CoQ10 Helps Reduce FM Pain Per Study
Dr. M. Cordera has done multiple studies of CoQ10, showing its benefits in helping mitochondrial function for fibromyalgia (FM). Now a newly published study of 20 FM patient s further demonstrates that 300 mg of CoQ10 daily improves several clinical markers in as little as 40 days. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study examined gene expression and symptomatic changes. Reductions in pain, fatigue, morning stiffness and tender points were reported. Recovery of AMPK expression, improvement of antioxidant enzymes and the ability of mitochondria to regenerate were other positive findings. Notably, one of the AMPK enzyme functions is to instruct mitochondria to switch from using energy to producing energy. Cordera continues to recommend CoQ10 – and now mitochondria as target molecules – as part of effective therapy for FM. Source: Antioxid Redox Signal 3/13
ATP Found Lower in FMS Muscles
An energy crunch is known in FM and an interesting study from Sweden looked at the muscles of FM subjects, comparing them to healthy controls. Researchers wanted to know if ATP content would correlate with measures of physical capacity and pain. ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is an organic compound that stores large amount of energy. When broken down, this energy is used for metabolic processes in the body, hence its name as the "universal energy currency". ATP is produced within the mitochondria. One regulator of ATP levels in the cell is AMPK (see previous CoQ10 paragraph).
On physical testing, FM subjects had significantly lower hand and leg capacity which correlated positively to ATP levels (the lower the ATP, the lower the muscle capacity). No positive correlation was found to pain scores. The muscle fat content of FM arms was significantly higher although there was no difference between the groups in body mass index. The researchers concluded that "alterations in intramuscular ATP probably reflect a combination of inactivity related to pain and dysfunction of muscle mitochondria". Source: Euro J Pain 1/13.
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