Low ATP Energy Levels in Fibromyalgia

In this study energy stores were 80% higher in healthy vs. CFS patients. ATP is how your body makes and stores energy. Platelet ATP levels were measured, and were ~ 80% higher in healthy controls than in fibromyalgia patients.

The good news is that energy production can be dramatically increased naturally. In fact, the entire "SHINE Protocol" is geared toward increasing energy production. Here is my "nutritional cocktail" for markedly improving energy production (and how you feel). Give this program 6 weeks to work—you'll be glad you did!

Energy Recipe

1. Ribose—This powder that looks and tastes like sugar is a key to energy production in the body—including the heart. I recommend 1 scoop (5 gms) 3 times a day for 6 weeks, then twice a day. This nutrient is outstanding for energy and heart disease and is the most important one. You will likely be amazed after 6 weeks on it! For a detailed discussion on Ribose, see "D-Ribose—A Very Powerful and Natural Body Energizer."
2. Coenzyme Q10. Take 200-400 mg/day (I would do 400 mg/day for 6 weeks then 200 mg/day). This nutrient is especially critical for anyone on cholesterol lowering medications, as these medications cause Coenzyme Q10 deficiency, and this nutrient is critical for energy production.
3. Magnesium 200 mg/day and a B-complex. I would get this plus over 40 other key nutrients easily by taking a good multivitamin powder. I recommend that people take the dose that feels the best up to 1 scoop a day. This product is outstanding for overall well being. I would consider adding an extra 200 mg of magnesium at bedtime (caution—in the rare patient with kidney failure, magnesium and many other nutrients should only be taken under a licensed holistic health practitioner's supervision. Magnesium can also cause loose stools). Magnesium not only increases your heart muscles strength, but also markedly decreases the tendency to abnormal heart rhythms. I recommend almost everyone be on this powder, as it is made to supply outstanding overall nutritional support. After several months on the powder, as you "fill your tank" nutritionally, you may find that a lower dose of the powder feels best.
4. Acetyl-L-Carnitine 500 mg 2x day for 6 weeks, then 500 mg/day is enough (and it can often simply be stopped). For more information, see "Acetyl-L-Carnitine for CFS and Fibromyalgia."

Give these nutrients 6 weeks to see the optimal effects. The benefits are often dramatic!

References

ATP, calcium and magnesium levels in platelets of patients with primary fibromyalgia. Laura Bazzichi, Gino Giannaccini, Laura Betti, et al. Clin Biochem, July 2, 2008.