Fibromyalgia is a painful condition affecting thousands of men and women across the world.
It is more commonly experienced in women, however. The condition affects the musculoskeletal system in the body, causing muscle pain and flare-ups.
Individuals suffering from fibromyalgia find that it greatly affects their life, sometimes even causing an inability to work or maintain a normal lifestyle.
There is no cure for fibromyalgia, but individuals that suffer from the condition have a variety of treatment options.
With these treatment options, living a normal lifestyle with the condition is possible.
Those with fibromyalgia have numerous treatment options available. Your doctor will go over those various treatment options to help determine which methods are best suited for your needs.
In addition to doctor prescribed treatment options, individuals with fibromyalgia may also make many lifestyle changes that will also greatly improve your way of life.
One option is to change your diet. Many foods are good for fibromyalgia while there are just as many that you should probably stray far away from.
Foods that reduce the Pain of Fibromyalgia
To enjoy living better with Fibromyalgia, the addition of several foods is recommended.
It is a good idea to talk to your doctor to obtain a full list of foods that you should consider adding to your diet.
Generally speaking, all of those healthy fruits and veggies aregreat for the diet as well as lean meats.
Some of the best choices of foods for your diet include:
Fish
Twice per week, prepare a meal with fish as the main entrée. Fish is high in omega-3 fatty acids which the body uses to reduce inflammation and prevent heart disease.
But, when you maintain a regular diet that includes fish, you are getting even greater benefits to your health, including elimination of tender muscles and joints, pain reduction, and morning stiffness.
Fish tastes great, is low in fat and certainly a food that the entire family will enjoy.
Veggies
Vegetables are delicious when prepared quickly, but that’s not their only benefit for a patient with fibromyalgia.
Individuals suffering from this painful condition may be suffering because of oxidative stress, something that occurs when the body is deprived of essential vitamins and nutrients.
These nutritional vitamins and nutrients are found in vegetables such as green beans, asparagus and broccoli.
These vegetables are high in antioxidants as well as vitamins include A, C, E, and D.
Green Tea
If you are not drinking water, drink green tea. Perhaps up the ante with a bit of citrus infused into your tea.Lemon is always delicious in tea.
Green tea has an amazing number of benefits to your health, including the many antioxidants found inside.
Fruits
You need no other sugar when you eat fruit, as it contains natural sugars that will alleviate your sweet tooth while also providing other health benefits.
Fruit, like vegetables, are rich in antioxidants as well as essential vitamins and minerals.They taste great, so why not?
Water
Water is free of fat, has no taste but keeps the body well hydrated and at its best. Drink 8 to 10 cups of water each day with no exception and you’ll reap the rewards of the decision very quickly.
Stop! Hold up… Wait a Minute
Now that you know the foods that may enhance your life, it is time to learn those that might hinder your life.
It is likely that your doctor will recommend that you remove these foods from your diet and doing so will help eliminate flare-ups as well as pain.
Avoid Additives
Additives should be avoided by anyone that desires to live a healthier lifestyle, but more so by those who suffer with fibromyalgia.
Additives are found in many processed and frozen foods; cooking fresh is always best. Additives include:
- Aspartame
- MSG
- Artificial coloring
- Preservatives
- High fructose corn syrup
- Trans Fat
Additives such as those listed above may act as excitotoxin molecules. These molecules form a chemical group that can activate neurons and cause an increased sensitivity to pain.
When you are already suffering the last thing that you want to do is cause the pain to worsen.
Although studies are still investigating the relation of additives and this health condition, it is in your best interest to remove additives from the diet if you are feeling intense or increased pain.
Say no to Carbs
Carbohydrates are an item that is off-limits when you have fibromyalgia. All-to-often the foods that contain carbs, such as pastas and white flour, taste delicious and even provide energy.
The problem is the rush of energy is oftentimes followed by a major crash that can disrupt sleep habits.
A secondary problem is that these foods offer you no nutritional value whatsoever. Carbs that you should make an effort to eliminate from your diet include:
- Soda
- Potatoes
- White Rice
- White bread
- Candy
- Sugar
Caffeine
Above we told you that soda contains carbohydrates and should be avoided if you suffer from fibromyalgia.
But there is a more important reason to avoid soda as well as other drinks containing caffeine.
These drinks (and other caffeine containing products) cause excitement in the central nervous system.
With this, some users also experience anxiety, depression and an increased amount of pain.
These symptoms are also relatively common in those who have fibromyalgia and together the results can be devastating.
Final Thoughts
Something as simple as changing your diet can also change your life when you have fibromyalgia.
Obviously your overall well-being is enhanced with these dietary changes, but you will be more than amazed with the awesome attributes offered when you have fibromyalgia.
The information above is designed to help you get started on those changes so that you can begin benefiting your life as soon as tomorrow!
Now that you know what to eat and what not to eat, you can improve your life and break free from the debilitating condition of fibromyalgia!
Reference:
http://www.everydayhealth.com/fibromyalgia-pictures/eat-well-to-help-fibromyalgia.aspx
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/01/19/foods-that-chronic-pain-sufferers-need-to-avoid.aspx
