Fibromyalgia Meets a Plant Based Diet

Can Diet Improve Fibromyalgia?


Fibromyalgia is a difficult disease that we have struggled to fully understand.Fibromyalgia is characterizedby widespread pain, fatigue, and sleep disruption but what causes this has remained mysterious for a long time. Doctors infrequently find laboratory abnormalities in their patients and so the symptoms of the patient are relied upon to provide the diagnosis. Historically, and unsurprisingly, conventional doctors have resorted to throwing anti-inflammatories, steroids, and opiates at the problem seeking only to alleviate the symptoms at whatever cost. However, studies are emerging that may show the efficacy of a plant based diet for the treatment of fibromyalgia.

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Signs and Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

The most common symptoms of fibromyalgia are

  • Pain and stiffness all over the body

  • Fatigue and tiredness

  • Depression and anxiety

  • Sleep problems

  • Problems with thinking, memory, and concentration

  • Headaches, including migraines

Other symptoms may include:

  • Tingling or numbness in hands and feet

  • Pain in the face or jaw, including disorders of the jaw known as temporomandibular joint syndrome (also known as TMJ)

  • Digestive problems, such as abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and even irritable bowel syndrome (also known as IBS)

Fibromyalgia and a Plant Based Diet
 

Research is emerging that dietary behavior and dietary intake are lifestyle factors that might influence the occurrence, maintenance, and perception of chronic musculoskeletal pain associated with fibromyalgia. This is a major breakthrough discovery as before fibromyalgia has appeared to go largely unaffected by anything other than drugs. A healthy diet is absolutely essential, especially for anyone combating chronic illness, and research is showing this is no different for fibromyalgia patients.

When glutamate, meat, dairy, and other ingredients found in the Standard American Diet were removed, symptoms from fibromyalgia decreased substantially. Furthermore, when ONLY plant based foods were eaten, patients reported the lowest occurrence of symptoms.

This shows a direct link between fibromyalgia symptoms, diet, and gut health. An unprocessed plant based diet will reduce inflammation, restore balance, and do the most work to diminish or even eradicate symptoms.

Your Diet Matters


Even when it comes to strange, little understood, and mysterious illnesses like fibromyalgia it's clear that diet is still king. Whenever you are struggling with chronic illness, the first thing you want to address is your diet and research has shown time and time again that a plant based diet is the diet of choice to combat chronic illness and to improve longevity.

If you want to give yourself the best chance of staying healthy, preventing illness, and giving yourself the best chance of living a long life, then a plant based diet is proven to be the best tool to ensure that.

God Bless,
Mercy Ballard

Mercy Ballard