Fibromyalgia is a chronic syndrome of unknown etiology characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain which affects between 2% and 5% of the world population. The main symptoms are fatigue, decreased physical fitness, poor sleep and depression, among many others. Likewise, patients with fibromyalgia often suffer obesity problems, that represent a risk factor for the onset of other cardiovascular problems as hypertension and type 2 diabetes. These symptoms can lead to decreased Health Related Quality of Life and a high level of impediment.
To date, it has not been identified an effective treatment for this syndrome yet. The best therapeutic strategy involves a multidisciplinary approach based on drug treatment, physical activity and psychological therapy. Recent studies have also started to assess functional food in order to complement the actual therapy.
Reishi is the common name of a mushroom produced by the fungus called Ganoderma lucidum (Curt .: Fr.) P. Karst. This mushroom has proven to be useful to improve the quality and quantity of sleep, raise the defense levels of the organism, reduce cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, weight and blood pressure and, finally, increase physical performance. To date, to our knowledge, there are no studies aimed to assess the effect of reishi on the fibromyalgic population.
The main objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of 6 grams of micro-milled Ganoderma lucidum powder administered by oral route on the following variables: pain, quality of sleep and the inability of patients with fibromyalgia. Secondly, we have evaluated the effects of 6 grams of micro-milled Ganoderma lucidum powder in comparison with 6 grams of Carob (Ceratonia siliqua) flour on the following variables: happiness, depression, health related quality of life, perception of improvement, fitness, blood glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides, blood pressure and body composition.
Seventy fibromyalgic patients were included in a randomized clinical trial with an experimental group and an active placebo group for the pain and sleep variables. The experimental group toke 2 doses of 3 grams of reishi daily, one at breakfast and another at dinner, for 42 days. The active placebo group toke the same dose of carob flour.
Results showed that 6 daily grams of reishi decrease the impact of fibromyalgia and improve the following variables: sleep quality, happiness, perception of global clinical improvement, aerobic endurance, speed and flexibility of the lower limb. In addition, reishi may lower pain level.
In conclusion, this study open a new line of investigation for the fibromyalgia treatment, since the intake of reishi could complement the actual strategy to combat the symptoms of fibromyalgia.
Keywords: Fibromyalgia; Pain; Ganoderma lucidum; Ceratonia siliqua; Alternative medicine; Functional food.