Fibromyalgia is an intense disorder that presents with widespread pain all throughout the body, which is accompanied with fatigue, memory, issues, insomnia and mood fluctuations.
From a Chinese medicine standpoint, fibromyalgia can often stem from a weak digestive system. When the digestive system is not strong enough to perform its function of transforming and transporting food energy successfully to the muscles and brain, the system will exhibit pain, sleepless nights and brain fog due to lack of nourishment.
To help support the system better, here are 4 foods to avoid if you are suffering with fibromyalgia. Our patients who have done so reported a decrease of symptoms by about 50%.
Asparatame
Across-the-board, aspartame is something to avoid for everyone, but especially if you are suffering with fibromyalgia. Asparatame has been proven to cause decreased vision, permanent vision loss, buzzing and ringing in the ears, swelling of the limbs, bloating and high risk of infection.
Nightshade vegetables
While vegetables are always recommended, this particular group can cause inflammation. Nightshades are things like eggplants, green peppers, tomatillos, potatoes, and tomatoes. Check out the full list of nightshades.
Caffeine
So often fibromyalgia is paired with chronic fatigue syndrome, so reaching for caffeine seems to be the norm. However, caffeine acts as a mask and has more detriment then benefit in the long run.
Doctors say a diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables and lean protein will help much more in the long run than the instant gratification of caffeine.
Check out our article on what actually happens to the brain on caffeine.
Refined Sugar
Like Dr. Mark Hyman says, “treat sugar like a recreational substance”. In the case of fibromyalgia, many of these patients struggle with candida, another great reason to keep the sugar at bay.
Sugar is also very addicting, when we have a little bit of sugar, our brain is flooded with dopamine, which just makes us want more.
