I have spent a considerable amount of time and research related to one’s diet and how it can affect health. In fact, I’ve written several articles on diet as it relates to specific illnesses.
Although research is lacking in the department of diet and fibromyalgia, some does exist. What I have focused on the most though, is actual feedback from my clients.
While my program has shown them the most promise to alleviating their Fibromyalgia symptoms, many, if not most, stated that a change in diet was also key.
Fibromyalgia is a disease which affects both the muscles and connective tissues. Its main symptoms are chronic pain in these areas in addition to extreme pain when touched even gently.
Other symptoms include: extreme fatigue, sleep disturbances including bruxism (tooth grinding), difficulty breathing and difficulty swallowing.
Fibromyalgia has also had a long history of not being accepted as an actual medical condition by many doctors. So many times my clients have written to me telling me their doctor told them, “It’s all in your head.”
While that’s an infuriating thing to read, let alone hear in person from a doctor who is supposed to care, recent studies suggest that could actually be the key. While no known organic cause can be found, many are now starting to believe that fibromyalgia is in fact a psychological condition.
That’s not to say that these are imaginary symptoms of pain. In fact, this same research indicates that those who suffer from fibromyalgia have a heightened sense of pain, meaning, those of us who normally don’t register stimuli as pain, will register it if we suffer from fibromyalgia.
As far as diet goes, it follows a pretty common sense approach. Key foods to avoid are: chocolate, coffee, alcohol, foods high in salt, fried foods, high fat foods, white flour or sugar, carbonated drinks, Nutrasweet or saccharine and tobacco (although not technically a food).
Keep in mind that this is a preventative approach – avoid foods that can further suppress an already suppressed immune system (like alcohol). Avoid high fat foods which are known to cause lethargy. Avoid fried and high salt foods which can cause the body to swell, and lead to further pain.
Breathing and relaxation exercises are also recommended. Be careful though, with exercise. Overdoing it can actually trigger painful symptoms. I highly recommend my Fibromyalgia program. It’s results have been amazing!
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