Download mangosteen fibromyalgia - Healthy Life In A Natural Way

MANGOSTEEN
AND
FIBROMYALGIA
J. Frederic Templeman, M.D.
Fibromyalgia is a condition characterized by musculoskeletal pain which is
widespread (meaning pain on both sides of the body above and below the waist),
and chronic (lasting months or years). The pain is accompanied by fatigue (with
or without disturbed sleep), and tender points in the muscles, as I will describe
later.
However, the true impact of fibromyalgia upon it victims is far greater than simply the
unrelenting pain and the utter exhaustion described in medical texts simply as “fatigue.”
Anxiety and depression are almost universal findings in patients, as well. Chronic fatigue
syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, headaches and panic disorder frequently co-exist with
fibromyalgia.
80% of patients are women, generally between 30 and 50 years old. Reports vary on how
prevalent the disease is, however, 6,000,000 sufferers in the US appears to be an accurate
figure and the number of patients continues to climb at an alarming rate.
While some medical experts feel that they can trace the disease back to the 17th century under
a variety of names, most believe that the disease is a new entity that has emerged only in the
last four decades of the 20th century.
Cause
The cause of fibromyalgia remains unknown although precipitating factors include:
•
Chronic fatigue syndrome
•
•
•
•
•
•
Flu-like viral illnesses
HIV infection
Physical trauma such as that caused by motor vehicle accidents
Psychological shock or emotional trauma
Bacterial infections such as Lyme disease
Medications (steroid us particularly)
In my own experience, viral infections appear to be the most common precipitants and the only
ones from the list that can reasonably account for the observed spread of the disease that now
resembles an epidemic. The lack of a clear cause for fibromyalgia persists despite exhaustive
research into the disease in the past ten years.
DIAGNOSIS
The American College of Rheumatology proposed diagnostic criteria in 1990 that required
widespread pain of at least three months duration in combination with pain on palpation of at
least 11 of 18 specific tender points (see diagram). However, in 2004, this definition seems
outmoded and many physicians have modified the criteria for diagnosis.
FIGURE 1
Intervention
Despite decades of research and attempts at treatment, until the arrival of mangosteen, no
therapy had ever been effective in more than 45% of patients. Because of this resounding
failure, I have titled this section ‘intervention’ rather than ‘treatment’.
Graded aerobic exercise has been proven to alleviate pain and reduce sleep abnormalities
(stage IV sleep is disturbed in fibromyalgia). The effects are long-lasting if the patient faithfully
exercises. Magnetic mattresses were found to be helpful in one study as was electroacupuncture. Many dietary interventions have been tried, but only a low salt vegan diet
produced favorable results over the long term. Naturopathic and chiropractic interventions
have unfortunately not provided impressive results.
In standard (allopathic) medicine a broad spectrum of medications have been used but, to my
knowledge, no medicine has obtained an official indication for the treatment of fibromyalgia.
This fact explains the frustration that physicians experience when they try to treat fibromyalgia
sufferers. However, the doctor’s frustration and confusion is dwarfed by that of the patients
who so often suffer without relief.
Amitriptyline, an older antidepressant drug (along with other drugs in the same class) has been
useful in relieving some pain, SSRI’s or the ProzacTM, PaxilTM, ZoloftTM type of drugs are
usually prescribed as well but studies do not support their claims for relief from the
fibromyalgia symptoms although they often help with the accompanying anxiety and
depression.
Anti-inflammatory drugs have not been found to be useful in the treatment of symptoms.
The use of narcotic pain relievers is controversial but many physicians (myself included) used
them, in spite of their adverse side effects, when pain could not be reliably relieved by any
other means. Now, with the advent of the mangosteen, I no longer need to prescribe the
narcotics.
SYMPTOMS AND THE ROLE OF MANGOSTEEN
PAIN
The pain of fibromyalgia resembles the pain of neurological disease. It is often described as
‘burning’.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans of the brain show reduced blood flow to the parts
of the brain where pain is perceived and processed. Abnormalities in neurotransmitters
(chemicals that carry instructions between nerve cells) have also been consistently found in
fibromyalgia patients. These findings all lead to the conclusion that fibromyalgia causes
damage to the central nervous system, which results in, distorted pain perception in the rest of
the body. Hypalgesia (heightened pain perception) and allodynia (pain from an innocuous
stimulus such as a puff of cool air on skin) are just two of the several pain distortions.
The mangosteen contains a selective COX 2 inhibitor, the only botanical proven by research to
possess such properties. COX 2 is an enzyme constitutive (i.e. always present) in the cerebrospinal fluid and directly involved in pain perception. The suppression of COX 2 by mangosteen
is the presumptive means by which fibromyalgia pain is modified. However, the speed with
which it acts varies widely from individual to individual. Some experience improvement in a
week or two while others may need to wait up to three months for it effects to be felt.
SLEEP ABNORMALITIES
Sleep disturbance is a common finding in fibromyalgia. The deepest stage of sleep (stage IV)
which is essential for sleep to be restorative as far as energy and vigor are concerned, is most
impaired. The causal link between sleep disturbance and fibromyalgia however, is not clear
nor is sleep disturbance present in every case of fibromyalgia. When it does exist, the
xanthones of the mangosteen appear capable of restoring normal restorative sleep, in my
clinical experience.
FATIGUE
Fatigue that becomes incapacitating during exacerbations of the illness makes differentiation
from chronic fatigue syndrome (which often co-exists) difficult. Often the fatigue more than the
pain of the disorder causes patients to become depressed. Mangosteen’s ability to provide
energy is welcomed by fibromyalgia patients. When depression and anxiety are present, they
are often relieved as well.
TENDER POINTS
The tender points (see figure 1) in the muscle and superficial tissues are largely used to
establish a diagnosis. The application of minor pressure with a finger over any of these points
produces exquisite pain although muscle biopsy of the tender points has not revealed
inflammation or significant muscle fiber degeneration. In most patients, there are variations
from the diagnostic patterns of tender points as noted in the diagram.
SUMMARY
Mangosteen effectively relieves the pain, muscle tenderness, fatigue and sleep disturbance of
fibromyalgia. Although no other intervention has ever helped even 45% of patients, in my
experience, mangosteen can bring relief, either partial or complete, to over 60% of sufferers.
For this reason, it appears to be the most effective treatment available for a disease that
afflicts millions.
Finally,
daily mangosteen use brings infection fighting xanthones into the body and lessens the
likelihood of infections that can cause fibromyalgia.
RECOMMENDED SERVING
•
One to two ounces (30 – 60 ml) before every meal.
Dr. Templeman is a primary care physician, board certified in both the United States and Canada, with over twenty
years of clinical experience.
As Medical Director of Phytoceutical Research, Dr. Templeman is responsible for the development of research
projects, and the evaluation of clinical data. He is sought after internationally as a speaker and author on health,
nutrition, and the healing properties of the mangosteen fruit.
Dr. Templeman travels regularly to Southeast Asia, where he has established numerous partnerships with scientists in
several countries in order to do further research on the mangosteen fruit and the powerful Xanthones exclusive to this
botanical.
In addition to his existing responsibilities, Dr. Templeman regularly offers his services as a volunteer physician in the
third would, providing essential medical aid to the poverty stricken in isolated communities.
Dr. Templeman and his wife Michele are the parents of 10 children and they currently reside in Utah.