David S Silver and Lynette Gebler
Fibromyalgia treatment has been a conundrum for clinicians and patients for decades. Understanding of the mechanisms of disease has been limited, and this has led to less than satisfactory options for therapies. Diminished levels of neurotransmitters that are involved in inhibition of pain signals may help to partially explain the symptoms associated with Fibromyalgia. Decreased concentrations of the amino acid precursors to these neurotransmitters suggest that a nutritional deficiency exists and provides potential nutritionally mediated therapeutic targets. Studies have also demonstrated increased oxidative stress and lower antioxidant levels in fibromyalgia patients. Further understanding of the causes of these deficiencies, be it malabsorption, increased turnover or impaired conversion will help to better define nutritionally based treatments.
