Fibromyalgia

This article is from www.arthritis-health.com

"Foods to Avoid with Fibromyalgia

Sensitivity to pain is a well-known symptom of fibromyalgia. A lesser-known symptom is an enhanced sensitivity to various substances, including food.

Following an anti-inflammatory diet and being aware of food sensitivities can help people with fibromyalgia get the most out of their food while avoiding symptom flare-ups.

Foods Likely to Make Symptoms Worse
The following foods may worsen symptoms by increasing inflammation, aggravating food sensitivities, or both.

Sugar. Reducing or eliminating sugar can have a significant impact on health for two reasons. First, the medical literature has shown that eating foods high in sugar is linked to increased fibromyalgia pain.
Second, limiting sugar helps control weight. Being overweight puts extra stress on the body, contributing to fatigue, and stored fat may lead to inflammation in some cases. Sugar is a well-known ingredient in candy and soft drinks but is also in foods considered to be healthy—such as yogurt. When checking nutrition labels, it is helpful to know that glucose, fructose, and sucrose are other names for sugar.
See The Ins and Outs of an Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Carbohydrates. Refined carbohydrates such as cookies, many breads, pastries, and white rice are digested quickly, causing blood sugar levels to spike. The effect does not last, however, and blood sugar soon drops, making the individual hungry again. These fluctuations can make the fatigue and pain of fibromyalgia worse and contribute to overeating.
When eating carbohydrates, whole wheat sources should be chosen. Whole wheat foods digest more slowly, avoiding the highs and lows that occur with other carbohydrates.

One small research study focused on women diagnosed with fibromyalgia who also had irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and a food intolerance. (Many people with fibromyalgia also have irritable bowel syndrome.)
When the women cut back on eating a specific group of carbohydrates, they reported a 50% reduction in irritable bowel symptoms and a 22% decrease in other symptoms, including pain. The restricted carbohydrates were a type not well absorbed in the small intestine. Such carbohydrates include lactose (an ingredient in milk and other dairy foods), fructose (in some fruits and vegetables, honey, and other sweeteners), and grains.
Processed foods. Sugar and unhealthy fats, which increase inflammation, are a large part of many processed foods. Flavorings and preservatives commonly used in processed foods also may trigger food sensitivities.
See What Are Anti-Inflammatory Foods?

Unhealthy fats. Vegetable oils, such as corn oil, safflower oil, and peanut oil, have an inflammatory effect, especially when used to fry food. The medical literature has linked fried foods to worsening of fibromyalgia symptoms.3 Unhealthy oils are a common ingredient in many processed foods, such as cookies, doughnuts, and crackers. Pizza and cheese are also major sources of unhealthy fats.
Alcohol. While some research has found moderate alcohol use can ease symptoms,6 some people with fibromyalgia report alcohol causes symptoms to flare. Drinking alcohol while taking certain medications prescribed for fibromyalgia—such as anticonvulsants, antidepressants, and acetaminophen (an ingredient in many medications) could cause harmful interactions.

Ingredients That May Trigger Fibromyalgia Symptoms
This is not a comprehensive list of foods that may trigger symptoms. Other foods and ingredients that may cause symptoms for some people include, but are not limited to:

Gluten
Red meat
Fruits and vegetables in the nightshade family, such as tomatoes, eggplant, white potatoes, green peppers, goji berries, and both the eye-watering chilies and the sweeter bell peppers.
Dairy products
Eggs
Caffeine

Learning About the Body's Reaction to Certain Foods
If a food appears to trigger symptoms in an individual, eliminating the food entirely for several weeks is a good way to determine its impact. Keeping a detailed food log to track symptoms when the food is removed and added back may also be helpful.

Reducing sugar and sugary foods can have an additional benefit, helping the individual overcome a craving for sweets for the long term.

The doctor can be a good resource on food sensitivities and should be informed of problems encountered with different foods and ingredients. In some cases, the doctor may suggest testing for food sensitivities or allergies to narrow the list of potential problem foods."

Comment: This is a general list of foods to avoid for fibromyalgia patients but to know the specific diet in a patient I order certain tests as a complete hair analysis, etc. I recommend this general list of foods for fibromyalgia patients during the complete detoxification program before receiving the lab results. In order to know about the importance of a complete hair analysis please read the article on it on this page.

Fibromyalgia patients usually have insomnia. This is not only a consequence of pain but as the study below shows is one of the main factors contributing to the abnormal pain processing and central sensitization affecting fibromyalgia patients. A complete hair analysis may reveal the root factors of insomnia. There is an article on hair analysis at the top of this page.

The role of sleep in pain and fibromyalgia. - PubMed - NCBI Nat Rev Rheumatol. 2015 Sep;11(9):513-20. doi: 10.1038/nrrheum.2015.56. Epub 2015 Apr 28. Review

Fibromyalgia and Hair Analysis

Fibromyalgia is a widespread pain in the muscles and fibrous tissues of the body due to a dysfunction of the central nervous system. It is becoming a more common diagnosis, especially when other chronic pain conditions are ruled out. Often muscle pain is accompanied by tenderness and generalized fatigue. It's very important people with fibromyalgia have a hair analysis done (Please, read the article on hair analysis on the top of this page). What does hair analysis research reveal about fibromyalgia, and what can modern nutrition offer for this painful condition?

Pain And The Adrenal Glands
Many pain syndromes are associated with adrenal insufficiency. Most people with the diagnosis of fibromyalgia are slow oxidizers (slow metabolic rate). This means their adrenal glands are underactive. Their hair calcium and magnesium levels are often very high, while their sodium and potassium levels are low.

This biochemical pattern can produce pain for several reasons. The adrenal glands produce the major anti-inflammatory hormones, cortisone, and cortisol. Lowered production of these hormones for any reason can cause or aggravate pain syndromes.

The adrenal glands also produce aldosterone. Aldosterone causes sodium retention. Sodium is a highly water-soluble mineral. One of its functions is to keep calcium in an ionized form in the blood. This helps prevent calcium deposition in the tissues.

Low tissue sodium from weak adrenal glands can permit calcium to precipitate out of the blood and deposit in various tissues, including muscle tissue. A tendency for calcium deposition is indicated on a mineral analysis by a very high calcium level. Calcium deposition is another possible cause of pain.

Imbalanced Sodium/Potassium Ratios
Imbalance of the sodium/potassium ratio is often noted on the hair analyses of those with fibromyalgia. Dr. Paul Eck's research indicates that the sodium/ potassium ratio on a hair mineral analysis reflects the balance between the pro-inflammatory and the anti-inflammatory hormones.

When the ratio is elevated above 4.50:1, it indicates a predominance of pro-inflammatory hormones. This may result in pain. When the sodium/potassium ratio is less than 2.5:1, it indicates catabolism or tissue breakdown. This may also cause pain to occur.

Biounavailable Magnesium
High levels of calcium and magnesium on a hair mineral test often indicate bio-unavailability of these minerals. This means that some of the calcium and magnesium are in a form that is not usable in the body.

All the mechanisms of biological availability are not understood. However, it is not enough to have a mineral present in the body. It must be in a form, compound or valence that is usable by the body.

For example, many older people have plenty of calcium deposited in their arteries or joints. But the calcium is not available for use in their bones. This is called tissue calcification and it's very common.

Calcium, and particularly magnesium, are essential for energy production and relaxation of the muscles. Deficient or biounavailable magnesium disturbs energy metabolism in the muscles. This may help account for the pain of fibromyalgia. Magnesium supplements or even injections can have dramatic effects upon fibromyalgia patients.

It does not matter if blood tests show adequate serum magnesium. Magnesium may become depleted from the tissues long before serum magnesium levels decrease.

Magnesium is commonly deficient in modern diets. Sources include whole grains, nuts, and seeds. A recent study compared the magnesium levels in organic and commercial foods. It revealed organically grown corn had 300% more magnesium than chemically fertilized corn (J. Applied Nutrition, Vol. 45, #1, 1993).

Toxic Metals
Toxic metal accumulation may contribute to some cases of fibromyalgia. Among the most commonly seen is copper toxicity. Copper is required for energy production in the electron transport system. About 30% of our cellular energy in the form of ATP is generated here. A copper imbalance profoundly affects energy production. Cadmium, mercury, and lead may also contribute to symptoms of muscle pain and weakness.

Other Aspects Of Muscle Pain
Pain is often an indicator of tissue starvation or tissue damage. A person with fibromyalgia may be deficient in protective nutrients such as the antioxidants - vitamins A, C, E, and selenium.

A deficiency of any nutrient involved in energy production could contribute to symptoms of fibromyalgia. These include the B vitamins, manganese, chromium, zinc, and essential amino acids. Even if the diet is sufficient, impaired digestion and absorption could create an imbalance that is not correctable through diet alone. For this reason, an individualized nutrition program is usually best.

Deficiency of the essential fatty acids of the omega-3 and omega-6 group may also contribute to pain syndromes. These oils are found in foods such as flaxseed oil, black currant seed oil, salmon oil, borage oil or primrose oil. Most people do not consume adequate amounts of these oils.

Though it may be hard to believe, food allergies are another factor in some cases of fibromyalgia. Elimination diets and rotation of sensitive foods may prove very beneficial for people with fibromyalgia. By combining all these aspects of scientific nutrition, many cases of fibromyalgia can improve or even heal.