Fibromyalgia or Food Allergies

Is it Fibromyalgia or Food Allergies?

Fibromyalgia or Food Allergies

If you are suffering from the condition of fibro, chances are that you may have wondered whether or not it’s possible to modify your diet and improve your signs and symptoms.

While it’s true that research has not yet confirmed that there are specific foods that should be avoided or added to your diet, it could be worthwhile to take a look at the way foods to affect the way you feel.

Experts agree that there are not many great studies available that have considered the way diet can affect the symptoms of fibro, but there is a lot that can be gathered by what individuals with this condition are saying.

It is possible that food allergies are causing your fibro flares. The following are some of the ways that food can play a role in your fibro and how you can make changes in your diet to support your health.

How do Particular Foods Make You Feel?

Medical experts say that there are lots of individuals with the condition of fibro that also have certain food sensitivities, but this will vary from one person to the next.

For example, some may be sensitive to certain preservatives, dairy, MSG, gluten, eggs, and other common allergy triggers.

One study stated that 42 percent of individuals with the condition of fibro claim that their symptoms flare after consuming specific foods.

The best way to begin to identify foods that could be aggravating your symptoms is to keep a food journal for some time.

Take the time to jot down the foods that you eat during the day and note any symptoms that you felt afterward. This is very helpful because it can reveal whether symptoms flare after consuming certain foods.

Begin to Eliminate Certain Foods

When individuals with the condition of fibro also have lots of symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome- or IBS- it is recommended that they try the elimination challenge diet.

This means that they eliminate a specific food that they suspect they have a sensitivity to for at least 6-8 weeks.

After this time, they add it back to their diet and see how they feel. Most often, the foods that are eliminated first are foods that contain gluten or dairy products.

Once you have made the discovery that there are specific foods that you have a sensitivity to and you eliminate it completely from your diet, it can make a difference in the way you feel.

Many individuals report that they have a reduction in symptoms such as pain, fatigue, and even IBS symptoms such as constipation and bloating. If you believe that you have sensitivities or allergies to certain foods, speak with your physician.

In some cases, your regular physician is likely to refer you to an allergy specialist for further allergy tests.

Finally, be sure to check with a registered dietician so that you can be sure that you’re not missing out on necessary nutrients when you begin to eliminate foods from your diet.

Of course, it makes perfect sense for those individuals with fibro- as well as anyone else- to do whatever you can to eat a diet that is rich in whole grains, lean protein, fruits, and veggies.

A well-balanced diet is sure to give you the energy you need to remain active and can also give your overall health a boost.

However, when you are struggling with the symptom of fatigue, it can be quite difficult to cook a nutritious meal. Therefore, it’s a good idea to choose healthy foods that don’t require a whole lot of prep work.

Keep in mind that choosing the right foods can help you to keep your energy levels at a more constant level as well as help prevent the symptom of fatigue and others associated with the condition of fibro.

For example, certain choices regarding your diet, such as eating several small meals instead of three large meals during the day can help to keep your energy level at a constant, instead of fluctuating.

If you start feeling fatigued coming on at three in the afternoon, grab a protein-filled snack instead of a candy bar.

Of course, you want to be sure that you always eat a healthy breakfast consisting of whole grains and protein.

Try a bowl of oatmeal and a boiled egg. This will keep your blood sugar from spiking and will give you the energy you need to get through the morning- even when you’re feeling tired and your body aches are flaring up.

On the other hand, you must keep in mind that diet is not the only factor in your energy levels. Making sure that you get enough sleep and always being active during the day can help as well.

Check Supplements

If you have chosen to take a natural, holistic approach to treat your fibro, you must inform your physician about any supplements that you are taking.

There are some of them, such as SAMe that can have negative interactions with fibro medications as well as other significant side effects.

In addition to checking on possible side effects and drug interactions, your physician will also be able to help you to better understand what specific supplements can and cannot do for your overall health.

Direct Your Focus on Your Well-Being

As you start making changes in your diet, you must keep in mind that individuals with the condition of fibro typically will benefit the most by taking a variety of different approaches to symptom management.

In addition to leading an overall healthy lifestyle, including making sure that you are getting the proper nutrition, as well as taking medications that are prescribed by your physician to manage the various signs and symptoms of this condition, there are many other treatments you may consider exploring.

For example, consider looking into therapies such as yoga, deep breathing exercises, massage, tai chi, and more. Keep in mind that everyone is different and will, therefore, have different results with various treatments- some will work better than others.

Just remember that in some cases, fibro flares can be caused by food allergies or sensitivities. However, these can be controlled by food elimination experimentation.

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