ACETYL L CARNITINE

It’s a shame your daughter has only been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, having suffered from the symptoms for so many years. The cause of Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) is not well known, and it has been linked to several health problems such as traumatic injuries, Adrenal gland dysfunction, Endocrine gland disorders, Sleep disorders as well as Emotional, Physical and Mental Stress. However, scientists are now starting to understand what goes wrong in the body when it succumbs to fibromyalgia. It is now thought to arise from a miscommunication between the nerve fibres in the brain, as well as an imbalance in the endocrine function of the body. In fact, many of the most common symptoms of fibromyalgia such as muscle pain, fatigue, poor sleep, depression, and digestive problems also occur in various diseases of the nervous and endocrine systems.  What happens in fibromyalgia is that the nerves become excitable, causing an increase in pain sensation. And so people suffering from fibromyalgia have a reduction in their pain threshold, an increased response to painful stimulation, and much longer persistence in their duration of pain. Furthermore, individuals with fibromyalgia have certain chemical imbalances such as high levels of the chemicals Substance P and Nerve Growth Factor (NGF). There is also a reduction in the levels of serotonin. Increased levels of substance P increases the sensitivity of the nerves to pain, and NGF leads to an increase in substance P levels. Serotonin reduces the sensation of pain by blocking substance P. Serotonin also helps regulate digestion, sleep, mood and mental clarity. When the body is put under stressful situations which can be emotional or physical, it releases the hormones adrenaline, cortisol and insulin. And these stress hormones stimulate the brain to secrete serotonin. However, when the stress continues unabated, it depletes the body’s serotonin stores.  In fibromyalgia, there is also a disorder in the brain pathway known as the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis (HPA). This pathway is like the body’s master computer, continuously receiving information about the state of the body, and able to make the necessary changes if anything drifts out of line. It regulates such bodily functions as blood pressure (often low in fibromyalgia), Digestion, Sleep-Wake cycles, Heart Rate (irregular heartbeats are common in FMS), Balance and Co-ordination, Thyroid and Adrenal hormones.  The dysfunctions in the nervous and endocrine systems feed-off each other in fibromyalgia, giving rise to a vicious cycle of worsening symptoms. Chronic stress disrupts the function of the HPA pathway, which in turn disrupts the sleep cycles. The resulting poor sleep reduces the production of growth hormone, leading to poor repair of damaged muscle fibres, poor memory, fatigue, and more pain. Increased pain further disrupts sleep causing depletion in serotonin stores. A reduction in serotonin causes an increase in Substance P, causing even more pain.  Because there is a better understanding of the cause of fibromyalgia, it has now become possible to alleviate the symptoms and even cure it. Since low levels of serotonin play a significant role in the development of fibromyalgia, restoring the ‘serotonin bank’ of the body helps manage the condition. The most natural source of serotonin is the amino acid Tryptophan. It is found in whole grains, rice, chickpeas, meat and fish. However, the only way to get adequate amounts is to take supplements.  In the body, tryptophan is converted to serotonin. Tryptophan should never be taken with a number of medications, especially antidepressants known as SSRI’s (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors).  Fibromyalgia is also commonly associated with the poor absorption of minerals and vitamins. Vitamin B12 is low in fibromyalgia and is needed by the body to improve energy levels and brain function.  Magnesium deficiency is also a common occurrence in fibromyalgia, and studies have shown that the lower the levels of magnesium, the more fatigue a sufferer feels. The best form of supplemental magnesium is its combination with Malic acid known as Magnesium Malate. Malic acid plays a vital role in the production of energy, and many studies have demonstrated a reduction in the symptoms of fibromyalgia with Magnesium Malate.  Acetyl-L-Carnitine is a natural amino acid found in the body and involved in the production of energy. Researchers have noted that people with fibromyalgia are low in acetyl-L-carnitine and that supplementation may improve musculoskeletal pain, depression, as well as general and mental health. Furthermore, a study from Italian scientists reported that fibromyalgia sufferers supplementing with 1.5 g of Acetyl-L-Carnitine showed tremendous improvement in their symptoms in 10 weeks. Other important nutrients are Co-enzyme Q 10 for energy, SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine) to relieve stress, depression and pain, and Vitamin E, which has also been shown to improve fibromyalgia symptoms.