Benign Fasciculation Syndrome

What is Benign Fasciculation Syndrome?

Benign Fasciculation Syndrome (BFS) is a disorder of the nervous system characterized by the uncontrolled twitching (fasciculation) of voluntary muscle groups in various parts of the body that may or may not be associated with muscle cramps.

Other names for Benign Fasciculation Syndrome
BFS is also known as 'Muscle Fasciculation Syndrome', 'Benign Fasciculation', 'Fasciculation Syndrome', 'Cramp Fasciculation Syndrome'.

Although no drugs have been developed to treat it, there is evidence to show that antioxidant supplementation can alleviate BFS.

Affected muscles
Although it occurs more commonly in the muscles of the legs, arms and face, it can occur in any voluntary muscles, including those of the tongue. As its name suggests, it is usually a benign, somewhat irksome condition that, fortunately, does not progress to any other serious neurological disorder.

The fasciculation may be localized, occurring in only small groups of muscles – a twitching eyelid for instance; or it may be extensive and involve one or all of the limbs. The twitching may be intermittent or continuous and most people will experience a degree of BFS at sometime in their lives without realizing that they have this condition. For example, a simple facial 'tic' is a localized form of BFS.

However, most individuals will only be aware of the diagnosis of BFS when the symptoms become so widespread and persistent that they seek medical advice.

BFS is not ALS
The muscle twitching found in BFS is similar to that seen in the far more serious neurological disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) - also known as Lou Gehrig's disease or motor neuron disease.

Although fasciculation is a feature of both BFS and ALS, twitching in BFS usually ceases while the affected muscle is exercised while in ALS patients the fasciculations persist whether the muscles are moving or at rest.

Ironically, some people with BFS have exercise-induced BFS where they experience more fasciculations AFTER they do vigorous exercise. But the actual twitching does not occur while that muscle is being exercised.

A diagnosis of BFS is usually made by a specialist neurologist after a full neurological examination (including electromyography – EMG) has excluded other, more serious diseases such as ALS.

Dr Keith Scott discusses his own experience with BFS

Causes of Benign Fasciculation Syndrome

Underlying pathology
Because the symptoms of BFS are similar to those of organophosphate poisoning it is thought that the root of the problem lies at the neuromuscular junction – the region where the nerve ending meets the muscle.

Acetylcholine is the neurotransmitter that conveys the signal from the nerve endings to muscle fibres causing them to contract. Immediately after acetycholine has stimulated the muscle receptors it is deactivated by the enzyme, acetylcholine esterase. If this enzyme is neutralized by a toxin such as an organophosphate insecticide, the acetylcholine continues to act on the muscle, causing cramps and fasciculation.

Free Radical/Antioxidant Hypothesis
Although there are drugs to treat acute organophosphate poisoning some interesting research has shown that antioxidants may be able to prevent the muscle hyper-excitability that is associated with organophosphate toxicity.

Researchers have postulated that, in addition to their direct toxic effects, pesticides induce oxidative stress by releasing large quantities of free radicals. Antioxidants given prior to exposure to organophosphates appear to prevent the onset of fasciculation by neutralizing the excess free radicals.

By extrapolating this knowledge it is not unreasonable to presuppose that antioxidants will also help to alleviate the muscle twitching associated with BFS.

One of the triggering factors in a large proportion of BFS patients is prolonged exercise.

Free radicals are the waste products of the cell's energy production processes; therefore the longer and more intensely an individual exercises the greater the quantity of free radicals that will be produced by his body. It is for this reason that endurance athletes regularly subject themselves to free radical overload and oxidative stress.

As many cases of BFS are associated with prolonged exercise we can be almost certain that the muscle twitching is aggravated by oxidative stress and free radical interference at the neuromuscular junction. It makes sense, therefore, to use antioxidants to mitigate the effects of this condition.

Treatment of BFS

As benign fasciculation syndrome is a relatively uncommon, benign disease that is often self limiting, very little effort has been made to find a specific drug to treat it. Anecdotal reports have shown that some individuals benefit from either pharmaceutical or natural sedatives. Some studies have found that the anti-epileptic, analgesic drug gabapentin has helped a number of patients with BFS.

Antioxidants protect against Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease and preliminary evidence suggests that they could be influential in treating other neurological conditions like BFS.

As prolonged physical activity produces large quantities of free radicals and exercise is such a strong precipitating factor for this condition, oxidative stress is almost certainly one of the underlying pathological factors contributing to BFS.

Vitamins and minerals

In order to neutralize as many different free radical species as possible oxidative stress is treated with a wide range of antioxidants. An adequate intake of essential nutrients, including the antioxidant vitamins and minerals, vitamins E, C, ß-carotene, selenium and zinc, should be supplemented with foods rich in plant-based antioxidants.

Vitamin D

Vitamin-D supplements can help those individuals with BFS who have low vitamin D levels. A blood test is advised prior to taking a vitamin-D supplement.

Spices and Benign Fasciculation Syndrome

To prevent exercise-induced fasciculation it is important to take the supplement on a daily basis as well as immediately before and after prolonged exercise.A significant response should be evident within weeks or months after starting treatment.

Those who have non-exercise induced benign fasciculation syndrome should also benefit from antioxidant supplementation as they may be under oxidative stress for reasons other than physical exertion.

Spice supplement

Testimonials

The myoclonus was so bad, that it was almost like seizure activity.

My neurologist at one point told me it was not BFS. I have had MRIs, blood work, EEGs and EMGs done several times. The hardest part is the chronic pain that I have in my calves. It is constant.

Within a week of starting VitaSpice my fasciculations and myoclonus were at least 80% better – maybe more. I was amazed at the results. I was sure I would have to live with this condition for the rest of my life.

I do continue to have the chronic leg pain, but I can deal with that. The fact that the severe myoclonus is almost gone has made my quality of live so much better. I do continue to take the Klonopin but I have stopped the Keppra.

Thank you. I am so grateful for VitaSpice and plan on taking it for the rest of my life.
L.L. (USA)

2) I have been diagnosed with BFS since Dec 2007 and I have tried many remedies. My BFS affects my whole body; arms, legs, chest, face, feet, hands etc…I have seen 3 separate neurologist who have all diagnosed me with BFS/CFS ( Benign Fasciculation Syndrome or Cramping Fasciculation Syndrome).

For a while I kept a log of my diet and I noticed that foods high in antioxidants really helped. I also noticed that caffeine only makes it worse.

When I stumbled across VitaSpice I was a little skeptical at first, but my research of the spices all indicated that spices were high in antioxidants. So I took the plunge and purchased a 60 day supply. About the third week into taking the VitaSpice I began to notice a remarkable difference. I am not cured, but I am a lot better for taking VitaSpice.

About 6 months ago I quit taking VitaSpice to see what would happen and my twitches came roaring back. I am now back on VitaSpice and again it has returned me to somewhat of a normalcy. I plan to make VitaSpice a lifelong supplement to my diet. My advice is “don’t knock it until you try it.” For me, I would rather take something natural than a prescribe synthetic drug that only trades side effects.

MB (USA)


3) Although I'm in excellent health, I've had BFS for at least five years. It's more of an annoyance than anything, but I am sure that VitaSpice helps as I notice that the BFS gets worse every time I try to cut back on VitaSpice (as I tried to do again in the last few months. I was just planning to order more VitaSpice for this reason. If the VitaSpice helps the BFS, I'm assuming that it may also be helping my health in other less noticeable ways!

NV (USA)

PLEASE NOTE
Although these testimonials reflect the results that many BFS sufferers experience when taking VitaSpice not everyone who takes this supplement will experience benefits - as is the case with most diets, foods, supplements and medications.The survey in the next paragraph has more specific information in this regard.

BFS/VitaSpice Survey

I did this in order to assess whether there were improvements in individuals other than those who had contacted me directly.

Although it is not a clinical trial it does give some indication of how spices may help to alleviate BFS. In summary:

• Nearly 38% of the participants noticed an improvement
• 12% reported complete remission of their symptoms
• 25% noted other improvements in their health
• 25% found that VitaSpice was more effective than other treatments

As we don't know what definitely causes BFS, I can't be sure why some responded to VitaSpice and not others. However this is often the case for treatments and medications for most illnesses. We are all different and can't expect the same results with the same treatment.

I wish it were otherwise.

I and others are fortunate that VitaSpice helped us and I am sure there are others who will benefit too.

Here is a link to a pdf with the full results of the BFS/VitaSpice survey. BFS/VitaSpice Survey

Scientific References

1. Neuromuscular junction channelopathies: a brief overview.Acta Neurol Belg. 2005 Dec;105(4):181-6.Newsom-Davis J.

2. Redox regulation of cellular stress response in neurodegenerative disorders.Ital J Biochem. 2006 Sep-Dec;55(3-4):263-82. Calabrese V, Guagliano E, Sapienza M, Mancuso C, Butterfield DA Stella AM.

3. Effects of resveratrol on nerve functions, oxidative stress and DNA fragmentation in experimental diabetic neuropathy Life Sci. 2007 Mar 6;80(13):1236-44. Jan 20.Kumar A, Kaundal RK, Iyer S, Sharma SS.

4. Spin trapping agent phenyl-N-tert-butylnitrone prevents diisopropylphosphorofluoridate-induced excitotoxicity in skeletal muscle of the rat. Neurosci Lett. 2000 Jan 7;278(1-2):25-8. Milatovic D, Zivin M, Hustedt E, Dettbarn WD.

5. Diisopropylphosphorofluoridate-induced muscle hyperactivity associated with enhanced lipid peroxidation in vivo Biochem Pharmacol. 1996 Jul 26;52(2):357-61. Yang ZP, Morrow J, Wu A, Roberts LJ 2nd, Dettbarn WD.

6. Nitrone spin trapping compound N-tert-butyl-alpha-phenylnitrone prevents seizures induced by anticholinesterases. Brain Res. 1999 Dec 11;850(1-2):63-72. Zivin M, Milatovic D, Dettbarn WD

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