Fibroceutical

Fibroceutical, a term which combines the words “fibromyalgia” and “nutraceutical”, is a food or food product that provides health and medical benefits to people suffering from Fibromyalgia and/or other Fibromyalgia-like syndromes. The term Fibroceutical was originally defined by Dr. Stephen H. MacDonald. He was one of the first advocates for utilizing clinically based evidence and therapeutic dosing in nutraceutical formulations designed specifically to minimize the myriad of symptom complaints seen in Fibromyalgia patients.
What is a nutraceutical?
Nutraceutical, a term combining the words “nutrition” and “pharmaceutical”, is a food or food product that provides health and medical benefits, including the prevention and treatment of disease. Such products may range from isolated nutrients, dietary supplements and specific diets to genetically engineered foods, herbal products, and processed foods such as cereals, soups, and beverages. With recent breakthroughs in cellular-level nutraceutical agents, researchers, and medical practitioners are developing templates for integrating and assessing information from clinical studies on complimentary and alternative therapies into responsible medical practice.
What is Fibromyalgia?
Fibro- is Latin for fibrous tissues, myo- means muscle in Greek, and algos- is Greek for pain. Thus, Fibromyalgia means muscle and connective tissue pain. Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) is not a disease but rather a syndrome consisting of a collection of signs and symptoms known to commonly appear together with no known cause. In contrast, a disease has a clearly defined cause associated with it. In other words, there is a defined group of symptoms and consistent changes in anatomy due to the condition. Unfortunately, there is no known simple cause resulting in the symptoms of Fibromyalgia. These symptoms typically vary greatly from one patient to another and can also very greatly even in the same patient. Because of the mysterious nature of Fibromyalgia, many people, including medical professionals, still question the existence of this syndrome. However, the pain is VERY real indeed and there is scientific evidence that the condition truly exists.
Fibromyalgia is characterized by widespread and generalized pain. Pain is felt on both the right and left side of the body as well as both above and below the waist for a duration of 3 or more months. It does not, however, cause inflammation or damage to the joints, muscles or other tissues of the body. This pain can be in the muscles, ligaments, tendons, or it may be generalized in nature. It can be described as deep-aching, persistent, stabbing, throbbing, radiating, gnawing, shooting, tingling and/or burning. It also tends to migrate throughout the body, vary in intensity, and can be made worse or better by stress, weather changes, physical activity, or anxiety. Pain is also felt in at least 11 of 18 tender points which is required for the medical diagnosis of Fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia can be a primary syndrome or it can be a secondary condition brought on by trauma, surgery, or diseases such as Systemic Lupus Erythematosis (SLE), Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Ankylosing Spondylitis, Lyme Disease, Hepatitis C infection, Endometriosis, and others. Fibromyalgia is not a progressive disorder, however, it can certainly be perceived that way as the general health of the patient deteriorates over time due to deconditioning. Fibromyalgia commonly causes disability but it does not result directly in the death of these patients.
Fibromyalgia statistics
The prevalence of patients diagnosed with Fibromyalgia is significant with approximately 5 million Americans suffering from Fibromyalgia. As such, one in 60 Americans, or nearly 2% of the general US population suffers from this disorder. Fibromyalgia is the second most common musculoskeletal ailment, after osteoarthritis. 90% of Fibromyalgia patients are female with Fibromyalgia being 7 times more common in women than in men. Fibromyalgia most commonly affects women in their childbearing years but men and women of all ages can get Fibromyalgia. Those individuals with a family member with Fibromyalgia are more likely to develop Fibromyalgia themselves. It takes 5 years on average to get an accurate diagnosis of Fibromyalgia. Also, in 25-65% of cases, Fibromyalgia occurs along with other rheumatic diseases such as Systemic Lupus Erythematosis (SLE) and Rheumatoid Arthritis.
What are other related conditions or Fibromyalgia-like syndromes?
Chronic Myofascial Pain Syndrome - pain of this type usually begins in specific areas of the body known as Myofascial Trigger Points which develop throughout the body where the fascia (described as being like a web that surrounds the bones, tissues, organs, and blood vessels) comes in contact with a muscle. These trigger points are areas of extreme tenderness, and sensitivity that form in bands of muscle underneath your skin. They differ from the tender points found in fibromyalgia in that trigger points can be felt beneath the skin causing pain and muscle twitching. Of note, Fibromyalgia can cause myofascial trigger points to form.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) - is a complicated disorder characterized by extreme fatigue that may worsen with physical or mental activity, but doesn't improve with rest. Although there are many theories about what causes this condition - ranging from viral infections to psychological stress - in most cases the cause is still unknown. Although an underlying cause often isn't found, effective treatments for the signs and symptoms of CFS are available. Many people recover from chronic fatigue syndrome over time.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) - characterized by hypersensitivity to muscle contractions in the large intestine causing diarrhea and/or constipation, bloating, abdominal pain or cramping, nausea, flatulence, and more. An estimated 70% of fibromyalgia patients also suffer from IBS.
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndromes (MCS) - characterized by hypersensitivity to chemicals and/or smells. It can also cause sensitivity to loud noises, temperature, and lights. MCS can cause a variety of symptoms including rhinitis, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, and migraine headaches. Fibromyalgia patients are at higher risk of MCS than the normal population. One study found that 50% of fibromyalgia patients experience increased sensitivity to odors, noise, bright lights, or certain foods.
Temperomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ) - a disorder of the temperomandibular joint (jaw bone). It also attacks the muscles and cartilage throughout the face and neck causing popping or clicking (especially when chewing), severe pain, headaches, locked jaw, and more. It is believed that up to 90% of fibromyalgia patients suffer from TMJ symptoms.
Hypoglycemia - this condition can be triggered or worsened by fibromyalgia and is called fibroglycemia. As many as 40% of women and 20% of men with fibromyalgia suffer from this low blood sugar condition. When present it can cause extreme sugar cravings, tremors, heart palpitations, sweat, anxiety, panic attacks, faintness, and frontal headaches.
Nutraceutical market and demand
The modern nutraceutical market began to develop in Japan during the 1980s. The nutraceutical industry has grown alongside the expansion and exploration of modern technology in contrast to the natural herbs and spices used as folk medicine for centuries throughout Asia,. There is growing evidence that other components of food may play an integral role in the link between food and health. These chemical components are derived from plant, food, and microbial sources, and provide medicinal benefits valuable to long-term health. Examples of these nutraceutical chemicals include probiotics, antioxidants, and phytochemicals. Nutraceutical products were considered alternative medicine for many years, however, they have become a more mainstream supplement to the diet, now that research has begun to show evidence that these chemicals found in food are often beneficial when processed effectively and marketed correctly.
Nutraceuticals is a broad umbrella term used to describe any product derived from food sources that provides extra health benefits in addition to the basic nutritional value found in foods. There are multiple different types of products that fall under the category of nutraceuticals. Many botanical and herbal extracts such as ginseng, garlic oil, etc. have been developed as nutraceuticals. Nutraceuticals are often used in nutrient premixes or nutrient systems in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
Dietary supplements
A dietary supplement is a product that contains nutrients derived from food products. These products are typically concentrated in liquid or capsule form. “A dietary supplement is a product taken by mouth that contains a "dietary ingredient" intended to supplement the diet. The "dietary ingredients" in these products may include: vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, and substances such as enzymes, organ tissues, glandulars, and metabolites. Dietary supplements can also be extracts or concentrates, and may be found in many forms such as tablets, capsules, softgels, gelcaps, liquids, or powders.”
Medicinal foods
Medicinal foods aren’t available as an over-the-counter product to consumers. Nutraceuticals and supplements do not meet these requirements and are not classified as Medical Foods.
References
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