Fibromyalgia is a chronic illness causing widespread pain, fatigue, brain fog and various other debilitating symptoms.
It can, of course, cause frustration - not being able to do the things you want to do, this also lowers mood and causes depression. It can also cause frustration for those around the sufferer -not being able to see the condition coupled with their being no consistency with the dis-ease means a lot of people who have loved ones with fibromyalgia find it difficult to understand! A lot like doctors who have no real understanding, just know how to prescribe different medications for it. (that normally causes more symptoms, requiring more medications!).
Here are the top 5 supplements for fibromyalgia fighters. All natural with no side effects! Most give relief to multiple symptoms!
Ashwagandha is an ancient Indian spice used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years.
Its healing properties are endless! The 'main' benefits for fibromyalgia symptoms include:
Improving brain function and memory is perfect for those suffering from brain fog and memory loss. Ashwagandha is perfect for cognitive issues.
Not only does ashwagandha help with increasing muscle mass and strength but also helps repair the muscles after exercise. Perfect for fibro fighters who are keen to get back to fitness, or who are keen to try it for preventing stiffness and muscle loss.
As fibro fighters, we are aware that stress can trigger flare-ups and inflammation. Keeping stress as low as possible helps prevent symptoms. Ashwagandha also helps prevent insomnia! This herb is a magical gift from nature and one I use daily!
Another proven benefit of ashwagandha is its ability to help prevent inflammation! This is another benefit for those who suffer with fibromyalgia as reducing inflammation will reduce pain!
You can read more benefits on Ashwagandha here and see the science behind the benefits.
Turmeric is another spice native to India that has been used as part of ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. Its main active compound that contains beneficial health benefits is curcumin.
Using turmeric or curcumin alone does not give the health benefits as it is not bioavailable to the body. This is believed to be due to poor absorption, rapid metabolism, and rapid elimination. Adding black pepper to it increases the bioavailability by a massive 2000%! So if you are choosing to use turmeric for its health benefits, be sure to add black pepper too!
So these health benefits will help with fibro symptoms? They include:
These are not the only health benefits though! The main ones for fibromyalgia fighters are very similar to those of ashwagandha.
Reducing stress and inflammation will help with reducing pain and flare-ups. Reducing inflammation will also help with relieving muscle aches and pains after exercising.
A lot of fibro fighters also suffer from depression. Understandable when you are in constant pain and unable to do the things you want to do! Turmeric is the perfect supplement for those who do suffer as studies show the reduction of depression symptoms in those who use it daily!
You can read more in-depth about turmeric and some of the studies carried out here.
Magnesium comes in different forms. All of which benefit fibromyalgia symptoms in different ways! The ones most likely to help with fibro symptoms include:
Magnesium L-Threonate helps with memory and brain function, again, perfect for fibro fog! It also helps with insomnia and sleeping - another win!
Magnesium Malate helps with muscle tension and pain! It also helps boost energy all whilst calming overactive nerve cells.
And Magnesium sulfate- also known as Epsom salts! It has an aesthetic effect on your body and also helps remove toxins!
You can read more about all types of magnesium here.
St John's Wort is a flowering herb that has been used for centuries due to it's healing properties. Researhch shows it is beneficial for fibromyalgia fighers due to it's anti- depressant properties and it's andti inflammatory properties too! You can read a study into these benefits here
Vitamin D is an essential vitamin offer health benefits of Vitamin D includes:
Digestive issues, muscle pain, bone pain, soft bones, weak immune system, rickets, calcium deficency, magnesium deficency, osteoporosis and much more.
One study looking at fibromyalgia and vitamin D shows that adding a quality vitain D supplement eases fibromyalgia symptoms.
You can get a quality food extract Vitmain D here.