5 Dietary Tips for Fibromyalgia Patients

For those who live with the symptoms of fibromyalgia, the pain is like a parasite that just won’t go away. Experts believe that there are at least 5 million Americans living with this chronic condition, but they still don’t know for sure what triggers it. The pure complexity of the syndrome makes treatment extremely difficult as each patient must be handled differently.

Researchers and many fibro patients are discovering that alternative methods are often required. Among several other lifestyle changes, altering one’s diet can have a significant impact on the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Clinical studies have shown that nearly half of fibro patients questioned reported exacerbations after eating specific foods.

The evidence is not yet definitive, but it certainly seems like fibro patients can combat their chronic pain by using their diet. If you have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, we have 5 dietary recommendations for you:

(Please be sure that you talk to your doctor before making any significant changes to your normal dietary routine.)

1. Vitamin D Supplementation

Research has shown that plenty of adults have vitamin D deficiencies, and this can produce symptoms that mimic other fibro indications. This deficiency can pose a serious risk for patients living with this syndrome— so vitamin D screenings are highly recommended. Low levels of vitamin D have been shown to exacerbate chronic pain, meaning that patients with deficiencies often require more painkillers. Vitamin D can be obtained from sunlight exposure and supplements.

2. Remove Foods with Additives

You’re probably already familiar with food additives such as aspartame and monosodium glutamate (MSG)– especially if you are living with a medical condition like fibromyalgia. Studies have shown that additives can trigger neurons which will heighten the body’s pain sensitivity. Limiting or removing them from the diet altogether can help reduce chronic pain and other fibro symptoms.

3. Get More Omega-3

It’s simple, you want to include more omega-3 fatty acids in your diet. These can be found in a variety of foods such as:

• Walnuts
• Flaxseed
• Fish

Omega 3 is a natural anti-inflammatory substance and can even help protect the heart against disease. A few years back, a large study showed how omega-3 fatty acid supplements reduced morning stiffness and painful joints after only 3 months. The research volunteers were diagnosed with conditions like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but the data shows promise for people living with fibromyalgia. We recommend that you add more fish (such as salmon) and walnuts to your diet.

(Those who are not fans of fish can also try adding flaxseeds to your oatmeal or cereal.)

4. Eliminate the Caffeine

Chronic fatigue is all too common amongst those with this syndrome and many turn to coffee in order to get through the day. This can create an unfortunate cycle where the caffeine that’s taken to compensate the lack of sleep is in turn making it harder to fall asleep at night. Sleep is incredibly important for all of us, but fibro patients must take great care in order to preserve a healthier sleep schedule. Our health experts at Clinical Trials GPS recommend antioxidant-packed decaffeinated green tea as a better alternative.

5. Get More Veggies

Are you familiar with the term oxidative stress? It’s what happens when the body doesn’t produce enough antioxidants to combat free radicals. A growing number of researchers theorize that this could be the root cause of fibro symptoms. Fruits and vegetables are usually chock full of valuable antioxidants such as vitamins A, C and E. These combat free radicals that are present in the body.

Some patients are adopting raw foods vegan diets which seem to help them manage their symptoms. However, this type of diet can be very hard for some to stick to. Though you’ll want to eat less of it, meat is an excellent source of vitamin B12 and iron which are essential for your pain-processing nervous system.