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fibromyalgia: The Diet Connection
This is not a question, but sum info that may help u all!!!! *hugs* Kent Holtorf, MD for Holtorf Medical Group Center for Endocrine, Neurological and Infection Related Illness in Torrance CA said "we're at the point now where we know diet plays a role in this disease---it's just not the same diet for everybody. And not everybody is helped in the same way". Alex Shikhman, MD (Rheumatology) at the Institute for Specialized Medicine in San Diego, CA believes the diversity of dietary approaches may have less to do with the impact on FM, and more to do with treating a secondary, possibly undiagnosed illness. "When patients are helped by a specific dietary measure," says Shikhman, "it is often becuz of the presence of a secondary condition that does have a recognized response to diet. There are a number of co-existing health conditions that have a tendency to occur in ppl with FM. Many of these have overlapping symptoms. These include gluten intolerance, gout (a form of arthritis), and restless leg syndrome. Some drs believe food sensitivity itself could sometimes be responsible for some of the pain and fatigue of FM. Seven foods to avoid: 1. Aspartame (nutraSweet) 2. Food additives including MSG (momosodium glutamine) and nitrates, 3. Sugar, fructose, and simple carbohydrates, 4. Caffeine, 5. Yeast and gluten, 6. Dairy, 7. Nightshade plants. Hope it helps.
Wow furball, that was really informative, can't wait to go to the website, thanks:-)
Definitely diet has a lot to do with the symptoms. What everyone has talked about is actually a common issue with FMS.
I found a really great website. You see, someone else on a different forum mentioned Tyramine Intolerance and migraines. I had to do some research. There are a handful of inaccuracies on the website, because carrots, cherries and apples are not hypoallergenic foods. If you do research on mugwort (medicinal weed), you'll find that it's a culprit for cross reactions to all the plants in the carrot family: carrots, parsnips, cilantro, parsley, celery, dill and fennel. If you know you have sensitivities to anything in this family, don't use mugwort as a medicinal herbal medicine.
Eggs, grapes, and ginger were missing from the sulfite foods that bother people.
They were dead on accurate about mentioning spinach, though. But, they should've included lettuce, a close cousin. It isn't just me, I've done research on this, and just about everyone I know in real life with similar issues as those on this forum has trouble with lettuce and spinach both. Dandelion greens go in this category, too. It has to do with cross reactions, and these plants are actually all in the same broad category. The research came as a result of having new reactions to stuff. You might be surprised that all three of these plants are actually in the daisy/sunflower family. This includes marigolds and calendula flowers and echinacea and chamomile, too. Okay, you probably aren't surprised that echinacea (cone flowers) and chamomile are in the daisy family. And, you might not be too surprised that calendula flowers are in the daisy family, because these flowers resemble daisies. I was shocked about the lettuce and the spinach myself. Dandelions, not as much, even though the leaves are obviously different and are edible.
Here is the website: http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=faq&dbid=30#what
I found a really great website. You see, someone else on a different forum mentioned Tyramine Intolerance and migraines. I had to do some research. There are a handful of inaccuracies on the website, because carrots, cherries and apples are not hypoallergenic foods. If you do research on mugwort (medicinal weed), you'll find that it's a culprit for cross reactions to all the plants in the carrot family: carrots, parsnips, cilantro, parsley, celery, dill and fennel. If you know you have sensitivities to anything in this family, don't use mugwort as a medicinal herbal medicine.
Eggs, grapes, and ginger were missing from the sulfite foods that bother people.
They were dead on accurate about mentioning spinach, though. But, they should've included lettuce, a close cousin. It isn't just me, I've done research on this, and just about everyone I know in real life with similar issues as those on this forum has trouble with lettuce and spinach both. Dandelion greens go in this category, too. It has to do with cross reactions, and these plants are actually all in the same broad category. The research came as a result of having new reactions to stuff. You might be surprised that all three of these plants are actually in the daisy/sunflower family. This includes marigolds and calendula flowers and echinacea and chamomile, too. Okay, you probably aren't surprised that echinacea (cone flowers) and chamomile are in the daisy family. And, you might not be too surprised that calendula flowers are in the daisy family, because these flowers resemble daisies. I was shocked about the lettuce and the spinach myself. Dandelions, not as much, even though the leaves are obviously different and are edible.
Here is the website: http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=faq&dbid=30#what
I've had fibro for about 12 years (or I should say I was diagnosed 12 years ago, but my docs and I both feel I probably "had" it for several years before that).
I, personally, don't have trouble with nutrasweet (good thing because I don't care for "regular" soda, but do like the diet ones), however, I have found that Splenda does bother me. Not completely with the fibro symptoms, but a lot of gastric problems with it and headaches. I also cannot tolerate MSG, nitrates, caffeine in more than tiny amounts. Chocolate also causes me problems quite often, however, I've not been able to completely eliminate that from my diet - LOL - but I do limit the amount that I eat. Dairy also bothers me sometimes, but other times I seem to be able to get away with it better - not sure if it's related to the amount of dairy that I'm consuming or if it's the type that I consume - haven't yet been able to pinpoint it to that extent. I suppose the chocolate and dairy sensitivities could be like other fibro symptoms - sometimes worse than others and they can vary from one person to another.
I, personally, don't have trouble with nutrasweet (good thing because I don't care for "regular" soda, but do like the diet ones), however, I have found that Splenda does bother me. Not completely with the fibro symptoms, but a lot of gastric problems with it and headaches. I also cannot tolerate MSG, nitrates, caffeine in more than tiny amounts. Chocolate also causes me problems quite often, however, I've not been able to completely eliminate that from my diet - LOL - but I do limit the amount that I eat. Dairy also bothers me sometimes, but other times I seem to be able to get away with it better - not sure if it's related to the amount of dairy that I'm consuming or if it's the type that I consume - haven't yet been able to pinpoint it to that extent. I suppose the chocolate and dairy sensitivities could be like other fibro symptoms - sometimes worse than others and they can vary from one person to another.
Dj, I havnt been able to convert completely to a gluten-free diet however I am buying more gluten-free food just cuz I know the benefits of food like this. I'm very glad its helping u and that ur dr is proactive like that and helping other FM sufferers!!!!! Hi trudie, sorry for the delayed response everyone, I've had no internet access til this month. I've been on lyrica but it made me feel "high" and my memory was shot and I acted like I had dementia or something lol. So after 6 weeks, I stopped taking it. Enzyme, very good points and tips!!!!
Diet has been mentioned here and there in some topics and I feels needs to be addressed more, so bumping for its informative benefits.
Soy destroyed my son's endocrine system. I would avoid soy at all cost.
I don't think many people are getting the amount of calcium and magnesium they really need. Adding selenium and boron may be an important factor for you, too.
Has anyone had an organic acids test done, to pinpoint your specific deficiencies? This could really help you a lot. (how else would you know if you are excreting an excessive level of pyruvate, and really need B1 supplements? - just one example)
My son had a test of 46 organic acid metabolites, which revealed many significant deficiencies. check out the metametrix lab website, for info.
Enzy
I don't think many people are getting the amount of calcium and magnesium they really need. Adding selenium and boron may be an important factor for you, too.
Has anyone had an organic acids test done, to pinpoint your specific deficiencies? This could really help you a lot. (how else would you know if you are excreting an excessive level of pyruvate, and really need B1 supplements? - just one example)
My son had a test of 46 organic acid metabolites, which revealed many significant deficiencies. check out the metametrix lab website, for info.
Enzy
badshadow, the rule with this is to avoid what bothers you. If dairy doesn't bother you then you should take it. I continue to take dairy but use lactose free milk as I find that is what can bother me.
Hi, I'm new, and I have been avoiding most of those foods, but I just can't seem to avoid the Dairy. I like drinking milk, eating yogurt and cottage cheese. The bread/Carbs and sugar aren't that hard for me, but I need the calcium. I do take Supplements, but I am 55 and am "Osteoporenic," which is one level before "Osteoporosis."
I do use Soy, but for me nothing beats and ice cold galss of milk.
I do use Soy, but for me nothing beats and ice cold galss of milk.
squirtatious, have you tried Lyrica or Cymbalta? I'm having fantastic results with Lyrica (first week tough but then amazing). I'm also taking D-Ribose for energy and I do find that when I avoid gluten and sugar that I feel better. A little exercise helps the muscle pain, I use massage and I soak in the tub. I also take fish oil capsules, calcium, D3, multi-vitamin, selenium and magnesium. Often times anti-depressants help those with fibromyalgia and I am on Remeron. Once the depression lifted I was able to deal with the pain so much better and some of my energy levels returned too.
Hi,
I have been told that I have Fibromyalgia and that massages will help, I have also tried a gluten free diet with no significant improvement. I also have Hashimotos Thyroiditis and Hemochromatosis(high iron stores) i give blood regularly for the Hemochromatosis. i take Plaquenil tablets (of 200 mg), and Endep (of 25 mg) for inflammation has anyone else got any other ideas, i have constant pain.
thanks.
I have been told that I have Fibromyalgia and that massages will help, I have also tried a gluten free diet with no significant improvement. I also have Hashimotos Thyroiditis and Hemochromatosis(high iron stores) i give blood regularly for the Hemochromatosis. i take Plaquenil tablets (of 200 mg), and Endep (of 25 mg) for inflammation has anyone else got any other ideas, i have constant pain.
thanks.
Were you able to try the gluten free diet?? I know that it's very difficult. I'm curious if it helped you. After I had such dramatic improvements my doctor started recommending the trial diet to all his patients with FMS. I'm hoping you were successful. If you were glucose intolerant as a child you probably are as an adult. I didn't discover it until I was 53 so you can go years and not know it.
There's some food for thought thanks so much!
... I am still awaiting my second lot of blood test results as some abnormalities did show up but funny thing is ... my dad has always claimed that I was wheat & gluten intolerant as a child but somehow it was never enforced enough to take this into adult hood when I left home so I myself have never cut it out of my diet .. I get all the symptoms including the restless leg so will definitely be taking your advice and trying to cut out as many of those food items as possible, thankyou so much!
... I am still awaiting my second lot of blood test results as some abnormalities did show up but funny thing is ... my dad has always claimed that I was wheat & gluten intolerant as a child but somehow it was never enforced enough to take this into adult hood when I left home so I myself have never cut it out of my diet .. I get all the symptoms including the restless leg so will definitely be taking your advice and trying to cut out as many of those food items as possible, thankyou so much!
Aww I'm so glad u both were able to reduce sum of ur pain by diet changes...pretty powerful isn't it!! *hugs*
Hi. I have had FMS for 15 yrs. I accidentally discovered 2 yrs ago (after going on a Daniel fast) that becoming gluten free DRASTICALLY improved my FMS. The level of pain has been reduced significantly. I was having migraines 5 out of 7 days, and now I'm having them only occasionally, maybe once in 3 months. I would recommend anyone to give this a try. I was on the Daniel fast for 21 days, but I saw the improvement within 14 days, so giving it a try for just 2 weeks would be well worth it.
Have had FMS for over a decade. When I began South Beach Phase 1 last Spring, the results astounded me. I had always poo-pooed those that claimed avoiding certain foods would help with the FMS, etc. Boy, was I WRONG!
For me, avoiding sugar, starch and simple carb foods as well as limiting or avoiding potatoes as been vital to feeling better!
Are we all different? Yes! Will we all need to avoid the same specific foods? Doubtful. It's just a good starting point while we each tweak to find what is right for ourselves.
For me, avoiding sugar, starch and simple carb foods as well as limiting or avoiding potatoes as been vital to feeling better!
Are we all different? Yes! Will we all need to avoid the same specific foods? Doubtful. It's just a good starting point while we each tweak to find what is right for ourselves.
I have joined a FM support group by a lady that started it that formed it in our region. Its twice a month and I get my info from that group. Jan Chambers from Utah is our leader and working on getting funding for research for FM. Greatest blessings to u!!!
hi i have had fm for years and i would like to know where u found all that infor about fm and where i can look it up some of it for me is very true and i have tryed to change what i eat and what i drink just because it really effects me alot. if u can help me with more info that would be great lisa
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