Natural Relief for Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
By Kimberly Beauchamp, ND
Healthnotes Newswire (March 15, 2007)—A new study shows that a
naturally occurring sugar called D-ribose could help improve well-
being in people with fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome, two
perplexing and difficult-to-treat conditions.

Chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia share many characteristics
and often go hand-in-hand. According to the Arthritis Foundation 50 to
70% of people with fibromyalgia also fit the criteria for chronic
fatigue syndrome, and vice versa. Both conditions are more likely to
occur in women than in men.

Chronic fatigue syndrome usually begins with a flu-like illness and is
characterized by impaired memory and concentration, insomnia, long-
lasting fatigue after exercise, and profound fatigue that doesn’t
improve with rest. People with chronic fatigue syndrome often have a
sore throat, tender lymph nodes, muscle and joint pain, and
headaches.

Widespread bodily pain, fatigue, multiple tender points, sleep
disturbances, and an increased sensitivity to stimuli (light, touch,
odors, and noise) are commonly associated with fibromyalgia. People
with fibromyalgia are also likely to suffer from irritable bowel
syndrome and to have difficulty concentrating, sometimes called “fibro
fog.” These symptoms are more likely to begin after some sort of
injury or trauma.

Depending on which symptoms predominate or, sometimes, which condition
the doctor is more familiar with, a diagnosis of chronic fatigue
syndrome, fibromyalgia, or both may be made.

Besides having many symptoms in common, chronic fatigue syndrome and
fibromyalgia may both be related to a shortage of energy at the
cellular level. D-ribose is a component of ATP (adenosine
triphosphate), the compound that supplies nearly all of the body’s
energy.

“As D-ribose has been shown to increase cellular energy synthesis in
heart and skeletal muscle, this study was done to evaluate if D-ribose
could improve symptoms in [fibromyalgia] and/or [chronic fatigue
syndrome] patients,” said the new study’s authors in the Journal of
Alternative and Complementary Medicine.

Thirty-six people with chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, or both
were asked to take 5 grams of D-ribose three times per day until the
bottle was gone, which took an average of 25 days. By the end of the
study, the people reported significant improvements in energy levels,
sleep patterns, mental clarity, pain intensity, and feelings of well-
being. The average energy increase was 45%, and about 66% of the
people said that they felt “somewhat better to much better” while
taking D-ribose.

These findings need to be confirmed in controlled studies in order to
rule out the possibility of a placebo effect. However, because there
are few effective therapies to help treat people with chronic fatigue
syndrome and fibromyalgia, D-ribose might be worth a try.

(J Altern Complement Med 2006;12:857–62)

Kimberly Beauchamp, ND, earned her bachelor’s degree from the
University of Rhode Island and her Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine
from Bastyr University in Kenmore, WA. She cofounded South County
Naturopaths in Wakefield, RI. Dr. Beauchamp practices as a birth doula
and lectures on topics including whole-foods nutrition,
detoxification, and women’s health.

Who loves ya.
Tom

Jesus Was A Vegetarian!
http://tinyurl.com/634q5a

Man Is A Herbivore!
http://tinyurl.com/4rq595

DEAD PEOPLE WALKING
http://tinyurl.com/zk9fk