Nutrition Articles

Fibromyalgia is defined as, ?A chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and multiple tender points that occurs in precise, localized areas, particularly in the neck, spine, shoulders, and hips; also may cause sleep disturbances, morning stiffness, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety, and other symptoms.?

Chronic fatigue is defined as, ?a condition of excessive fatigue, cognitive impairment and other varied symptoms. Classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a disease of the nervous system, it is of unknown etiology and may last months or years, causing severe disability.? According to the American College of Rheumatology, fibromyalgia affects 3 to 6 million Americans, while chronic fatigue affects approximately half a million. While the cause of each has eluded science, we know that we can mitigate symptoms simply by changing our diet and supplementing with known biologic carbohydrates known as glyconutrients.

Proper nutrition is crucial for those suffering from FM/CFS. To often however, people either do not know what foods may trigger their symptoms, or do not care and choose to medicate themselves with available pain medication.

You should avoid foods which produce arachidonic acid; such as eggs, organ meats (including liver, heart and giblets), and beef. Dairy products promote inflammation. Through a complicated process the body breaks down arachidonic acid into inflammatory compounds, including the hormones, prostaglandins and leukotrienes that control the mechanisms of inflammation, constrict blood vessels and promote blood clotting. Avoid fried, barbequed, or blackened foods. While whole fruits and vegetables are important for their vitamins, minerals, and natural antioxidants, some vegetables like potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplant can cause inflammation. These vegetables are part of the nightshade family of plants and contain a chemical alkaloid called solanine. Solanine can trigger inflammation in some people and nightshade plants should be avoided to see if your pain and inflammation improves. Your best bet is a low glycemic diet. This will help anyone, regardless of condition. My office has a list of many low glycemic foods you can pick up.

The other way you can help yourself is by supplementing with glyconutrients. Science has established 8 biologic carbohydrates, (no, not table sugar) are essential for complete cellular communication. It?s obvious your cells are not communicating properly simply by having symptoms. Science has also established our bodies are deficient in 6 of the eight glyconutrients.

One of the necessary glyconutrients, mannose, functions to promote wound healing and tissue repair. Also, glycoconjugate sugar residues form an essential part of the cellular receptors to which many hormones bind in order to produce their biological effects.

Most of my female patients suffering with FM/CFS are also suffering from various hormonal imbalances. We know there are 87 hormones in the body, yet only 17 are concerned with reproduction. The remaining 70 control and regulate many other functions in the body. By supplementing with phytosterols, plant based building blocks help to provide your body with the nutrients needed to produce hormones your body knows it needs. The combination of glyconutrients and phytosterols has been very successful with those suffering from depression, which is also common with FM/CFS.

Now water. Most of us do not drink enough water for optimal health. I recommend half your body weight daily in ounces.

You don?t have to suffer. Lifestyle changes, dietary changes, and proper supplementation can help get you back to a level of health.