Abstract
Objectives: A preliminary, open label study was initiated to determine if oral wafers containing a combination of membrane glycerolphospholipids and controlled-release caffeine could reduce self-reported pain, fatigue, and gastrointestinal symptoms and improve quality of life (QOL) indicators in fibromyalgia patients. Methods: Pain, fatigue and other symptoms were determined using validated, patient survey forms completed over an 8-day test period and compared to baseline values. Participants included 21 patients (15 females and 6 males) of average age of 48.5 ± 9.8 years with a diagnosis of fibromyalgia. These patients consumed four daily chewable wafers containing glycerolphospholipids (4.8 g) and one controlled-released caffeine (184 mg) wafer that maintained caffeine levels at approximately one cup of coffee for over 8 h. Results: Participants in the study responded to the combination test supplement within days. By the end of the study there were significant overall improvements (36.1%, p p p p p < 0.001). Regression analysis of the data using a generalized mixed-effects model and calculating R2 values indicated that reductions in pain, fatigue and gastrointestinal symptoms and improvements in quality of life indicators were consistent, and occurred with a low degree of variance. Males responded slightly better to the combination supplement than females but for most parameters these differences were not significant. Conclusions: The combination membrane lipid replacement glycerolphospholipid supplement with controlled-release caffeine was safe and effective and significantly reduced pain, fatigue and gastrointestinal symptoms as well as improved QOL indicators in fibromyalgia patients.
Highlights
Fibromyalgia is characterized by chronic, widespread pain, abnormal processing of pain and increased sensitivity to external stimuli, along with fatigue, gastrointestinal symptoms and changes in memory, mood and sleep [1] [2] [3]
A preliminary, open label study was initiated to determine if oral wafers containing a combination of membrane glycerolphospholipids and controlled-release caffeine could reduce self-reported pain, fatigue, and gastrointestinal symptoms and improve quality of life (QOL) indicators in fibromyalgia patients
Damage to mitochondrial membranes occurs in various diseases, mainly by oxidation of phospholipid components, and this can result in ion leakage across inner mitochondrial membranes and reductions in the ability of mitochondria to produce high-energy molecules [10] [11]
Summary
Fibromyalgia is characterized by chronic, widespread pain, abnormal processing of pain and increased sensitivity to external stimuli, along with fatigue, gastrointestinal symptoms and changes in memory, mood and sleep [1] [2] [3]. In 2010 the American College of Rheumatology established diagnostic criteria for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia based on a pain index and symptom severity scale [2]. In the last few years natural supplements have been used to reduce symptoms in patients with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue and other chronic illnesses [5]; few if any of these natural supplements were considered effective [6]. Some symptoms, such as fatigue and pain, occur naturally during aging, and they are important secondary conditions in many chronic diseases [7]. ROS/RNS damage often occurs to cellular membranes, and in particular, to the glycerolphospholipids of mitochondrial membranes [11] [12] [13] [14]
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