Fibromyalgia, sometimes referred to as fibromyalgia rheumatica, is a rheumatic disease that causes significant physical discomfort and may lower your quality of life. Fibromyalgia is considered a rheumatic condition, or a condition that affects the joints and the soft tissues that surround them and causes chronic pain throughout the body. If you are considering using nutritional therapies in treating your fibromyalgia, meet with your family doctor first to discuss risks and possible side effects.
About Fibromyalgia Rheumatica
There are no known causes of fibromyalgia, states the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, although certain factors -- genetics and physical and emotional stressors, especially -- may play an important role in the development of this condition. Widespread pain, morning stiffness, headaches and memory problems may be among the most common signs and symptoms associated with this chronic health condition. Fibromyalgia is commonly seen in people with other rheumatic conditions, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
Fibromyalgia Nutritional Approach
Dietary changes, including both dietary inclusions and exclusions, are an important part of any fibromyalgia treatment plan. Fatigue is a common problem among people with fibromyalgia. According to Dr. Joseph E. Pizzorno Jr., a naturopathic physician and author of "The Clinician's Handbook of Natural Medicine," because your health and energy levels are directly linked to the quality of food you consume, to help improve your fibromyalgia-related symptoms, you should eliminate caffeine and refined sugar from your diet and consume a well-balanced diet consisting of 50 percent raw foods -- fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds -- as well as turkey, chicken, deep water fish and fresh juices.
Fibromyalgia Nutritional Supplements
Coenzyme Q10, lecithin and acidophilus are among the most essential nutritional supplements in treating your fibromyalgia, notes Phyllis A. Balch in "Prescription for Nutritional Healing." Balch notes that other helpful nutritional supplements for this often painful condition include grape seed extract, garlic, malic acid, calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, chromium, creatine, MSM and proteolytic enzymes. Nutritional supplements, though long used for this health purpose, may require more rigorous scientific testing to determine their true efficacy.
Disclaimer
Although your fibromyalgia symptoms may spontaneously improve, most people with this condition experience intermittent bouts of pain and other symptoms for periods of months or even years. The most effective treatment approach for this common health problem is a multidisciplinary one involving both conventional, allopathic therapies and complementary alternative therapies, such as dietary changes and nutritional supplementation. Before using nutritional supplements, review proper dosage, drug interactions and potential side effects with your primary care provider.
References
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases: Fibromyalgia
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Fibromyalgia
- "The Clinician's Handbook of Natural Medicine"; Joseph Pizzorno; 2002
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch, CNC; 2010
