According to a study published in the Intl. Journal of Clinical Practice, “patients with FMS have strikingly high levels of comorbidities, and high levels of healthcare utilization and costs.”
The problem is despite the fact this study was based on data from almost 10 years ago, little has been discovered that offers relief to Fibromyalgia (FMS) symptoms.
As one who suffers from FMS, I can speak personally about how difficult it is to deal with this illness. Often, the level of pain experienced can be disabling. It results in a decreased desire to participate in activities due to increased pain and irritability. It creates stress in relationships, and depression.
Recently, a discovery by scientists at Integrated Tissue Dynamics LLC, indicated that fibromyalgia has its roots in the skin (specifically in the palms of the patient’s hands.) The end result is that the patient has a buildup of painful lactic acid which is responsible for much of the achiness and pain they experience. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2040193/
Although, reducing lactic acid won’t cure the patient, it could help relieve or eliminate much of the problems associated with the illness.
For years avid exercise enthusiasts have known that the amino acids found in watermelon reduce lactic acid in the system. ”Researchers report that people who drank watermelon juice before exercising felt less sore the next day than those who drank a pink placebo beverage (J. Agric. Food Chem. 2013, DOI: 10.1021/jf400964r).” http://cen.acs.org/articles/91/web/2013/07/Watermelon-Juice-Prevents-Aching-Muscles.html
Amino Acid L-citrulline vs. Watermelon: In a study completely unrelated to fibromyalgia, researchers found that the body absorbed only 13% of the amino acids in the supplement L-citrulline (found in watermelon) versus 19% absorption from the actual fruit. This indicates either eating the watermelon or drinking a smoothie made from watermelon could be a better alternative to taking the supplement. http://www.medicaldaily.com/watermelon-juice-amino-acids-could-help-prevent-post-workout-muscle-soreness-248103
By combining the above research studies, it is possible that watermelon juice may be a bridge for reducing pain in fibromyalgia patients. This could go a long way in helping FMS patients manage their pain and discomfort until a real cure if found.
A personal perspective: Successful treatment results may be hidden due to ongoing pain related to Lactic Acid retention.
Although I don’t have a study to back this statement up, I can say without a doubt that for fibromyalgia patients, a cure is often difficult to recognize due to the fact the pain doesn’t decrease. Personally, my physician has offered many possible solutions from diet to pharmaceuticals. I would use these for 3 to 6 months only to give up due to the lack of results, or sometimes positive results that quickly go away leading to more frustration.
Since I have been on the watermelon treatment, I have seen a marked reduction in pain. Now, my physician is repeating the treatments she prescribed before, and the results are more obvious and long-lasting than they were before.
Again from my personal experience, reducing the lactic acid with watermelon juice has made my life much more bearable than it has been for several years. I’m clearly aware this doesn’t cure my fibromyalgia, but being able to function without the continuous, unrelenting pain has made a lasting difference for my life. Hopefully, this will make a difference for other patients such as myself.
