Nutritional Supplementation withChlorella pyrenoidosa for patients with fibromyalgia syndrome: a pilot study

Abstract

Fibromyalgia syndrome is a common, chronic musculoskeletal disorder of unknown aetiology. While available therapy is often disappointing, most patients can be helped with a combination of medication, exercise and maintenance of a regular sleep schedule. The objective of the present study was to determine if adding nutritional supplements derived from the unicellular green alga, Chlorella pyrenoidosa, produced any improvements in the clinical and functional status in patients with moderately severe symptoms of fibromyalgia syndrome. Eligible patients had 2+ palpable tenderness at 11 or more of 18 defined tender points and had a tender point index (TPI) of at least 22. Each day for 2 months, participants consumed two commercially available Chlorella-based products, 10 g of 'Sun Chlorella' tablets and 100 mL of liquid 'Wakasa Gold'. Any amelioration of symptoms was validated and quantified using semi-objective and subjective outcome measures systematically administered at clinic visits on days 0, 30 and 60 of the diet therapy. Eighteen of the 20 patients enrolled completed the 2 month trial. The average TPI for the group which at onset was 32, decreased to a mean of 25 after 2 months. This decrease was statistically significant (p = 0.01), representing a 22% decrease in pain intensity. Blood samples taken on each occasion indicated no significant alterations in serum chemistries, formed elements, and circulating lymphocyte subsets. Compilations of the results of patient interviews and self-assessment questionnaires revealed that seven patients felt that the dietary supplement had improved their fibromyalgia symptoms, while six thought they had experienced no change, and five believed the symptoms had worsened over the time of the trial. The results of this pilot study suggest that dietary Chlorella supplementation may help relieve the symptoms of fibromyalgia in some patients and that a larger, more comprehensive double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in these patients is warranted.

A systematic review and meta‐analysis of nutrition interventions for chronic noncancer pain

“…After the removal of duplicates, a total of 7080 studies was identified in the search. Following full‐text screening, 71 studies were identified for inclusion, with 23 eligible for meta‐analysis. The abstracts for the majority of the papers were not sufficiently detailed to determine whether the full text should be retrieved.…”

“…Characteristics of the included studies are reported in Table . Approximately 30% ( n = 21) of the studies were conducted in the USA , with five undertaken in Australia , four conducted in each of Germany , Japan and Spain , and three conducted in each of Denmark , Finland , Sweden , Iran and the Netherlands . Of the included studies, 47 were randomised controlled trials (RCT) , eight were nonrandomised trials , nine were pre–post studies , six were randomised cross‐over trials and one a longitudinal study .…”

“…Assessment of study quality rated 31 studies as of positive quality , 36 as neutral and four studies were classified as being of negative study quality . Of the 33 studies classified as neutral, information regarding the randomisation process ( n = 29) or the intervention description ( n = 13) was lacking.…”

“…The most common pain‐related condition experienced by study participants was rheumatoid arthritis ( n = 19 studies) , followed by osteoarthritis ( n = 16) and fibromyalgia ( n = 13) , migraine and chronic pain ( n = 4), joint pain , back pain , diabetic neuropathy ( n = 3), chronic pancreatitis , irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) , neuropathy and headache ( n = 1). Two studies had participants with two pain‐related conditions: rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia and IBS .…”

Self‐Assembly of Hybrid Dendrons with Complex Primary Structure Into Functional Helical Pores

“…Chlorella vulgaris (CV) is a unicellular and microscopic algae used in a variety of forms of tablets, capsules, and liquids as a biological response modifier 1. Previous studies reported that CV and its extracts exert various benefits such as enhancing the immune function,2, 3 relieving hypertension,4 regulating lipid metabolism or tumors,5 providing antibacterial effects,6 promoting dioxin excretion,7 and normalizing the body functions of those with certain illnesses, specifically the chronic illnesses of fibromyalgia and ulcerative colitis 8. In addition, oral administration of CV culture supernatant has been shown to prevent the significant apoptosis of thymocytes in mice undergoing stress in a communication box 9.…”