Nutritional Support For The Pain of Fibromyalgia

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It could be Fibromyalgia (FM), if the pain is overwhelming and hurting all over, and gets even worse with touch. Many other symptoms can be related to FM; like, fatigue, weakness, headaches, diarrhea, irritable bowel, and poor sleep. Many have nervous system disorders like anxiety or depression. In some cases Doctors diagnosis FM as other diseases, such as Chronic Fatigue or Stress disorders because symptoms are often so similar. There is a pain point system that is used for FM diagnosis, so if your pain responds to a certain number of these they confirm it as Fibromyalgia!

Inflammation is often the culprit with any chronic pain issues. Research has identified some important contributing factors to FM problems, such as vitamin or mineral deficiencies and high stress levels among others.

Dr. Ron Hounninghake, Director of Riordan Clinic in Kansas says nearly all of his FM patients are deficient in Vitamin D levels. This is significant because any musculoskeletal pain means low Vitamin D and many types of pain will respond to these supplements.

Low glutathione levels, a principal anti-oxidant, made by the body plays a very important role in protecting the body from oxidative damage and if it is low can cause muscle stiffness and muscle pain. Glutathione is rich in the mineral, sulfur, and many people do not consume enough sulfur containing foods. Cruciferous vegetables high in sulfur include; brussel sprouts, cabbage, broccoli, eggs and garlic. These foods contain the sulfur needed for the body to convert to glutathione. Other supplements that are high in sulfur are NAC (N-acetyl cysteine) and ALA (alpha-lipoic acid) and MSM (methylsulfonylmethane).

Low magnesium levels can contribute to muscle pain. Studies have found that 45% of patients were deficient, this deficiency of magnesium causes muscles to shorten and creates spasms; one of the pains associated with Fibromyalgia. Vitamin B levels are also critical and needed to produce energy for muscle use. Having more muscle strength is critical to healing. Build up your muscle strength with low impact aerobic exercise for both oxygen and muscle tone. It will be painful and hard to do but just start slowly, add more weight bearing exercises as it gets easier; you will be amazed at the fact that it will work and you will feel better!

Amino Acid, D-Phenylalanine, can be very helpful at significantly reducing the pain, along with CoQ10 and amino acid, carnitine, helping the body improve energy levels. Omega 3’s which include compounds, EPA and DHA, produce prostaglandins an anti-inflammatory compound.

An easy Anti–Inflammatory Tea to help with the pain is Green Tea with fresh Ginger: chop up a 2 inch piece of ginger into 2 cups of filtered water, boil first and then simmer for 10 minutes, strain out ginger pieces, add either honey or stevia to sweeten; brew 2 bags or 2 tablespoons of loose green tea leaves in 2 cups of filtered water and steep 3 minutes, strain and add to ginger syrup. Sip tea hot or chill it for a refreshing drink that gives you a double dose of anti-inflammatory benefits.

Fibromyalgia is also a stress related immune disorder causing low levels of serotonin, an amino acid found in the brain, causing anxiety, post- traumatic stress disease (PTSD) and depression often involving deep seated emotional resentments. Many related issues are chemical sensitivities, allergies, and even prescription drug reactions. SAM-e can help with increasing the production of serotonin. The herbs, Turmeric, Skullcap, Ashwagandha, Kava and Wild yam can also help with the muscle pain.

In other research, other modalities that are beneficial, depending on the individual; are acupuncture, meditation, yoga, and regular monthly soft massage has helped. Dealing with FM can be frustrating and improvement incremental; that is why many doctors are resorting to writing prescriptions for the pain but which then leads to unwanted side effects. It may take some time but your body will respond over time with the help of the correct supplements and foods. Your body’s natural healing abilities will take over and you will feel better more naturally.

References:

www.genesistoday.net

www.thehealingkitchen.com

Healing Spices by Bharat Aggarwal

The Practicing Herbalist by Margie Flint

Cindy Burrows
Cynthia Burrows, M.T. CWC, Herbalist

Cynthia Burrows, from Austin, Texas, owns Cindy Burrows, Natural Health Consultant; assisting individuals with health issues they would like to change. She will set up a program giving choices of foods, herbs, teas and homeopathic suggestions. Cindy is past owner of Nature’s Healing Herbs, an Herbal, Green Tea, and Tincture product line, and a rare product line of Green Tea Foods. She has certificates for Herbalist at East West School of Herbology, and as Wellness Consultant with the Wellness Forum in Ohio.

Cindy is also a Medical Technologist, with a B.S. degree from Mansfield University in Mansfield Pa., she has been in healthcare for over 30 years. In 2005, she started using a new device founded in Europe, Quantum Biofeedback, “an energy rebalancing of the body”, by using our bodies electricity or frequency waves it can detect stress points in the body, she has added this to her consulting practice. She now has her Certification as a Biofeedback Specialist. She helps her clients by working with the synergy of herbs, food, homeopathy, and aromatherapy within her practice. She is a speaker, writer, and teacher. Cindy has been interviewed on TV; about the benefits of Green Tea and has been on radio about her small business tour to Ecuador.

Cindy has been an herbalist for over 20 years and has spent 6 years learning through the East West School of Herbology with Michael Tierra. She has studied Western, Chinese and Ayurvedic Herbs with a strong emphasis on nutrition. Along with many other continued studies of alternative and complementary medicine. She is a Certified Wellness Consultant, through a special program, The Wellness Forum, which has its nutrition program, now part of the curriculum at Ohio State University, providing educational seminars and workshops designed to impart relevant nutrition information to individuals to take control of their own health. These programs give healthier options and choices that can impact your longevity and quality of life. Cindy has been a speaker to many groups and has conducted many of her own classes on food and healthy life style programs.

Cindy has been involved with a hands-on healing program for the past 4 years and offers energy healing, through donation only, to anyone who needs her services.

She is Co-president of the Austin Herb Society and a member of the American Herbalist Guild. Cynthia has been a board member on many programs in the past including; La Sertoma, Arthritis Foundation, Toastmasters International, National Association of Female Executives, Handicapped Equestrian Learning Program, Entrepreneurs Association, and Austin Integrated Health Care Program.

Cindy also loves nature, animals, reading, blending teas, juices, etc.; likes to hike, and work with plants and, of course, cooking., mostly vegetarian.
Cindy has an adventurous streak.
She has organized and taken tours with business and artists groups to Big Bend, Texas, New Mexico, USA, and Ecuador, South America.