Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Same Symptoms, Same Remedy?

Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) are, in most cases, a little more than a vitamin and mineral deficiency, as well as an overutilization of sugars and processed foods.

Refined sugars and carbohydrates deplete the B complex vitamin stores in our body. In order to metabolize sugar and refined carbohydrates for energy (in the form of adenosine triphosphate or ATP), the body requires B complex vitamins and amino acids. Think of ATP as the fuel that runs the body, much like gasoline that runs your car, going through our body’s engine, which is called aerobic cellular respiration, otherwise known as the Krebs or citric acid cycle. 

Our bodies require B complex vitamins and various minerals to make the Krebs cycle function; all of these are lacking in typical American diets. Certain nutrients, more specifically B1, thymine, and the mineral magnesium, are depleted in our bodies as a result of the consumption of pharmaceutical medications and processed foods. These deficiencies block the absorption of pyruvic acid (a key component that provides energy for cells) into the Krebs cycle. This causes a buildup of lactic acid in our muscle’s tissues, leading to chronic muscle soreness, otherwise known as fibromyalgia.

To comprehend CFS caused by vitamins and mineral deficiencies, let’s look again at the conversion of glucose to ATP through the Krebs cycle. The various nutrients necessary for making the Krebs cycle function are as follows: thiamine (B-1), riboflavin (B-2), niacinamide (B-3), manganese, magnesium, and phosphorus, to name a few.

A molecule of glucose that has been completely utilized through the Krebs cycle yields 36 molecules of ATP energy; a molecule of glucose not completely utilized through the Krebs cycle yields only 6 molecules of ATP. It’s no wonder we run out of energy so quickly. Compare it to the situation of trying to heat the home fireplace using nothing but paper for kindling; it’d burn up rapidly and only produce a little heat, then it’s gone. To combat this issue, you must provide your body with the necessary components to receive the maximum efficiency of the Krebs cycle.

As previously mentioned, B complex vitamins are seriously lacking in our daily nutrition. Usually found highest in raw liver, nutritional yeast (the germ), and the bran portions of uncooked and sprouted grains, which are foods not commonly found in Western diets, thus our need for proper supplementation—proper supplementation meaning whole food supplements. Not the high dosages of synthetic B vitamin produced by laboratories, which will exacerbate an already existing B complex deficiency. Eliminating processed foods, which account for approximately 90% of most American diets, would help support the Krebs cycle. Especially the withdrawal from bread, which robs the body of B vitamins and are high in the pro-inflammatory substance known as gluten. Following this advice helps support a strong and efficient Krebs cycle, which results in an overall boost of energy and a decrease in inflammation.

TLDR: Fibromyalgia can be aggravated by a weak Krebs cycle because it results in lactate acid buildup, pyruvate acid overload and adrenal fatigue. To treat, you should first detox the liver, control sugar intake, then load up on thiamine aka cataplex B vitamins.