Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by widespread soft-tissue pain and chronic debilitating fatigue. As with many similar painful syndromes, fybromyalgia diet suggestions abound to improve the symptoms of fibromyalgia, with some even claiming to alter the course of the disease. But how many of these diet claims are mere fads, meant to feed off of the sufferers fear?
After careful examination, it appears that none of these so-called “revolutionary” diets has been substantiated scientifically as a cure, or as bringing a definite reduction in fybromyalgia pain. However, this may be due, in part, to the fact that fibromyalgia is considered more of a symptom cluster, or syndrome, than a specific disease. Many people experience the disease differently, so logically, it follows that different dietary measures could be helpful to different sufferers of fibromyalgia.
Unlike some other pain syndromes, fibromyalgia patients have not been shown to experience any specific nutritional or mineral deficiencies. So a daily vitamin supplement is not the answer.
Doctors state that often when patients do notice a dramatic difference in response to a dietary change, it could easily be due to a different, undiagnosed problem. In this case, it is important to identify the problem and treat it. So what about those patients who brag in their online blogs about having recovered from fibromyalgia after a simple dietary change? Leave that kind of advice to the pros, guys!
Gluten intolerance, for example, (in simple terms, a kind of wheat allergy) can cause some of the same symptoms that fibromyalgia can, and can even coexist with fibromyalgia in some cases.
When it comes to overall diet, there is no magic bullet. However, that does not mean that fibromyalgia patients can’t make positive changes to improve their health via their diet. Normally, in order to feel one’s best, it is important to eat a healthy diet. This remains true for fibromyalgia sufferers, if not even more so than for healthy people.
Do be aware of foods that seem to regularly impact your health. You may have allergies that you were previously unaware of. While not a fybromyalgia diet plan, per se, there are some foods or ingredients, that, when avoided, can cause a reduction in symptoms of many fibromyalgia patients. Aspartame, MSG, other food additives, for example, are best avoided.
Avoiding simple carbohydrates like white bread, cookies, and cake, remains a good idea for all health-conscious people. Minimal consumption of sweets, caffeine, and alcohol, is always wise.
With a disorder such as fibromyalgia that causes such extreme exhaustion, it might be especially easy to over-consume something like caffeine or sugar, that might cause a short spike in energy, but does no good in the long term. It is wise to stay aware of one’s habits.
Whole grains, fruit, and vegetables, on the other hand, as long as eaten within reason with regard to appropriate calorie consumption – these can be eaten without guilt. And, of course, doctors recommend for everyone to eat a well-balanced diet, without too much unhealthy fat.
