Lifestyle Changes for Fibromyalgia: Diet

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Healthy Lifestyle Changes for Fibromyalgia: Diet

ImmuneSupport.com

01-03-2006 This excerpt is from " Healthy Lifestyle Changes: Exercise

and Diet " from " The Complete Idiot's Guide to Fibromyalgia " by Lynne

Matallana with ce A. Bradley, Ph.D., Stuart Silverman, M.D.,

and Muhammad B. Yunus, M.D.

By Lynne Matallana

Many people with fibromyalgia have overlapping conditions that

require special diets. If you have been diagnosed with any of the

following, take note of the dietary restrictions and suggestions.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

If is estimated that between 50 and 75 percent of people who have

fibromyalgia also have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IBS occurs in

the large intestine and causes a group of symptoms including

cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation. The nerves and

muscles in the bowel are extra-sensitive and even eating a large

meal can initiate symptoms and cause pain. People suffering with

this syndrome may benefit by avoiding the following foods: fats,

fructose (the simple sugar found in honey and fruits), milk

products, chocolate, alcohol, caffeine, and carbonated soft drinks.

A high-fiber diet may improve symptoms of diarrhea and constipation.

Lactose Intolerance

Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest lactose, the

principal sugar of milk. This intolerance is caused by a shortage of

the enzyme lactase, which is produced by the cells that line the

small intestine. When there is not enough lactase to digest the

amount of lactose consumed, a person may suffer from nausea, cramps,

bloating, gas, and diarrhea. Individuals with lactose intolerance

need to limit their intake of milk and dairy products or take

lactase enzymes that are available without a prescription.

Celiac Disease

It appears that small populations of people with fibromyalgia also

have a digestive disorder called celiac disease (CD). CD is

genetically predisposed and causes damage to the mucosal surface of

the small intestine. This damage is the result of an immunologically

toxic reaction to the ingestion of gluten. Gluten is a protein that

is in all forms of wheat and related grains, rye, barley, triticale,

and oats. CD can be diagnosed through a blood screening and a follow-

up biopsy of the small intestine. People with CD must avoid eating

all types of wheat and other noted grains.

Supplements

People with fibromyalgia should pay attention to general nutritional

needs, because they often have absorption problems caused by

digestive tract illnesses, such as bacterial overgrowth, celiac

disease, and irritable bowel syndrome. Certain medications can also

interfere with absorption, so adding nutritional supplements to your

diet may be helpful. You do need to remember, though, that

supplements are not a substitute for a healthy diet, and you must be

cautious not to take too much of one nutrient because this can cause

serious health problems.

The best way to make these decisions [what supplements to add to

your diet] is by talking to your health-care professional, a

nutrition specialist, and the manufacturer of the product; by using

your own common sense; and by doing some in-depth research.

Some of the more common vitamins and minerals suggested for people

with fibromyalgia include the following:

B vitamins – Maintain healthy nerves, liver, help with energy

production, and may reduce anxiety. Vitamin B1 may support proper

oxygen metabolism. The B-complex vitamins are essential to mental

and emotional well being.

Calcium – Protects against bone loss. Low levels of calcium cause

nervousness, apprehension, irritability and numbness.

Iron – low iron levels can cause general weakness, exhaustion, and

headaches.

Magnesium – Provides for a healthy immune system and healthy nerves

and helps with blood sugar regulation. Deficiency can cause

confusion, apathy, and insomnia. Magnesium works well in conjunction

with B complex vitamins.

Potassium – Depletion is frequently associated with depression,

fearfulness, weakness, and fatigue.

Vitamin D – In recent studies, 93 percent of people with

musculoskeletal pain were found to be deficient in vitamin D.

Amino acids can also be helpful in promoting the healing process,

and include the following: Cystine, Glycine, Leucine, Lysine,

Valine, Isoleucine, Tryptophan and 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP),

which helps to synthesize serotonin and melatonin.

The FDA has posted safety warning about the following:

Dietary supplements that contain the herbal ingredient comfrey,

which is a source of pyrrolizidine alkaloids. There is evidence that

implicates these substances as carcinogens and that they may cause

chronic liver disease.

There have been reports of hepatic (liver) toxicity associated with

products containing kava.

Products containing aristolochic acid, including botanical products

marketed as traditional Chinese medicines, have been associated with

nephropathy – a kidney disorder.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) showed a significant drug

interaction between St. 's Wort (hypericum perforatum) and

Indinavir and other antiretroviral agents.

Dietary supplements that contain tiratricol, also known as

triiodothyroacetic acid or TRIAC, a potent thyroid hormone, may

cause serious health consequences including heart attacks and

strokes.

Overall, take the proper precautions and discuss and inform your

health-care team about the supplements you are taking to help ensure

safety and a positive outcome.