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Fibromyalgia Diet
A fibromyalgia diet is one of the alternative treatments for this epidemic illness. Some doctors and nutritionists believe that a particular diet can help to reduce the debilitating symptoms of this condition. No scientific evidence has been provided to support any of these theories. Evidence is based exclusively on the symptomatic relief data provided by individual patients.

Fibromyalgia Diet Problem
The biggest problem with using diet as a treatment for
fibromyalgia
is determining which foods might help your condition and which might actually increase the severity of your symptoms. Patients report a variety of often contradictory information when it comes to foods to eat and foods to avoid. The same magic bullet in one patient’s diet plan might be on the list of foods to avoid for another patient. Most doctors would agree that these big discrepancies point to the
placebo effect
being the actual cause of the dietary benefit or harm.
Ideas About Fibomyalgia Diet
Most patients seem to agree that magnesium is good for fibromyalgia. This is no surprise, since it is important for general health and strong bones. Many patients swear by a low sodium diet, which is also a good prevention against heart disease and high blood pressure. Some patients find relief by eating lots of red meat, while others avoid it like poison. Most patients agree that chicken and fish are good additions to a fibromyalgia diet plan. Many patients agree that refined sugar and grains aggravate their symptoms. However, some patients find relief in large doses of carbohydrates, regardless of the source. Many patients try to avoid artificial sweeteners and preservatives. This is simply common sense, since these substances have been shown to be a health risk for ANYONE .
Herbs
are a reliable standby for some fibromyalgia sufferers. Echinacea is one of the most popular herbal treatments for pain symptoms. Some patients avoid large doses of vitamin C, while others report good results from increasing their daily dosage. Almost all patients agree that soda, carbonated beverages, caffeinated tea and coffee, and any form of tobacco is bad for their condition. No news flash here, since these substances are dangerous to anyone’s health, regardless of fibromyalgia. Drinking lots of water is recommended by some patients, but once again, water is important to everyone’s dietary needs. A majority of patients avoid fatty and fried foods. This is yet another example of a good dietary policy to follow regardless of your health. Finally, some patients believe whole vegetable juice is good, while overly sweet fruit juice is bad. It has been known for some time that sweetened fruit juice is actually worse than soda in terms of creating the perfect circumstances for obesity.
The point of all this information is that relief seems to come on a case by case basis, except when it comes to commonly accepted general dietary knowledge. I think everyone knows that fatty foods, soda, and artificial preservatives are bad. This is definitely not anything new or ground breaking…fibromyalgia or not.
Recommendation on a Fibromyalgia Diet
There is no proof that any food, vitamin, or supplement has any direct effect on fibromyalgia symptoms. It is always advisable to eat a healthy and well balanced diet, regardless of symptoms.
Proper nutrition
will go a long way to insure your general health and will prevent many painful and debilitating conditions, such as
Osteoporosis.
Depending on a particular diet to treat fibromyalgia is not a bad idea, unless the diet compromises the nutritional requirements of your body. However, the most likely explanation for relief of fibromyalgia symptoms due to dietary consumption is a placebo reaction. This is a common occurrence for all
psychological pain syndromes.
The best solution to finding fibromyalgia relief is to use
knowledge therapy
to create a real cure, instead of ongoing
symptomatic treatment.
Dietary therapy can be fine in the short term to ease symptoms, but does nothing to cure the underlying cause of the pain. If you can address that true cause, the pain syndrome will disappear. You will finally be free from fibromyalgia, once and for all.
Fibromyalgia Diet to Back Pain Home page
11/29/06 Revised 5/31/07

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