Many doctors, researchers and people with fibromyalgia (FMS) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS or ME/CFS) say vitamin supplements are an important part of managing your symptoms. Some vitamins have gone through double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trials and have had mixed results, while others haven't been scientifically tested.
7 Things You Should Know About Supplements for Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Supposed Cures: Many websites claim to sell natural "cures" or treatments for FMS and ME/CFS that generally are very expensive supplement formulas. While their claims are tempting, remember that nothing is proven to cure these conditions, and few things -- natural or otherwise -- are even proven to alleviate symptoms. Be sure to research any substance you consider using and always involve your doctor in your decisions and in follow-up care.
- Beliefs About Supplements: While definitive evidence is lacking, many experts on FMS and ME/CFS claim vitamins can help alleviate common nutritional deficiencies; boost energy, alertness and cognitive function; and decrease pain.
- Risks: Dietary supplements generally are better tolerated and have fewer risks than prescription medications, but anything you take to change the way your body functions is considered a drug. Just because a product is natural doesn't mean it's safe and won't interact with other supplements or medications. You should talk to your doctor and pharmacist about what you're taking, the dosages, and potential interactions. If you have sensitivities to foods, especially gluten, you need to be aware of what inert ingredients are in the vitamins you take.
- Testing: Your doctor may want to test you for certain deficiencies that may be commonly associated with FMS and ME/CFS or that could be contributing to your specific symptoms. This could help guide your supplement therapy and dosages. If your doctor is concerned about severe deficiencies or absorption problems, he/she may give you prescription-level doses or injections rather than over-the-counter (OTC) vitamins.
- Disagreements: Not all doctors agree on whether these conditions are associated with deficiencies or malabsorption problems. If you're concerned about these issues, you may want to bring them up. Even if he/she doesn't fully support a regimen you'd like to follow, work together to ensure that you're not damaging your health in your quest to feel better.
- What to Expect: If you do opt to use supplements as part of your treatment regimen, you shouldn't expect miraculous results. Also, as with medications and other therapies for FMS and ME/CFS, you'll probably have to experiment with different combinations to come up with the supplement regimen that works for you.
- Getting Started: When starting supplements, it's important to only start one new one at a time, then wait a week or two before introducing another one. That will give you a chance to see what effect each supplement has on your body. The same goes for discontinuing them (unless you develop an allergy or other negative side effect.)
Frequently Recommended Supplements for Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Supplements doctors frequently recommend include:
- Vitamin B12
- NADH & CoQ10
- Vitamin D
- Magnesium malate
- DHEA
- Carnitine
Vitamin B for Treating Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
B vitamins are essential for energy production, and some research shows that the majority of people with FMS & ME/CFS are low in B12. Some experts on these illnesses recommend at least 50 mg daily of most B vitamins, and 500 micrograms of B12. Some treatment protocols use B12 injections.
Many doctors disagree with this and consider B12 injections archaic and unscientific. Some FMS and ME/CFS doctors and researchers, however, say anecdotal evidence supports higher B12 levels.
You get B12 in your diet through almost any animal-derived food. Some vegetarian products are fortified with B12, since a plant-based diet generally will not contain enough.
NADH & CoQ10 for Treating Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
NADH, or reduced nicontinamide adenine dinucleotide, is synthesized from niacin and is contained in all living cells. You can get it through your diet by eating meat, fish and poultry, and it's also available in supplement form. Research shows that NADH can stimulate brain function.
CoQ10, or coenzyme Q10, is a powerful antioxidant that is in most of the tissues in your body. You can get it through supplements or foods including oily fish, organ meats and whole grains.
NADH and CoQ10 both are coenzymes, which means they help enzymes in your body break down food and convert it to energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which studies show is sometimes deficient in people with FMS or ME/CFS. Early research on these supplements for treating FMS and ME/CFS is promising, but more research needs to be done.
Vitamin D for Treating Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Your body needs vitamin D to help with calcium absorption and for bone growth and strength. It's naturally available in eggs, Swiss cheese, and several fish, including salmon, mackerel, tuna and sardines. You also get it from sunshine. Food makers also add it cereal and milk to help prevent rickets in children. Along with calcium, vitamin D protects you from osteoporosis.
Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency include muscle pain and weakness. Studies show that many people with FMS or ME/CFS - more than 25% - have low vitamin D levels, and that supplementation may help lower pain levels in some cases. One study shows that vitamin D-deficient people need twice as much narcotic pain reliever non-deficient people.
Some FMS and ME/CFS experts recommend between 1,000 to 2,000 IU of vitamin D daily, which far exceeds the FDA's recommended daily allowance. In fact, the National Institutes of Health considers 2,000 IU the highest tolerable daily amount.
It's important that you include your doctor in any decisions regarding vitamin D supplementation. Too much vitamin D is considered potentially toxic and can lead to nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, constipation, weakness and weight loss. If you take high levels of vitamin D, your doctor may want to test your levels periodically.
- On page 2: Magnesium Malate, DHEA & Carnitine
