturalChoicesForFibromyalgia.com
1-888-893-7225
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