Fibromyalgia and food supplements: what are their benefits in managing the disease?

What is fibromyalgia? 

Fibromyalgia, also known as fibromyalgia syndrome, is clinically defined as a syndrome consisting of chronic symptoms of moderate to severe intensity, including chronic diffuse pain with no apparent cause, and sensitivity to pressure, associated with fatigue, cognitive and sleep disorders and numerous somatic issues.

Fibromyalgia was recognised as a medical entity by the WHO in 1992 and classified as chronic widespread pain in the latest International Classification of Diseases (ICD).

Long considered to be a psychosomatic condition, due to the heterogeneity of its symptoms and the absence of any identifiable lesion or organic dysfunction, fibromyalgia is now recognised as "no disciplastic pain", caused by alterations in nociception, i.e. the pain detection and control system.

The symptoms of fibromyalgia vary from person to person, but typically include :

• Neurological symptoms: patients experience chronic widespread pain, mainly in the muscles, tendons or joints, which may be accompanied by tingling, pins and needles or hypersensitivity to sensory stimulation.
  
• Chronic fatigue,
  
• Sleep disorders,
  
• Anxiety or depressive disorders.

How can fibromyalgia be treated and managed? 

To date, there is no cure for fibromyalgia. Certain drug treatments such as analgesics, antidepressants and antiepileptics may be prescribed, generally as a second-line treatment.

At the beginning, treatment is based on a non-medicinal, multidisciplinary and personalised approach.

The most frequently used therapeutic approaches include:

• Well-adapted physical activity, to recondition the body to exercise and promote muscular and mental relaxation,
  
• Thermal spa therapy,
  
• Kinesiology, a method designed to unblock physical and emotional blockages in the body,
  
• Transcutaneous neurostimulation (TENS) is a non-medicinal, non-invasive technique designed to relieve pain using a low-voltage electrical current transmitted by electrodes placed on the skin,
  
• Psychological support to help you come to terms with your illness, manage your pain more effectively and/or overcome a potentially triggering trauma,
  
• Meditation, sophrology or any other relaxation activity.
  

Certain food supplements can also help maintaint the body's strengths and provide an addition to your treatment plan.

What dietary supplements can help manage the symptoms of fibromyalgia? 

Vitamin D 

Vitamin D contributes to the normal functioning of the immune system and to maintaining normal muscle function.

A 2017 meta-analysis showed that a large majority of fibromyalgia patients had significantly lower serum vitamin D levels than the control group. This meta-analysis also points to a correlation between vitamin D levels and pain.

You should aim for a blood level of 30 to 40 ng/mL of vitamin D. In practice, to maintain calciferol (vitamin D) levels above 30 ng/mL during the cold season, you need to ingest an average of 1000 IU of vitamin D3 per day. You can't get these doses from food, so you need to supplement your diet.

Magnesium 

Magnesium deficiency is often found in fibromyalgia patients. An essential mineral for the body, magnesium is involved in the normal functioning of the nervous system and muscles, as well as in maintaining normal psychological function.

Several studies have shown a correlation between magnesium deficiency and increased levels of substance P, a neuropeptide involved in pain perception.

Restoring the correct level of magnesium should therefore be one of the first nutritional concerns for patients suffering from fibromyalgia. This may involve choosing magnesium-rich foods (mineral waters, legumes, nuts, dried oilseeds, wholegrain cereals, dark green leafy vegetables, wheat germ, seafood, etc.), but also supplementation.

Probiotics 

Several studies have shown a link between the intestinal microbiome and chronic pain syndromes. What's more, according to some studies, 60% of fibromyalgia patients suffer from digestive problems, often suggestive of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Consuming probiotics could therefore be beneficial for these patients.

Before making any changes to your diet or taking one or more dietary supplements, it is essential to discuss the matter with a healthcare professional, particularly if you are taking medication. Healthcare professionals can provide valuable advice on potential interactions and ensure the safe and appropriate use of food supplements with other medicines.