Fibromyalgia sufferers may experience pain as a result of hypercoagulation (thickened blood) that can lead to poor circulation due to an excess buildup of fibrin.  Fibrin is a whitish, insoluble protein that makes up a blood clot when promoted by thrombin, a key clot promoter.

In otherwise healthy individuals, one burst of thrombin should generate enough fibrin to form an actual clot in the event of an injury.  However, those with fibromyalgia and other chronic conditions may continuously generate low thrombin levels that can result in hypercoagulation and pain as circulation slows.        

Reducing fibrin with the use of systemic enzyme therapy may be an alternative to taking blood thinning and pain relieving medications for those who do suffer from fibromyalgia.   

What is the role of fibrin in fibromyalgia?

Research from the late 1990s reveals that many patients with chronic disease may have an underlying coagulation defect contributing to their symptoms.  When tissues don’t receive sufficient blood, the cells are starved for oxygen and nutrients. Pain can result, as in headache or fibromyalgia.   

In the case of fibromyalgia, fibrin (a stiff protein) forms a meshwork, or screen that slows blood flow to the cells. This interferes with cell function and cell-to-cell communications leading to the accumulation of additional forms of protein debris. Therefore, the symptoms of fibromyalgia can respond well to treatments that are aimed at clearing protein debris. [1]   

Fibromyalgia sufferers may experience pain as a result of excess fibrin when promoted by thrombin, a key clot promoter.  In otherwise healthy individuals, one burst of thrombin should generate enough fibrin to form an actual clot in the event of an injury.  However, those with fibromyalgia and other chronic conditions may continuously generate low thrombin levels that can result in increased fibrin and pain as circulation slows.    

Reducing fibrin with the use of systemic enzyme therapy may be an alternative to taking blood thinning and pain relieving medications for those who do suffer from fibromyalgia.

How Vitalzym can help

Vitalzym can help relieve a variety of fibromyalgia related symptoms by addressing many of the underlying causes.

These symptoms include:

• Pain and Stiffness
• Fatigue
• Poor Circulation
• Digestive Troubles
• Irritable Bowel / Bladder

Vitalzym can also be a safer alternative to many prescription and over the counter pain relievers that may cause undesirable side effects, which is the last thing a fibromyalgia sufferer needs.

Vitalzym contains enzymes such as protease and serrapeptase, which are well-known for their proteolytic (excess protein clearing) properties. Proteolytic enzymes break down excess fibrin in your circulatory system and in other connective tissue, such as your muscles – helping to remove the meshwork that slows blood flow to the cells.   

If the rate of protein (fibrin) accumulation exceeds the rate of breakdown, the microcirculatory system gets clogged and flow decreases. This stagnation of protein debris promotes fibrosis in the muscles and other soft tissues. Combine this with slowed blood flow and the results are widespread pain and chronic fatigue.   

Vitalzym can help fibromyalgia sufferers by:   

• Acting as an anti-inflammatory agent
• Regulating the immune system
• Increasing circulation
• Reducing fibrosis
• Removing toxins and impurities in the blood
• Reducing viral loads

These enzymes also bring nutrients and oxygen-rich blood that remove the metabolic waste produced by inflammation and excess fibrin. This alone can bring tremendous relief to fibromyalgia sufferers.  

Additionally, researchers are beginning to believe that there is a strong autoimmune component connected to fibromyalgia syndrome. Interestingly enough, systemic enzyme therapy has an excellent track record regarding the treatment of various autoimmune diseases. In addition to reducing inflammation, regulating immunity, and reducing excess fibrin, serrapeptase has a profound ability to reduce pain due to its ability to block the release of pain-inducing amines from inflamed tissues.  

References

1. Hypercoagulation, Protein Accumulation, and Fibromyalgia; Keith Berndtson, M.D.; Illinois MultiMed

Up to 90% of those with fibromyalgia report moderate to severe fatigue. This type of fatigue isn’t just the usual run of the mill tiredness either.  It can last all of the time and for months on end, making it difficult for sufferers to work, take care of family, exercise, or even engage in simple daily tasks or chores.

While the majority of people with fibromyalgia experience extreme fatigue, some people seem to escape this symptom, and others find they are able to adjust to their newly reduced energy levels.  What is most discouraging is the fact that in some cases this fatigue never seems to get better, even with extended periods of rest and sleep.  This is most likely due to the variety of sleep disorders that those with fibromyalgia have, which creates a vicious cycle of pain and fatigue.

Causes of Fatigue

Many fibromyalgia sufferers have frequently reported that they become easily fatigued after mental exertion or physical exercise.  Additionally, many are unable to fall asleep, sleep very lightly, or are suddenly awaken from a very deep sleep.  The question is, could the lack of quality sleep be causing the fatigue, or is there another factor involved here?  Fortunately, new research is being conducted by doctors who specialize in fibromyalgia to find out. 

Common causes of fatigue:

• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS): The extreme fatigue that many fibromyalgia sufferers experience is very similar to that associated with CFS.  In fact, more than 75% of CFS sufferers have similar symptoms to those with fibromyalgia.  And, many people with fibromyalgia may actually have CFS, as well.  It can be difficult for doctors to distinguish between these two syndromes since they are very similar and are often confused with one another.
• Sleep Disorders:  Many fibromyalgia sufferers experience a variety of sleep disorders, including a problem with their ability to engage in deep sleep.  This is called the alpha EEG anomaly, which is a disorder characterized by sudden brain activity during periods of deep sleep.  These periods of activity may cause people to wake up or feel less rested, contributing to fatigue.
• Mitochondrial Dysfunction: A more recent explanation for the extreme fatigue that accompanies fibromyalgia focuses on a problem with the body’s energy source. Mitochondria inside our cells convert nutrients and oxygen into energy for our body.  A large number of fibromyalgia sufferers seem to have dysfunctional mitochondria, and thereby don’t have enough energy to power their bodies.

Fatigue and Pain

 Recent studies have shown that the amount of fatigue a fibromyalgia sufferer experiences directly correlates with the amount of pain they have.  For example, if you are feeling particularly tired one morning, you can pretty much count on having an increased amount of fibromyalgia pain during the day.

Fatigue and pain appears to work in a vicious cycle. Due to the severe pain many people experience, sleeping can become difficult, if not impossible.  Naturally, this contributes to fatigue, which, in turn, makes the pain much harder to bear.  

Fatigue also has a great impact on the psychological well being of those suffering from fibromyalgia. Fatigue heightens stress and emotions, which in turn increases the amount of pain that is experienced. Fatigue and depression have also been linked. Furthermore, fatigue may contribute to the memory loss and forgetfulness that often occurs with fibromyalgia.

Gender – Both women and men can be afflicted by fibromyalgia. Many experts believe it could be tied to hormone imbalances, including estrogen dominance. 

Age – Fibromyalgia is most common in people between 20 and 55 years old; however, it can occur in people of all age groups. Women typically develop it during their childbearing years.

Stress – People coming from stressful environments or who are particularly vulnerable to stress (either physiological or psychological) are believed to develop fibromyalgia more frequently that those who experience less stress.  High levels of stress can trigger flare-ups.

Sleep Disorders – Many fibromyalgia sufferers have a long history of sleep problems.  Some experts claim that sleep disorders could be a root cause of fibromyalgia, such as sleep apnea.

Genetics – Research has shown that women closely related to a fibromyalgia sufferer are more likely to develop this condition themselves indicating a genetic predisposition. 

Other chronic-pain conditions – People with lupus, osteoarthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis (a type of arthritis) are at increased risk for developing fibromyalgia, possibly because their chronic pain causes sensitization of the central nervous system, which is believed to be the cause of fibromyalgia related pain. 

What many people don’t realize is that these symptoms can be directly or indirectly associated with fibromyalgia.  If you suffer from these symptoms, you may have fibromyalgia and not be aware of it.  

 18 Points of Tenderness 

Painful tender points are located at various places on your body and are a common characteristic of fibromyalgia syndrome leading to a diagnosis. Your health care provider will ask about your pain symptoms and then press on a series of anatomically-defined soft tissue body sites called “tender points.”  Eleven of the 18 tender point sites must be painful when pressed in order to receive a medical diagnosis of fibromyalgia.

While any body part can be affected, the most common sites of pain include:

• Neck and Back
• Shoulders and Chest
• Hips and Knees
• Hands and Elbow Regions
• Buttocks and Pelvic Girdle

Pledge to Care

 Energetic Nutrition is a member of the National Fibromyalgia Association. See their website for great information and the opportunity to Pledge to Care:

• Fibromyalgia Information
• Support and Resources
• Magazine
• Community Events

You can also visit our fibromyalgia website page for more information regarding resource links and suggested further reading.  

Dietary Supplements to the Rescue

Even if you are not diagnosed with fibromyalgia, but suffer from the various associated symptoms, you may find relief from natural dietary supplements. Please review this chart, which includes a list of symptoms along with natural dietary supplements that can help provide relief for a variety of symptoms associated with this condition.  Even if you have not been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, yet suffer from any of the symptoms listed, you may benefit from one or more of the products listed. 

Read more about natural supplements for fibromyalgia on our Fibromyalgia website: 

Need help choosing which products are right for you?  We have a nutritionist on staff to help you. See our Contact Us page to contact our nutritionist by telephone, email, or live chat.