Vitamins and other nutrients play a significant role in helping to manage health issues, including fibromyalgia.
But what nutrients and chemicals can we use to help us out? What role do they play?
In this article, we’ll examine two supplements—glucosamine and chondroitin — that may help our bodies better manage the symptoms and issues related to fibromyalgia.
What is Glucosamine, and What is it Used for?
Glucosamine is actually found naturally in your body. It’s a mixture of amino acids and sugar that your body uses.
When it is together in your body, it helps your joints stay flexible and assists you in your motion.
As you age or have a health issue, you produce less of this vital chemical, which means that your joints will deteriorate more quickly, and you will struggle with your range of motion.
That’s why they developed it into a supplement for those lacking enough.
Glucosamine can be found nationwide, especially if you’re looking at stores specializing in natural remedies and supplements.
It has been used by many people who are struggling with the symptoms of arthritis, including joint pain and inflammation.
Because of that, more and more doctors have recommended it for those symptoms.
Joint pain is a huge problem for people of all ages, and because of that, we need to do everything we can to reduce the possibility of injury and further irritation.
What is Chondroitin, and What is it Used for?
If you know how mechanics work, you likely know that certain areas of the machine need to be lubricated to work. The lubrication can be pretty much anything, but it’s usually oil or something else that has a lot of liquid in it.
The lubrication allows it to move more freely and prevents it from getting stuck or seized (or at least lessens the chance of that happening for at least a while after it’s been lubricated).
That’s the exact role that Chondroitin plays in our bodies. Like glucosamine, chondroitin is naturally created by the body. What it does is that it makes it so that the joints in your body are lubricated.
It allows the cartilage to move more freely and helps prevent joints from getting locked up and jammed. It also helps produce water in the cartilage and joints, which helps with lubrication.
That means you’ll feel less stiff. If your body is not producing enough chondroitin, you’ll feel stiff and have difficulty moving around.
As with glucosamine, chondroitin is also sold in supplement form. It can help increase the amount that your body produces, thus improving your range of motion and giving you some extra flexibility. It’s usually used with older adults.
How Can These Help with Fibromyalgia Symptom Management?
So, of course, this brings up the big question. What does this do for those of us who are dealing with the symptoms of fibromyalgia? How can these particular supplements help us to live a normal life?
Here are some of the main ways that these supplements can assist in your fibromyalgia treatment program.
One of the most common issues with fibromyalgia is that your joints become stiff and won’t move very well. Because of this, it’s important that you take supplements that can help your body be more flexible.
By taking these supplements, you can move around more quickly and be better able to exercise, which can help you with flexibility and keep your weight down, thus reducing the amount of pain that you’re feeling.
Another common issue that often goes hand in hand with fibromyalgia is rheumatoid arthritis. This type of arthritis attacks your joints and makes it harder for you to move around.
By ensuring you are getting these supplements, you may be able to slow down the progression of your RA and find it easier to move around and perform your daily living tasks.
Inflammation in the joints can make things difficult, and RA does not always cause it. It may be caused by other issues in your nervous system, or you may have other difficulties that make every joint in your body struggle with motion.
Either way, you need to control the inflammation; the best way is by taking supplements. You must also exercise and do other things to ensure you’re ready to move around.
When your joints have trouble moving, you’re more likely to feel fatigued. Fatigue is already an issue with fibromyalgia, so doing things to improve your movement will also make it so that you feel more energetic during the day – which can help with other aspects of the disorder as well.
Before you add any supplements to your treatment plan or start a diet or exercise regimen, you want to ensure you get the all-clear from your specialist.
If they don’t know about your changes and an issue arises, they won’t be able to diagnose what is going on as easily as they could if they had an idea of what you were taking.
So, make sure that you talk to them and see if they think that Glucosamine and Chondroitin could be helpful for your specific treatment plan.
References:
Glucosamine and Chondroitin as an Alternative Fibromyalgia Treatment
http://www.energeticnutrition.com/source_naturals/Glucosamine-Chondroitin-MSM.html