Fibromyalgia can be treated with medicine, changes to your habits, and holistic methods. Herbs and supplements might help, but most of the study on them is old, limited, and doesn't show long-term effects.

Fibromyalgia is a long-term illness. Some of the symptoms are tiredness, brain fog, and pain all over the body.

Some parts of the bodies of people with this condition are often sensitive and hurt. Also, their muscles, tendons, and joints hurt all the time. Over time, this pain comes and goes.

No one knows for sure what causes fibromyalgia. It might have something to do with how the brain handles pain messages. Since there isn't a fix yet, the treatment is mostly about making the symptoms better.

Anyone can't just take one medicine and feel better. So, keep reading to learn more about possible natural cures.

Are supplements safe and effective for fibromyalgia?

There isn't a lot of study on whether or not herbs and supplements can help with fibromyalgia and be safe.

In 2020, experts put out a protocol calling for a thorough study of the research on herbs and supplements that have been used to treat fibromyalgia. They say it is the first study plan to look at how safe and effective herbs and supplements are at helping people with fibromyalgia.

Researchers wrote in a much older review from 2013 that it's not clear how medical plants and similar chemicals help with fibromyalgia. Their report says that it shows promise for rheumatoid conditions like chronic fibromyalgia, but they also say that more research is needed to find out if medicinal plants are safe and useful at treating or helping with the condition.

Researchers looked at how diet affects fibromyalgia in a 2018 study. Even though they didn't study supplements directly, they did say that getting enough nutrients and staying away from certain substances, like mercury, may help improve fibromyalgia symptoms. However, they say that more study is needed.

Though it's just a guess, this could mean that taking certain vitamins meant to help you get more nutrients might be helpful.

Panax ginseng

Panax ginseng is also called Asian ginseng, Korean ginseng, and Chinese ginseng.

It can be bought as a plant supplement. Dosage can be different for each product. A doctor or a close reading of the label can help you figure out what amount might work for you.

Researchers looked at how HRG80TM Red Ginseng affected people with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia in a study that was published in 2022. They said that the supplement helped with a number of symptoms that came with both diseases.

They noted specifically that it:

helped improve overall well-being

increased energy

improved mental clarity

Melatonin

Melatonin comes from the body. It is made in the brain in a gland called the pineal gland.

Additionally, melatonin is made in a lab and is sold as a supplement. People with FMS may benefit from this hormone because it helps to keep sleep cycles in check. People with this illness often have trouble sleeping and feel tired all the time.

A 2020 review of the evidenceFour studies were looked at by Trusted Source to see how melatonin could help people with fibromyalgia. They discovered that there were no bad effects (side effects) recorded, and all the studies that used melatonin found positive effects. They also said that more research is needed to find out if it is safe and if it helps with symptoms like sleep problems.

Melatonin might help you sleep better and feel less tired. Talk to your doctor or follow the directions on the bottle for how much to take.

Chlorella pyrenoidosa

The algae Chlorella pyrenoidosa is taken from watery sources. It has a lot of macronutrients, like protein, vitamins, and minerals. It can be bought as a supplement.

A study from 2001Based on a reliable source, taking chlorella supplements made the quality of life better for people with fibromyalgia because their symptoms got better generally. People in the study were given a tablet with 10 grams of pure chlorella and mL of a drink that contained chlorella extract every day for two to three months.

This is the most latest study on chlorella pyrenoidosa that can be found. It might be easier to tell if it is safe and useful for bigger groups of people in the future.

Acetyl L-carnitine (ALCAR)

ALCAR is an amino acid that the body makes on its own. Additionally, it is made in a lab and is sold as a vitamin.

A study from 2015According to a reliable source, ALCAR may help people with fibromyalgia feel less pain and sadness. Some people who took part in the study were given 1500 mg of ALCAR every day for 12 weeks. Some people were given the drug duloxetine (Cymbalta).

The symptoms got better in both groups, but the experts said that more research is needed.

Magnesium

A lot of different foods, like nuts, pumpkin seeds, dark chocolate, and spinach, contain the mineral magnesium. It can also be bought in pill form or as a solution to put on the skin.

A 2010 study from beforeA reliable source said that women who have fibromyalgia have less magnesium and other minerals in their bodies.

Based on these results, another study from 2021 tried to find out what happened when people with fibromyalgia put magnesium on their skin. For one month, people in the study had a 400 mg magnesium fluid sprayed on their arms and legs twice a day.

The data showed that the treatment worked, and the fibromyalgia symptoms got better overall.

Valerian root

Valerian root might help with the complaints of fibromyalgia. One study from 2017 says that a product from the root may help by working with a substance called brain-derived neurotrophic factor.

This might help protect against both pain and mental health problems like sadness that are common in people with fibromyalgia.

5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)

Several older studies have shown that 5-HTP may help with a number of fibromyalgia complaints, such as

muscle pain, stress, tiredness, and trouble sleeping

make serotonin better

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors were shown to help treat fibromyalgia in a study that came out in 2021. These drugs change the amount of serotonin in the brain.

Before taking 5-HTP, a person should talk to their doctor about whether or not it might help with their problems.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D may help protect against fibromyalgia in some ways. A 2017 meta-analysis says thatTrusted Source, experts say that giving vitamin D to people who are more likely to get the condition, like people who were born female, is a good way to keep them from getting it.

To fully understand how and if vitamin D will effectively avoid or help with fibromyalgia, however, more studies are needed that look at other factors, such as obesity.

Lesson Summary

Fibromyalgia, a long-term illness characterized by symptoms like tiredness, brain fog, and widespread body pain, can be managed through various treatment approaches, including medication, lifestyle adjustments, and holistic methods. While herbs and supplements could potentially offer relief, limited research has shown inconsistent long-term effects for those with fibromyalgia.

• Supplements study overview:
• In 2020, a new protocol called for an in-depth study of herbs and supplements' effectiveness in treating fibromyalgia.
• However, older reviews emphasize the need for more research to ascertain the safety and usefulness of medicinal plants in managing the condition.
• A study on diet and fibromyalgia in 2018 hinted at potential benefits from adequate nutrition and avoiding harmful substances like mercury.
• Specific Supplements:
• Panax Ginseng: Found beneficial for symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia in a 2022 study.
• Melatonin: Shown to have positive effects on sleep and tiredness in fibromyalgia, with more research needed for conclusive results.
• Chlorella Pyrenoidosa: Improved quality of life in fibromyalgia patients as per a 2001 study, further research may validate its benefits.
• Acetyl L-Carnitine (ALCAR): Demonstrated potential in reducing pain and sadness in fibromyalgia, needing more exploration.
• Magnesium: Studies have indicated a potential link between magnesium deficiency and fibromyalgia symptoms.
• Valerian Root: Might address pain and mental health issues common in fibromyalgia due to its impact on brain-derived neurotrophic factor.
• 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP): Older research suggests benefits for muscle pain, stress, tiredness, and sleep problems in fibromyalgia.
• Vitamin D: Linked to potential protection against fibromyalgia, especially in at-risk groups, according to a 2017 meta-analysis.