Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) affects millions worldwide, particularly women. This chronic condition causes widespread pain and various systemic symptoms. New research reveals a fascinating connection between cellular energy production and pain severity.
The Mitochondrial Connection
Recent studies examined mitochondrial function in patients with fibromyalgia. Researchers compared 50 FMS patients with 20 healthy individuals. They focused on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to measure cellular energy production.
Although no significant differences were observed in basal mitochondrial respiration, patients with FMS exhibited a significantly lower median bioenergetic health index (BHI), indicating impaired mitochondrial function. Furthermore, a correlation was established between BHI and the Fibromyalgia Severity Score (FSS), suggesting that mitochondrial dysfunction may be linked to the severity of symptoms.
Implications for Long COVID
These findings raise intriguing questions about the potential relevance of mitochondrial dysfunction in other conditions characterized by similar symptoms, such as long COVID. Both long COVID and FMS share symptoms such as fatigue, cognitive impairment, and widespread pain, all of which are associated with mitochondrial impairment.
The study’s methodology, which involved analyzing PBMCs as a less invasive alternative to muscle biopsies for assessing mitochondrial function, could also be applied to long COVID patients. If mitochondrial dysfunction is a common factor in both conditions, it may open new avenues for treatment strategies targeting mitochondrial health.
Treatment Solutions
Modern approaches to treating FMS and long COVID focus on cellular regeneration. These innovative therapies target mitochondrial function to address symptoms at their source:
- EBO2 (Extracorporeal Blood Oxygenation & Ozonation): This treatment filters and oxygenates your blood while working to reduce inflammatory markers. This process helps:
- Boost mitochondrial function
- Reduce inflammation
- Enhance cellular energy production
- Improve oxygen utilization
- Remove cellular waste and toxins
- Photoactivated NAD⁺ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide): NAD⁺ plays a crucial role in cellular energy production. Photoactivated NAD⁺ therapy:
- Increases cellular energy levels
- Supports mitochondrial repair
- Enhances cognitive function
- Reduces fatigue
- Improves cellular resilience
- Photoactivated Methylene Blue: Methylene Blue can increase ATP production by stimulating a portion of the electron transport chain. Methylene Blue increases mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, leading to improved energy production.
- Increase cellular energy currency
- Supports mitochondrial health
- Fights oxidative stress
- Boosts cognitive function
Research continues to deepen our understanding of fibromyalgia’s cellular mechanisms, suggesting similar pathways may drive long COVID symptoms. These insights into mitochondrial health offer promising therapeutic directions, with treatments like EBO2 and photoactivated NAD⁺ therapy showing significant potential in addressing these complex conditions.
-Dr. P