CLINICAL TRIALS-FIBROMYALGIA
Summary- In 15 patients treated over 28 weeks with an oral dose of 1,200-2,400 mg. of malate and 300-600 mg. of magnesium daily, the tender point index scores were 19.6 prior to treatment and 8.0 and 6.5 respectively, after an average of 4 and 8 weeks of magnesium malate combination.
"Management of Fibromyalgia:Rationale for the Use of Magnesium and Malic Acid "Abraham GE and Flechas JD, J Nutr Med, 1992;3:49-49.
Summary: This study evaluated 47 patients with primary fibromyalgia who received 200 mg. of intramuscular SAMe every day plus SAMe 400 mg. orally twice daily for 6 weeks. SAMe significantly reduced tenderness and mean scores for depression and anxiety. Then authors believe that SAMe's benefit in primary fibromylagia has to do with the antidepressant action and its antiinflammatory and analgesic effects.
Summary: This study evaluated plasma tryptophan and its transport ratio in 29 patients with primary fibromyalgia and 30 controls without significant pain. It was found that the tryptophan ratio was significantly decreased in primary fibromyalgia compared to the control group. Plasma tryptophan levels were lower in the fibromylagia than in controls. This data suggests that a decreased brain serotonin level, as possibly reflected in a decreased transport ratio of plasma tryptophan, may play a pathophysiological role in primary fibromyalgia.
"Plasma Tryptophan and Other Amino Acids in Primary Fibromyalgia: A Controlled Study", Yunus, Muhammad B., et al , Journal of Rheumatology 1992;19:1:90-94.
CLINICAL TRIALS-MIGRAINE, FEVERFEW
Summary: Feverfew was first popularized in 1985, and then 3 years later in another study which showed some benefit for migraine headaches. In Canada feverfew is considered a drug rather than a nutritional supplement, and requires the product to be standardized at .2% parthenolide, which is thought to be the primary active compound. Commercial preparations contain between 100 and 300 mg. of feverfew per capsule, and manufacturers recommend 1 to 6 doses per day. It may take up to 1 month to see any benefit from feverfew. Feverfew should not be taken by pregnant women.
"Feverfew for Migraine," Walsh N, Family Practice News, October 1, 2001:9.
Summary: Magnesium deficiency has been associated with migraine headaches, and magnesium therapy 600 mg./day as oral magnesium (trimagnesium citrate) or placebo for 12 weeks showed a 41.6% reduction in migraine headaches in the magnesium group compared with 15.8% in the placebo group. Four hundred mg/day of riboflavin , also known as vitamin B2, or placebo over a 3 month period showed at least 59% of the riboflavin group improved at least 50 % compared with 15% of the placebo group.
"Role of Magnesium, Coenzyme Q10, Riboflavin, and B12 in Migraine Prophylaxis," Bianchi A, Salomone S et al, Vitamins and Hormones, 2004;69:297-312. Dr. Alfredo Bianchi Dept Pharmaceutical Science, University of Salerno, Fisciano Italy)
PAIN
D-Phenylalanine
Supplementation may be effective for chronic pain, even when standard medications have provided limited or no relief.
Experimental Study: 43 pts. (most with osteoarthritis) were supplemented with DPA 250 mg. 3-4 times daily for 4-5 weeks. Significant pain relief was achieved in the last 2 weeks. The effectiveness of DPA increased with decreasing severity of pain.
Bagalot RC et al. Analgesia in mice and humans by D-phenylalanine. Adv Pain Research 5;289-92,1983).
CLINICAL OBSERVATION: I used a combination product containing bromelain, magnesium salicytate and cofactors with around 50 elderly Mexican patients in the Rio Grande Valley. All reported good to excellent relief for back pain.
CLINICAL OBSERVATION: I used a cream containing capsicum, boswellia, and salicytate. About 75 elderly Mexicans reported good to excellent results for arthritic pain with this product.
ARTHRITIS "Alternative Therapies for Arthritis Treatment," Robert D, Orthopedic Nursing, November/December 2003;22(5):335-342.
Treatment for chronic disease accounts for 85% of the annual healthcare costs in the U.S. One of the largest groups of individuals suffering from chronic disease is those with arthritis. Conventional therapies have done little to alleviate the symptoms of the disease or improve the quality of life, which increases the willingness of some to experiment with alternative therapies. Boswellia has shown benefit in arthritis as a standardized extract at a typical dose of 150 mg., 3 times daily for 2-3 months. It has been used in combination with ginger, turmeric and ashwaganda and proved beneficial for inflammation and pain associated with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties and is a potent analgesic due to its inhibition of prostaglandin and leukotriene production. Ginger root can be applied to painful joints. Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties due to its inhibition of prostaglandin production and stimulation of cortisol production. The usual dose of turmeric is 400 mg. in capsules used 3 times daily. Creams containing .025%-.075% capsaicin have been sold over the counter. They can be applied to the inflamed area, but it should be realized that the results are only temporary. Cat's claw has been widely used in South America for the treatment of inflammation and arthritic pain. Stinging nettle is widely used in Europe for pain and inflammation. Devil's claw, another herb, contain s harpagoside, which has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. SAMe is found in all living cells and contributes to the production of proteoglycans for cartilage repair. The results of Glucosimine and chondroitin have been well documented clinically, Both DMSO, a liquid topical, and MSM which is synthesized from DMSO have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties.
ARTICLE: Supplementation with MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane(MSM) May Benefit Individuals With Knee Osteoarthritis Pain-
"Efficacy of MSM in osteoarthritis pain of the knee: a pilot clinical trial," Kim LS, Axelrod LJ, et al, Osteoarthritis Cartilage, 2006;14(3):26-94.
In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot involving 50 individuals (40-76 years of age) with knee osteoarthritis pain, short-term supplementation with MSM, a dietary supplement, improved symptoms of pain and physical function without any major adverse effects. The subjects were randomized to 3 g of MSM twice daily (a total of 6 Grams daily) for 12 weeks.