FIBROMYALGIA
FIBROMYALGIA: A RISK FACTOR FOR OSTEOPOROSIS
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a poorly understood chronic musculoskeletal
disorder characterised by widespread pain, decreased pain
threshold, non-restorative sleep, fatigue, stiffness, mood
disturbance, irritable bowel syndrome, headache, paraesthesias,
and other less common features. A characteristic central
nervous system feature of FM is accompanying anxiety and/or
depression. It has recently been shown that bone mineral
density (BMD) is decreased in women with past or current
depression. Therefore researchers carried out a study to
investigate associations of BMD and osteoporosis in patients
with fibromyalgia. The patients’ ages were 33 to 60
years and none used steroids or other bone demineralising
agents. Simple T tests were used to compare hip and lumbar
spine BMD of FM cases to controls by 3 decades (31-40, 41-50,
51-60 years). It was found that the patients with FM in
all 3 decades had a lower mean BMD of the spine. The femoral
neck BMD were also lower, but reached significance only
in the 51-60-age group.
Thus, fibromyalgia in this pilot study was frequently associated
with osteoporosis. Early detection and implementation of
appropriate nutritional supplementation (calcium/vitamin
D), resistive and weight bearing exercise, and specific
bone mineral enhancing pharmacological therapy may be indicated
in pre, peri, and postmenopausal subjects.
Swezy, R.L. and Adams, J
J. RHEUMATOL. 1999, 26 (12) 2642-4
MAGNESIUM - A VITAL MINERAL
Magnesium is a mineral that is abundant both in nature
and in the human body, where it is involved in the activation
of more than 300 enzymes and body chemicals. The Department
of Health has set the Reference Nutrient Intake (RNI) for
magnesium at 300mg per day. However, many nutritionists
now feel that the average world RNI should be set at 450mg
per day. A survey in 1994 showed that 72% of women and 42%
of men aged between 19 and 50, and 89% of females aged 16-18
years do not achieve the RNI for magnesium. Low levels of
magnesium in the diet and in our bodies increase susceptibility
to a variety of diseases, including heart disease, high
blood pressure, kidney stones, cancer, insomnia, PMS, and
menstrual cramps. Signs and symptoms of magnesium deficiency
are fatigue, mental confusion, irritability, weakness, heart
disturbance, problems in nervous conduction and muscle contraction,
muscle cramps, loss of appetite, insomnia and predisposition
to stress. Magnesium is essential for the proper functioning
of the entire cardiovascular system. Because magnesium contributes
greatly to the strength of contraction by heart muscle,
magnesium supplementation has been found to be helpful in
the management of angina, atherosclerosis, intermittent
claudication and high blood pressure.
One of the most important components of any osteoporosis
programme is magnesium. As much as 60% of all magnesium
in the body is found in the bones. A defect of bone crystal
formation in magnesium-deficiency women is thought to be
one of the factors that increase fracture risk.
Magnesium works in many ways to preserve the health of
the nervous system. During times of stress, magnesium stores
are depleted and large amounts of this mineral are lost
in the urine. With its ability to exert a calming effect
on the nervous system together with its muscle relaxing
role, magnesium, taken 30-40 minutes before retiring, may
help those suffering stress or insomnia.
Studies have shown a low intracellular magnesium content
in patients with bronchial asthma. Magnesium deficiency
can also increase the release of histamine into the bloodstream.
Thereby increasing allergic reactivity in general.
Magnesium also plays a central role in the secretion and
action of insulin. Without adequate magnesium levels within
the body’s cells, control over blood sugar levels
is impossible.
Magnesium has also been found to play a role in the aetiology
of migraines, fibromyalgia, PMS, kidney stones and attention
deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Williams, E.
NUTRIT. PRACT. 1999,1 (3) 27-9
