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Fibromyalgia - Vitamin C
I have recently become aware of several (many more than I was aware of) suffer from a condition called Fibromyalgia. I came across a testimonial by an individual that is unidentified, but I believe that her story shows some insight into this condition that you might not find anywhere else, so FMS, Fibromyalgia Syndrome will be the topic for today. Vitamin C is a very important supplement in this condition, in my opinion, so it will also be looked into. If you know of anyone that would benefit from this newsletter, please feel free to forward it or copy it as I have no problem with this as long as this letter is kept intact. I must also make it very clear that I am
not a doctor and that the information contained here-in is meant to be
educational and is not meant to replace proper medical treatment. If, by chance,
you decide to try to treat yourself for any condition, please do so under the
guidance of your physician or health care provider.
CONTENTS
FIBROMYALGIA "I suffer from Fibromyalgia; thus the reason for my
writing this article. Before I begin, I would like to give you a brief personal history to demonstrate what most FMS patients go through before diagnosis and treatment options are given to them. Besides, from my own personal experiences, my information comes from interviewing many other FMS in my hometown. As Assistant Director (and Founder/Editor of the group's newsletter), I had a unique opportunity to meet with FMS patients and hear their stories. (Although I resigned last August, I still network with the group-{my associate} sends me her "natural people", as she calls them.) When I meet a "new" FMS person, the first question he or she usually asks is "how long have you had it?" Frankly, I think I have suffered from Fibromyalgia most of my life. However, my most severe symptoms appeared in April of 1984. I suffered a whiplash as a result of being rear-ended in my auto. Twelve weeks later I found myself in the hospital for emergency surgery not related to the car accident. Severe trauma is classic of how FMS begins. During childhood, my complaints were dismissed by the
doctor as growing pains and juvenile arthritis. As
a young adult I was sent to physician after
physician-each with his or her own idea as to my condition. None of the
treatments offered stopped my pain. My intolerances to many western medical
drugs, which caused severe side effects, exaggerated the problem. I
am sure the doctors felt I was a head case. Bottom line is that most of us
who have gone through this doctor shopping and relay system had to endure
more than just tests. Doctors do not like failure cases. It is frustrating
to them to not be able to give the patient-in-pain a prescription
which allows them to go home and get better. I was finally diagnosed with FMS by a Rheumatologist in
1986, only then it was called Fibrositis. The
doctor listened to my complaints, read my medical
files and just shook his head. "Great," I thought-"here we go
again." surprisingly, the doctor went straight to the
tender points on my body and pressed. I nearly
passed out. He gently finished the exam, excused
himself and returned with a brochure on fibrosistis. I almost wept when
I read the publication. It described my symptoms to the letter-what a relief
to know I had "something". Self-doubt is typical in cases like mine." FMS was first recorded around the 1930's yet research interest did not really get started until the 1970's. Fibro Myalgia means pain that affects soft tissue. Pain in the muscles, ligaments, and often, tendons. Fibromyalgia has been called everything from soft tissue rheumatism, rheumatic gout, myofascial pain syndrome, and fibrositis (inflammation of connective tissues). Fibromyalgia has been referred to as a disorder, syndrome and disease. The current phase by the medical community is Fibromyalgia Syndrome or FMS. Some authorities believe that FMS and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) are one and the same. FMS is usually treated by Rheumatologists or by a physician specializing in chronic pain management. FMS symptoms are often described as "I hurt everywhere". The major symptoms is pain, widespread pain. A condition of FMS that sets this apart from other muscle pain disorders is the presence of tender points- isolated areas that are tender or painful to touch and pressure. Differences between tender points and trigger points (points that are present in healthy people) is that tender points are highly specific. If you press on either side of a tender point the patient will not feel pain. Pressure on the tender point itself will cause most FMS patients to come off the exam table. Until this testing format was discovered, Fibromyalgia was considered by most doctors as being "all in your head". Research was minimal until men, specifically professional athletes, began to show FMS symptoms so severe that it affected their performances. Other symptoms of FMS are: generalized musculoskeletal aching, and pain and stiffness for at least three months. A doctor looks at all these symptoms and reaches a diagnosis after ruling out underlying causes such as other rheumatic disorders, endocrine disorders, malignancy or trauma. To further complicate diagnosis, FMS patients also have normal laboratory tests and radiographs (x-rays). Fibromyalgia pain can begin gradually or suddenly. It may initially be felt in one specific area of the body, such as the shoulders, neck or the lower back, then spread. Pain can be dull, diffused, or sharp-knife like. People will commonly use words such as aching, gnawing, stabbing, radiating and shooting. Some think they have pinched a nerve. Patients describe chest pain so intense that at first the symptoms seem like a heart attack. Burning pain has been often described, especially, on the tender points. FMS is accompanied with an array of symptoms and other health problems. The list is quite extensive, so I will cover the most frequently mentioned: Vertigo (dizziness and balance problems), severe headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, subjective swelling in the extremities (hands and feet), Parethesia (numbness, tingling in extremities), and sensitivity to the environment (particularly cigarette smoke, bright lights, the sun, cold, heat and loud noises). Weather affects FMS patients-changing weather and high mold spore count can cause FMS pain to increase. Cognitive problems (difficulty with thought processes such as concentration, thinking, remembering clearly) and short term memory loss. Sleep disorders are reported in more than 75% of FMS patients. They sleep poorly or awaken frequently throughout the night, often feeling more tired in the morning than when they went to bed. The sleep is nonrestorative. This type of sleep disturbance has been documented in sleep laboratory studies and is a true sleeping disorder. Morning stiffness is also common with FMS. This stiffness is often referred to as "gelling" because your body seems to set like Jell-O. Fatigue is high up on the complaint list. The fatigue can be mild or profound, interfering with all daily activities. It comes as no surprises to anyone with FMS, that Fibromyalgia is often called the "irritable everything" syndrome! Fibromyalgia can be brought about by a physical trauma such as a car accident, a fall or surgery. It can start with an illness like the flu. In some people, FMS develops after a sudden hormonal change, like childbirth or a hysterectomy. A sudden emotional trauma such as the loss of a loved one can set in motion FMS conditions. In other articles on FMS, many "experts" believe only certain personality types get FMS. In my contacts with other FMS patients, there was an unbelievable range of ages, health conditions, as well as personality types. Every body type, posture and weight were represented. Life styles ranged from couch potatoes to marathon runners. Personalities from type B to very intense, career driven type A's. This is a basic list of nutritional support FMS sufferers need to be on in order to control the pain and help the body's systems. For detoxing the body's system (this gives the body a fighting head start, and helps other nutritional work better): It is also my opinion that due to what is usually used to treat FMS by the medical world that candida may play a vital part in the FMS puzzle. With the imbalances that occur in FMS cases a candida diet has been known to be very helpful. New research into this condition also indicates that FMS is associated with Magnesium, Vitamin B6, or Malic acid deficiencies which cause muscle pain, fatigue, and Depression. Rotate: Para-Cleanse (10 day) - is a 10-day program designed to support the efforts of the intestinal system in cleansing. Tiao-He Cleanse
- The Tiao He Cleanse is designed to support the cleansing mechanisms of the
body by targeting Add: Vitamin C - Ascorbates. Probiotic Eleven - to fight Candida and help digest foods. This is "friendly bacteria." Be sure to keep refrigerated. Wild yam/Chaste tree - Adrenal support - chronic CA-Herbal, Skeletal Strength, and Mega-chel - All very supportive nutritionally and for fighting pain. Magnesium - Vital complex that helps absorption. Also very important. APS II w/White Willow Bark - For acute pain. Nerve Eight - Eight pain fighting herbs that nurture as well. Una De Gato - Anti-inflammatory. Red Clover Blend - For muscle pain. VS-C and Caprylic Acid Trigger Immune - Chinese and Echinacea - Rotate for immune system. Pau D' arco - Found to be effective builder and yeast inhibitor. Suma Complex - For mental alertness, stress.
Sources:
Interesting Facts
Source: Health and Healing Tomorrows Medicine Today by Julian Whitaker, M.D. (June, 2000 Vol. 10, No. 6)
VITAMIN C Vitamin C, also called ascorbic acid, is powerful water-soluble antioxidant that is vital for the growth and maintenance of all body tissues. Though easily absorbed by the intestines, vitamin C cannot be stored in the body, and is excreted in the urine within two to four hours of ingestion. Humans, along with apes and guinea pigs, are the only species on the planet incapable of synthesizing vitamin C, and must therefore have access to sufficient amounts from adequate dietary sources or supplements in order to maintain optimal health. One of vitamin C's most vital roles is in the
production of collagen, an important cellular
component of connective tissues, muscles, tendons, bones,
teeth and skin. Collagen is also required for the repair of blood vessels,
bruises, and broken bones. This easily destroyed
nutrient also protects us from the ravages of free radicals,
dangerous unpaired oxygen fragments that are produced in huge numbers
as a normal byproduct of human metabolic processes. Left unchecked, free
radicals can roam the body, destroying cell membranes on contact and damaging
DNA strands, leading to degenerative diseases and contributing to accelerated
aging. The antioxidant activity of vitamin C can also protect us
from the damaging effects of air pollution and radiation, and aid in preventing
cancers. Vitamin C also inhibits the conversion of nitrites, chemicals
found in foods and processed meats, into nitrosamines, dangerous cancer
causing compounds that can lead to cancers of the stomach, bladder, and
colon A deficiency of ascorbic acid can impair the production of collagen and lead to joint pain, anemia, nervousness, retarded growth, reduced immune response, and increased susceptibility to infections. The most extreme form of vitamin C deficiency is called scurvy, a condition evidenced by swelling of the joints, bleeding gums, and the bursting, or hemorrhaging, of tiny blood vessels just below the surface of skin. If untreated scurvy is fatal. Before the discovery of lemons and limes as convenient sources of ascorbic acid, seafarers setting out on long ocean voyages could expect to lose up to two-thirds of a ships crew to scurvy. In acknowledgement of the the historical import of this well known and dreaded deficiency disease, in latin, the word ascorbic means "without scurvy". A recent important epidemiologic study showed that men who took vitamin C supplements lived, on average, 6 years longer than men who relied on normal dietary sources of vitamin C. This increase in life span seems to be due to a sharp reduction in heart disease. It has been estimated that if the epidemiology study is correct and everyone took just several hundred milligrams of vitamin C a day, it would save 100,000 lives and $100 billion a year in health care costs in the U.S. The recommended daily intake for vitamin c is 60 milligrams, but most health care professionals recognize that this tiny amount is barely enough to prevent the onset of scurvy, let alone confer any of the many well documented benefits of this amazing nutrient. Based on countless medical studies the therapeutic intake of ascorbic acid can be said to safely range from 500 to 4000 milligrams per day. Since this water-soluble vitamin is completely excreted from the body within 2 to 4 hours, and since the idea is to maintain stable serum levels for best results, the desired total daily dose should be divided into three separate doses and be taken throughout the day. Foods highest in vitamin C include citrus fruits, potatoes, peppers, green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, and berries. Vitamin C is also available as a supplement in a wide range of forms such as pills, tablets, powders, wafers, and syrups. Generally doses range from 500 milligrams to 5000 milligrams depending upon the delivery system. Vitamin C activity is enhanced when taken with natural bioflavanoids such as hesperidn and rutin. Ascorbic acid works synergistically with vitamin E, meaning that both nutrients work more effectively together to extend their antioxidant effects. Ascorbyl palmitate is a fat soluble form of vitamin C that is available only in supplement form. It is a very powerful antioxidant that works to protect fats from peroxidation, and it can be stored in the body in small amounts. Ascorbyl palmitate works best when taken in combination with ascorbic acid. The topical application of vitamin C inhibits tumor promotion in mouse skin, according to a recent study. Moreover, ascorbyl palmitate, the fat-soluble form of vitamin C, was found to be at least 30 times more effective than water-soluble vitamin C in tumor reduction in the presence of a known tumor promoter. While the study also demonstrated that it was possible to increase levels of ascorbic acid in the skin via dietary means, that increase did not result in tumor inhibition in this study Only topically applied vitamin C (both the watersoluble and, especially, the fat-soluble forms) resulted in enhanced protection. Mice, unlike humans, can synthesize vitamin C in their bodies. The mice did not do better at the lowest dose of vitamin C, which apparently down-regulated their natural production. At higher doses, however, supplemented mice did better than unsupplemented mice. The ability to inhibit tumor-promotion in skin via dietary supplementation with ascorbyl palmitate is under investigation. (Smart RC, Crawford CL. Effect of ascorbic acid and its synthetic lipophilic derivative ascorbyl palmitate on phorbol ester-induced skin-tumor promotion in mice.Am J Clin Nutr. 1991;54:1266S-12735.) Mice that had high dietary intakes of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and were subjected to ultraviolet (UV) light had fewer malignant skin lesions than those with lower levels of vitamin C. In a 20-week study, those mice receiving the lowest levels of dietary ascorbate developed serious malignant lesions at five times the rate of those mice fed the highest amounts of supplemental ascorbate. With a high statistical correspondence, the study showed that vitamin C was able to delay the formation of tumors induced by UV light. No toxic side effects of any sort were found with regard to the levels of vitamin C. (Pauling L. Effect of ascorbic acid on incidence of spontaneous mammal tumors and UV-light-induced skin tumors in mice. Am J Clin Nutr. 1991;54:1252S-1255S.) While generally nontoxic, even in very large amounts, consuming vitamin C in large doses can lead to oxalic acid and uric acid stone formation unless consumed with plenty of water and supplemented with extra magnesium and vitamin B6. Taking large doses without slowly working up to the desired level can also cause temporary side effects such as diarrhea and skin rashes. VITAMIN C AND HIV SUPPRESSION Suppression of human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV) was
found to take place in the presence of vitamin C.
The near two-fold inhibition of HIV growth in Vitro
required a continuous presence of non-cytotoxic amounts of either ascorbic
acid or calcium ascorbate. When vitamin C was combined with NAC (N-acetyl
L-cysteine), the result was a synergistic eight-fold inhibition of
HIV replication. NAC is a mucolytic agent (mucous liquefier) that is structurally
and functionally related to L-cysteine. This trial suggests the
potential for the antiviral activity of vitamin C, especially in combination
with thiol compounds such as L-cysteine, for improved control of
HIV infections. (Harakeh S, Jariwalla R.J. Comparative study of the anti-HIV
activities of ascorbate and thiol-containing reducing agents in chronically
HlV-infected cells. Am J Clin Nutr 1991;54:S1231-1235S.) |
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