Overcoming Fibromyalgia Naturally

By Nena Wirth, MASc. Nutrition

Fibromyalgia is a debilitating disease affecting your entire body due to severe and excruciating muscle pain. Many doctors believe that there is no known cure for fibromyalgia. Fybromyalgia is a worldwide epidemic that is considered an 'autoimmune condition,' and that all conditions  labeled autoimmune almost always involve a 'leaky gut,' a digestive  problem. If there is an ongoing leaky gut, cascade of autoimmune  disorders will developed.

Fibromyalgia  sufferers feel restless and  experienced excruciating or stabbing muscle pain early in the day, which  often improves as the day progresses. Even stress, activity and weather  changes trigger pains, and symptoms get worse despite following all prescribed treatments.

If you are a victim of this disease, even your friends, family and co-workers, may not understand the pain of fybromyalgia because there is no visible signs only excruciating pain and emotional disturbance. They assume that you are pretending or making excuses not to do  work. Often time your partners believe it is an excuse to avoid sex because there are times you feel good and you take this moment to enjoy and do some housework. Fybromyalgia usually cause you to be  depressed and often moody, and because of this, you  are often branded as mentally  deranged. For this  reason, many of you  require psychotherapy for support  and encouragement that your love ones or friends fail to give.

Many of you may have lived with these pains for years, and trusting on therapies, anti- inflammatory drugs and anti-depressant to control these symptoms unaware that there is an alternative approach that can  help. Studies have shown that anti-inflammatory drugs although it provides temporary relief, it could also cause gastrointestinal disturbances.1,2,3 This can trigger a leaky gut syndrome, which explain worsening of symptoms, rather than treating the condition.

 Fibromyalgia triggers other conditions such as sleep disturbance, chronic fatigue, anxiety, depression, gastrointestinal disturbance, irritable bowel syndrome, bladder disturbance, headaches, nasal congestion, bronchial asthma and weight problems.  Because fibromyalgia is related to many other health problems, it adds more difficulty for doctors to  diagnose. However, some doctors often apply pressure to specific areas of your body called tender points, the pressure causes enough pain to  make you scream. One who may be suffering from fibromyalgia experienced  agonizing and acute pain in 11 of 18 specific points up and down the  spine and in the shoulder, at the base of the skull and in the neck,  ribs, upper chest (near the collarbone), elbows, knees, lower back and  buttocks.

Some major contributing factors in the development of fibromyalgia are:

1) Stress, trauma

As a result of car accident, death of a love one, family breaks down, and loses of a job.

2) Cumulative load of environmental toxins such as:

a). Environmental toxins

Heavy metals such as lead, excess copper, aluminum, mercury, chlorine, fluoride, nicotine, and exhaust fumes. These toxins can be released into the kidneys to be eliminated through the urine or released into the bile for elimination through the colon with adequate nutrients. When toxins accumulates and the body cannot remove them, the first place they will likely go is in the spaces between the cells such as the extra cellular space and when these spaces becomes overloaded, build-up of substances deposited in these extra cellular space may result in irritation and cause stiffness and excruciating pain, indicative of  fibromyalgia or rheumatism.

b). Metabolic waste

Metabolic waste that can result in elevated levels of amino acids and polypeptides in the bowels, which are further transformed by bowel bacteria into several toxic compounds and cause diseases.

 3) Viral, bacterial, fungal / yeast and parasitic invasion.

a). Viral:

Levels of herpes family EBV is known to be high in conditions that involve suppress immune system. Herpes virus lie dormant for long periods and reactivated to create havoc when it is compromised by allergy or any other reason. When the invasion continuous to progress the result is a general immunological response.

b). Bacterial, fungal/yeast and parasitic invasion:

Decreased secretion of pancreatic enzymes and bile will allow  bacterial overgrowth to penetrate into the absorptive surface of your intestine lining. Taking digestive supplements that will promote bile flow may be necessary.

4). Lack of hydrochloric acid (HCl) in the stomach

HCl is the main acid in the stomach required by pepsin enzyme to completely digest protein before it gets into the small intestine. However, if  your stomach is  not producing enough HCL, partially digested protein molecules will inappropriately enter your small intestine, damaging its lining making it more permeable than it normally should or 'leaky gut.' (LGS) allowing partially digested large protein molecules, parasites, metabolic wastes, toxins and bacteria to enter the bloodstream and stimulates allergic reaction throughout your body. Too much allergies can directly threaten your immune system and cause it to weaken. If this happens,  immune system  produce antibodies and attack  both the foreign proteins and its own tissues creating autoimmune reaction. In fibromyalgia, the autoimmune reaction target the muscles and triggers fibromyalgia attack. Unfortunately, after age 30, your ability to produce HCL is diminished as well as your ability to combine your foods.

Example of  incorrect food combining:

Consuming fruits, fruit juices / concentrated sugars with protein, starch and fats in the same meal e.g. Egg, toast and orange juice.

Fruits and sugars are not digested in the stomach but in the small intestine. When they combine with the rest of the foods in the stomach, they will stay more that 20 minutes and without enough HCl, the stomach will hold on to the entire mass causing putrefaction, gas and bloating. When fruit are consumed alone, it will pass through the stomach within  20-30 minutes. 

Other contributing factor: Low serotonine levels.

How you digest protein will determine your moods, and sleep pattern.  Amino acid tryptophan, a building block of protein, is the source of two neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrin that plays an important role in regulating your mood.  People suffering from severe depression are believed to  have low levels of serotonin. The body can make serotonin from the foods in the diet by improving digestion and absorption of protein and consuming adequate amount of it. Increasing amount of protein, however, without HCL can do more harm than good if not completely digested. When partially digested protein passes into the bloodstream and then cross the blood-brain barrier it may stimulate allergic reactions, triggering nervous disturbances meaning, the autoimmune reaction target the brain, and cause nervous disturbances. Serotonin is an important initiator for sleep because the synthesis of serotonin within the brain is dependent on the availability of the amino acid tryptophan.

5). Gluten intolerance:

Lack of intestinal enzymes in the intestine to break down plant protein gliadin, a component of gluten from wheat, rye, oats and barley. Undigested gliadin actually damage the intestinal lining and create chronic intestinal malabsorption. Partially digested protein metabolites are absorbed into the bloodstream and may affect the immune system and may alter brain chemistry causing symptoms such as depression and schizophrenia.  If you are sensitive to gluten you will experience bloating, cramping and diarrhea when consuming even a small amount of gluten products. Because gluten is protein, gluten intolerance may also arise from deficiency of HCL in the stomach to break down plant protein gliadin. When your gut lining is damaged by undigested, gliadin,  your intestine’s ability to produce lactase,  ( an enzyme to break down lactose,  a milk sugar) to glucose and galatose is impaired. This is why if you  are intolerant to gluten, you are likely to be intolerant to milk products. Consuming  even a small amount of dairy products cause you to experience cramps, nausea, abdominal bloating, pain, diarrhea, repeated bouts of ear infections, and flu. Lactose intolerance is believed to intensify with age and some maybe born without. Undigested lactose ferments and create toxins and is released into the bloodstream and suppresses the immune system.

6). During LGS, metabolic waste and microbial toxins that enter the bloodstream end up in the liver. LGS can overload the liver with toxin, and impairs its capacity to filter out these toxins, allowing these toxins to be reabsorbed into the bloodstream and cause intoxication and further weakens the immune system.

7) Stomach underactivity due to lack of HCl  is always accompanied by constipation. The need to clean the colon is important in the management of autoimmune disorders because bowel is a potential source of antigens, parasites and toxins and prevents accumulation of metabolic waste and these toxins

Because fibromyalgia is an autoimmune related condition, repairing a leaky gut to prevent allergies by improving digestion is the most important step, the foremost to prevent allergic reactions.

Suggestions to overcome fibromyalgia and other autoimmune disorders:

1) Improving digestion by

a). Training yourself to chew your foods well to stimulate enzyme amylase  to start digestion of starch. Digestive enzyme supplementation that contains betaine HCl, bile, pepsin and pancreatin with your meals that contains considerable amount of protein and fats. This method of supplementation my also benefit people who has no more gallbladder to enhance fat digestion and prevent constipation.

b). Following correct food combining by consuming fruits/  juices/concentrated sugars at least 20-30 minutes before meals or three hours after a meal, that contain protein, starch and fats.

d). Eat only when genuinely hungry.

 f). Sip beverage between mouthfuls (no ice cold beverages)

 2) Improve liver function by liver detoxification using herbal or homeopathic formula.

3). Improve colon function by colon detoxification using herbal blend  formula..  When normal bowel is restored, retrain bowels to normal and healthy bowel habit by using psyllium and foods high in dietary fibre especially  fibers from legumes and avoid all refined foods.

4). Dietary*

Follow food elimination such as:

a). Eliminate dairy, wheat, rye, oats, spelt, buckwheat, barley and corn products for 7 to 14 days to give the gastrointestinal system time to rid  themselves from the residues of all allergenic foods. Avoid all forms of dairy products including casein and whey.

 b). At the end of the test period of 7-14 days, add foods back to the diet  one by one at the rate of 3-4 days for each one. Adverse reactions are bound to occur more while problem foods are re-introduced.

No new foods are to be added until the reaction from the last one has completely cleared. Whenever a reaction occurs after consuming certain foods, avoid that food either temporarily or permanently.

Once you have determined your food sensitivities, train yourself to  avoid all of the offending foods. All tolerated foods should be eaten at intervals of 4 to 5 days or longer. This is known as a '_rotation' diet. Eating these foods on a rotated basis will prevent you to develope  new allergies to tolerated foods.

5). Drink at least 8 glasses of pure water daily. Water aid in digestion, elimination, detoxification and cleansing.

6). Include Essential fatty acids (EFA)

EFA are often deficient in those with fibromyalgia. How you manipulate your dietary fat intake can significantly increase or decrease  inflammation depending on the oil used. EFAs decrease inflammatory process/allergic responses by their ability to form prostaglandins,  thromoaxanes and leukotrines. Animal fats or arachidonic fatty acids enhances the inflammatory process through its conversion to  prostaglandin’s and leukotrine production.

Sources: mackerel, herring, sardines salmon, chicken, butter, olive oil, walnut, pecans, cashew, almonds, avocado, chicken.

7). Complete elimination of foods in the nightshade family.

These  foods are rich in solanum alkaloids which inhibit normal collagen repair in the joints or promote the inflammatory degeneration of the joint and muscular pains. These  are found in tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, peppers.

8).  Candidiacies is often involved in FMS

Avoid sugar, wheat, dairy products, fermented foods, molds and yeast. Yeast can cause irritation in the intestine and can provoke LGS.

Sample Recipes

                                  Gutty Tapioca-Chickpea Waffles

3/4   Cup          Tapioca starch

1/4   Cup          Bean or chickpea flour

1/4  Tsp.           Baking soda

1       Large        Egg or 1 cup ground cashew nuts ( vegetarian waffles)

1      Large       Overripe banana or plantain or1 apple, shredded

1/4     Cup               Olive oil or melted unsalted butter

1/2-1   Cup      Soy milk , rice milk, coconut or pure water

Combine all ingredients until very smooth consistency using  hand-held blender or food processor.  Pour evenly over  hot, well-greased waffle iron.

Makes 4-6 waffles.

Important: To increase dietary fibre, use 3/4 cup chickpea or bean flour and 1/4 cup tapioca starch. If you use this waffle as a sandwich alternate, use 1 cup ground sweet potato or carrots in place of fruit.

 Variation:

3/4     cup brown rice flour

1/4      cup tapioca starch or sweet potato flour or chickpea or bean flour.

*Nutritional Program*

 Due to severe malabsorption problems associated with LGS, the most effective and safest nutritional supplement is to give your body a broad-spectrum vitamin/mineral supplements that support all of the links in the nutritional chain, leaving nothing to chance and not over doing any single factor. Like a smorgasbord, the body picks and choose the nutrients it needs at any given time.

 Eliminating dairy products may cause shortage of calcium. Consume daily: soybean (tofu) soymilk, walnut, green vegetables, dried beans, sardines, salmon, sunflower seeds, almonds. If your diet cannot provide adequate calcium, magnesium and other minerals, it may be wise to take vitamin/mineral supplements with required digestive enzyme supplements to ensure proper absorption.

Any abnormal changes in the body triggers stress. Magnesium aids in the stress response and works best when balanced with calcium.

Although it cannot be stated that all fibromyalgia sufferers will achieve total healing by following my recommendations in this article, improving all factors that cause digestive weaknesses poses no threats to fibromyalgia sufferers. Indeed, it is a healthy regime. It provides a greater chance of survival.

Ref. 1. Rowland, D.W. “ Leaky Gut" DIGESTION: Inner Pathway To Health, p. 57,  

1996

        2. Murray M, and Pizzorno, J. “ Rheumatoid Arthritis" Encyclopedia of Natural

Medicine p. 493, 1991

        3. the editors of FC&A, Book of Proven Home Remedies and Natural Healing

Secrets p. 47&297, 199.

4. Murray M, and Pizzorno, J. “ Insomnia" Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine p. 392, 1991

          Other references:

McLaren,D, Rheumatoid arthritis, A Clour Atlas and Text of Diet Related Disorders, p. 306, 1992

Rowland, D, Listen To Your Body It Can Tell You What You Need, p. 10-111995 

Schroeder, H, The Poisons Around Us, 1974

Burton, G, Microbiology for the Health Sciences,1996

Erasmus, U, Fats that Heal, Fats that Kill, 1986

Null,G, Reverse the Aging Process Naturally, 1996.

Burton, GR, Engelkirk, PG, Microbiology for the Health Science, Lippincott, 1996

About the Author:

Nena Wirth worked for many years as dietitian in numerous hospitals in the USA and in Canada. At 46, she became permanently disabled due to numerous health challenges that impacted her life for over 40 years. Her experience battling many diseases led her to complete a master’s degree in nutrition at 62. Nena believe that
there is hope in natural healing regardless of age. Nena overcome fibromyalgia, diverticulitis, migraine, chronic dermatitis, bronchial asthma, sciatica, uncontrolled bladder disturbances and general anxiety disorder as a result of her studies in holistic nutrition.

Nena is author of two health books: Gutty Muffins and Root and Rice Connection Recipe Book For Diabetic/Hypoglycemia Lactose and Gluten Free. Available to the public soon is her third book: Gastrointestinal Disturbances in Relation to Poor Digestion.

NENA WIRTH MASc., Nutrition

EAT TO LIVE LEARNING CENTRE

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Waterloo, Ontario

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