Posted by MERM on 6/21/2008, 12:31 pm, in reply to "The FM Diet: Eating for a Better Quality of Life"
Some people with FM have severe food allergies for dairy, wheat, corn, nightshade family plants, etc., whereas others do not.
You can discover your own food sensitivity by eliminating foods that trigger pain.
Keeping a food diary can help.
In your diary write down everything that goes into your mouth and at the same time track your FM pain.
By comparing the two you may discover that certain foods may trigger allergies or pain. It has been found that food allergies may undermine your nutrient uptake.
In a 1992 study reported in the book, What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Fibromyalgia, by Paul St. Amand M.D. and Claudia Marek, it states that
60 percent of FM patients of normal weight crave carbohydrates,
and 75 percent of obese people with FM crave carbohydrates.
However, cravings for carbohydrates are not limited to FM sufferers and therefore, can’t be considered a unique characteristic of individuals suffering from FM.
Some people with FM have a low carbohydrate intolerance or reactive hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) that occurs after eating carbohydrates.
This can cause problems metabolizing carbohydrates, inability to lose weight, fatigue, carbohydrate craving and worsening symptoms.
Carbohydrates stimulate insulin production.
Excess insulin can cause an increased uptake of sugar into muscle and liver, which can be stored as fatty acids in fat cells, and prevent carbs from being used.
There are nutritional strategies to help people with FM.
Dr. Mark Pellegrino says that because of the biochemical changes in people who have fibromyalgia, it makes good medical sense to try a low-carb, high-protein diet.
Protein diets can decrease cravings, increase energy, lose weight, and help with hypoglycemia.
Pellegrino suggests staying away from carbs like bread, potatoes and refined sugars.
There are many fad protein diets like Sugar Busters, the Zone, Atkins and others.
However, Pellegrino says that some people with FM do not tolerate a protein diet as well as others, so experiment and find what dietary plan works for you.
Dr. August believes that a 30/30/40 ratio of carbohydrate, fat, and protein enables people with FM to reach their optimum weight with maximum health.
Hypoglycemia and low-carb intolerance can be controlled by diet. Dr. August advocates the Zone Diet (Sears and Lawren, 1995).
However, there is strong evidence that the Zone Diet “works” mainly because of the reduction in total caloric intake with little or nothing to do with the release of insulin. There are some excellent websites that present pro and con arguments over the Zone and other low carb/high protein/high fat diets:
Your cells must receive nourishment and eliminate wastes.
When you start to eat healthful foods, you may find that you crave sugar, fat, starch, and processed foods.
This is a normal occurrence due to a physiological change in your body’s chemistry.
During the transition time, try not to indulge in sugar, fat, and processed foods.
These cravings will become fewer and further between as time goes on.
Of course, people who do not suffer from FM also have the same cravings; therefore, we are not unique.
People with FM need to take extra care to eat well.
Try to incorporate raw foods into your diet. I try to eat a piece of raw fruit or vegetable for breakfast and a raw vegetable or salad for lunch.
Raw foods contain enzymes that can assist in the digestion of foods. Raw foods are full of antioxidants and phytochemicals that help boost the immune system.
If you have a juicer, fresh carrot juice is a wonderful addition to incorporate into your lifestyle.
Many people have claimed to heal cancer along with an array of diseases by eating raw foods and drinking carrot juice.
Of course, most of these claims are testimonials with little scientific research to back the use of raw foods to prevent chronic disease.
Along with vegetables and fruits, omega 3 fish oil contains anti-inflammatory properties.
Eating well does not mean you have to starve yourself or totally eliminate all the foods you love.
Rather make small gradual changes and focus on the foods you enjoy.
Eating well will help reduce the fatigue and maximize energy.
Incorporate variety, balance and moderation.
Improve your health by reevaluating your overall eating habits and try making your diet more nutritious. Your body has been wonderfully and marvelously designed.
Do you allow it to run as efficiently as possible?
The phytochemicals present in vegetables and fruits have been shown to have a protective effect against many chronic diseases including heart disease and cancer the second most prevalent killers in the U.S.
These same phytochemicals may help reduce the pain response among people with FM. siyrce fnib*collenbrown*wellnesstrainM
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