Fibromyalgia

06/07/2018

This article is from fibromyalgianewstoday.com

"Fibromyalgia: Inflammatory vs Anti-inflammatory Foods

Fibromyalgia is an inflammatory illness, so it stands to reason that we should avoid foods that increase our inflammation and bring on flares. At the end, I will tell you the best foods to eat.

You know your body best, so you know some foods that will trigger a flare for you. Really work on avoiding those. Packaged foods that contain preservatives and food coloring should be avoided. Self medicating with caffeine is counterproductive, but I have done it anyway on numerous occasions when I’ve been so tired. It’s a huge temptation, right?

Sugar, and carbs made with white flour, can cause a crash soon after consumption. I am a big proponent of clean eating, although occasionally I will eat white flour carbs. Inevitably my body will remind me why it was not a good idea. Can you relate?

Artificial sweeteners and foods sweetened with them can wreak havoc as they are laden with chemicals. Splenda can enlarge both the liver and kidneys and shrink the thymus glands. Aspartame can cause hallucinations, seizures, and brain tumors. Artificial sweeteners are not good for anyone really, but those of us with fibromyalgia tend to be very sensitive to chemicals.

Read your labels carefully and avoid hydrogenated oils, high fructose corn syrup, ingredients you can’t pronounce (the fewer ingredients the better), and GMO (genetically modified) foods.

Avoid highly inflammatory ‘nightshade’ foods:
Bell pepper (sweet pepper)
Italian pepper
Chile pepper
Anaheim
Ancho
Cascabel
Chipotle
Fresno
Guajillo
Habañero
Jalapeño
Pasada
Pasilla
Pimiento / Pimento
Poblano
Serrano
Eggplant
White Potatoes
Tomatillo
SPICES
Cayenne
Chili powder (some ingredients of)
Curry (some ingredients of)
Paprika
SAUCES
Ketchup
Tabasco
CULINARY FRUIT
Goldenberry (Cape gooseberry)
Goji berry
Pepino
Tamarillo

Changes I highly recommend, as a Certified Nutrition Consultant (make them slowly):

Natural sweeteners such as real maple syrup and raw honey.
Healthy protein such as wild caught salmon, free-range chicken, grass-fed beef.
Lots of fruits and veggies, organic, locally grown and pesticide free.
Gluten-free when you can. I’m not crazy about gluten-free breads, but I do enjoy sourdough bread at times. It’s really trial and error.
Nuts and seeds, preferably raw, such as walnuts, cashews, pistachios, macadamia, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and almonds, chia seeds, and flax seeds.
Lots of leafy greens such as kale, spinach, and leafy lettuces. These are great in smoothies and you won’t even taste them.
Strawberries, blueberries, cherries, raspberries, pineapple, and oranges.
Nut milks such as almond and cashew.
Good oils such as virgin olive oil and coconut oil.
Bok choy, celery, beets, and broccoli
Turmeric, and ginger."

Comment: This is a general list of foods to avoid and eat for fibromyalgia patients but to know the specific diet in a patient I order certain tests as a complete hair analysis, etc. I recommend this general list of foods for fibromyalgia patients during the complete detoxification program before receiving the lab results. In order to know about the importance of a complete hair analysis please read the article on it on this page.

06/05/2018

This article is from www.arthritis-health.com

"Foods to Avoid with Fibromyalgia

Sensitivity to pain is a well-known symptom of fibromyalgia. A lesser-known symptom is an enhanced sensitivity to various substances, including food.

Following an anti-inflammatory diet and being aware of food sensitivities can help people with fibromyalgia get the most out of their food while avoiding symptom flare-ups.

Foods Likely to Make Symptoms Worse
The following foods may worsen symptoms by increasing inflammation, aggravating food sensitivities, or both.

Sugar. Reducing or eliminating sugar can have a significant impact on health for two reasons. First, the medical literature has shown that eating foods high in sugar is linked to increased fibromyalgia pain.
Second, limiting sugar helps control weight. Being overweight puts extra stress on the body, contributing to fatigue, and stored fat may lead to inflammation in some cases. Sugar is a well-known ingredient in candy and soft drinks but is also in foods considered to be healthy—such as yogurt. When checking nutrition labels, it is helpful to know that glucose, fructose, and sucrose are other names for sugar.
See The Ins and Outs of an Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Carbohydrates. Refined carbohydrates such as cookies, many breads, pastries, and white rice are digested quickly, causing blood sugar levels to spike. The effect does not last, however, and blood sugar soon drops, making the individual hungry again. These fluctuations can make the fatigue and pain of fibromyalgia worse and contribute to overeating.
When eating carbohydrates, whole wheat sources should be chosen. Whole wheat foods digest more slowly, avoiding the highs and lows that occur with other carbohydrates.

One small research study focused on women diagnosed with fibromyalgia who also had irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and a food intolerance. (Many people with fibromyalgia also have irritable bowel syndrome.)
When the women cut back on eating a specific group of carbohydrates, they reported a 50% reduction in irritable bowel symptoms and a 22% decrease in other symptoms, including pain. The restricted carbohydrates were a type not well absorbed in the small intestine. Such carbohydrates include lactose (an ingredient in milk and other dairy foods), fructose (in some fruits and vegetables, honey, and other sweeteners), and grains.
Processed foods. Sugar and unhealthy fats, which increase inflammation, are a large part of many processed foods. Flavorings and preservatives commonly used in processed foods also may trigger food sensitivities.
See What Are Anti-Inflammatory Foods?

Unhealthy fats. Vegetable oils, such as corn oil, safflower oil, and peanut oil, have an inflammatory effect, especially when used to fry food. The medical literature has linked fried foods to worsening of fibromyalgia symptoms.3 Unhealthy oils are a common ingredient in many processed foods, such as cookies, doughnuts, and crackers. Pizza and cheese are also major sources of unhealthy fats.
Alcohol. While some research has found moderate alcohol use can ease symptoms,6 some people with fibromyalgia report alcohol causes symptoms to flare. Drinking alcohol while taking certain medications prescribed for fibromyalgia—such as anticonvulsants, antidepressants, and acetaminophen (an ingredient in many medications) could cause harmful interactions.

Ingredients That May Trigger Fibromyalgia Symptoms
This is not a comprehensive list of foods that may trigger symptoms. Other foods and ingredients that may cause symptoms for some people include, but are not limited to:

Gluten
Red meat
Fruits and vegetables in the nightshade family, such as tomatoes, eggplant, white potatoes, green peppers, goji berries, and both the eye-watering chilies and the sweeter bell peppers.
Dairy products
Eggs
Caffeine

Learning About the Body's Reaction to Certain Foods
If a food appears to trigger symptoms in an individual, eliminating the food entirely for several weeks is a good way to determine its impact. Keeping a detailed food log to track symptoms when the food is removed and added back may also be helpful.

Reducing sugar and sugary foods can have an additional benefit, helping the individual overcome a craving for sweets for the long term.

The doctor can be a good resource on food sensitivities and should be informed of problems encountered with different foods and ingredients. In some cases, the doctor may suggest testing for food sensitivities or allergies to narrow the list of potential problem foods."

Comment: This is a general list of foods to avoid for fibromyalgia patients but to know the specific diet in a patient I order certain tests as a complete hair analysis, etc. I recommend this general list of foods for fibromyalgia patients during the complete detoxification program before receiving the lab results. In order to know about the importance of a complete hair analysis please read the article on it on this page.

06/04/2018

Fibromyalgia Diet

This article is from www.healthline.com:

"Aim for a well-rounded diet
Eating a balanced diet is a good idea for anyone, regardless of whether you have fibromyalgia. That diet should include fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, fermented dairy, and lean protein, such as chicken or fish. Avoid unhealthy foods, including anything processed or fried, and excessive amounts of saturated fats. Also, limit the amount of salt and sugar in your diet.

Eat for energy
Fibromyalgia can make you feel tired and worn out. Eating certain foods can give you more energy. Avoid sweets, which will only give you a quick sugar boost. Your body will burn right through them, and then you’ll crash. Instead, eat foods that will give you more energy to get through your day. Combine protein or fats with carbohydrates to slow down their absorption. Choose fresh, whole foods high in fiber and low in added sugars, such as:

almonds and other nuts and seeds
broccoli
beans
dark leafy greens
avocado

While there is no single “fibromyalgia diet,” research does reveal that certain ingredients or types of food may be problematic for those with fibromyalgia. These include:

FODMAPs
gluten-containing foods
food additives or food chemicals
excitotoxins, such as MSG
Some people do confirm that they feel better when they eat — or avoid — certain types of foods. You may need to keep a food diary to find out which foods seem to trigger or improve your symptoms. Read on to learn about foods that may negatively affect your symptoms.

FODMAPs
Fermentable oligosaccharide, disaccharide, monosaccharide, and polyols (FODMAPs) are certain carbohydrates that are fermented by gut bacteria in the digestive tract and may promote symptoms in some people. A recent study found that those with fibromyalgia had improved symptoms and quality of life and lost weight when following a low-FODMAP diet.

Gluten sensitivity
A 2014 study reported that non-celiac gluten sensitivity may be an underlying cause of fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia patients who were negative for celiac disease still had significant improvements in pain and/or quality of life indicators when following a gluten-free diet.

Excitotoxins and food additives
In 2016, the journal Pain Management reported that a one-month elimination of aspartame, monosodium glutamate (MSG), and altered proteins — like those found in protein isolates and hydrolyzed protein — resulted in significantly improved pain symptoms. When patients added those substances back into their diets, their symptoms returned or worsened.

Maintain a healthy weight
Another benefit of eating a healthy diet is that it can help keep your weight under control. One study in the journal Clinical Rheumatology found that people with fibromyalgia who are also obese enjoyed a better quality of life once they lost weight. They had less pain and depression, fewer tender points, and they slept better after taking off a few pounds. This study suggests that weight loss can be an important part of fibromyalgia treatment."

Comment: It's also better to avoid all the foods of the nightshade family: tomatoes, eggplant, white potatoes, green peppers, goji berries, and both the eye-watering chilies and the sweeter bell peppers. This is a general diet for fibromyalgia patients but to know the specific diet in a patient I order certain tests as a complete hair analysis, etc. I recommend this general diet during the complete detoxification program before receiving the lab results. In order to know about the importance of a complete hair analysis please read the article on it on this page.

10/26/2017

Fibromyalgia patients usually have insomnia. This is not only a consequence of pain but as the study below shows is one of the main factors contributing to the abnormal pain processing and central sensitization affecting fibromyalgia patients. A complete hair analysis may reveal the root factors of insomnia. There is an article on hair analysis at the top of this page.

Nat Rev Rheumatol. 2015 Sep;11(9):513-20. doi: 10.1038/nrrheum.2015.56. Epub 2015 Apr 28. Review

10/26/2017

Your financial data is protected with bank-level safeguards and our service is utilized by the nation’s top banks; now that’s a service you can trust.

10/15/2017

Brain scans reveal that people with fibromyalgia are not as able to prepare for pain as healthy people, and they are less likely to respond to the promise of pain relief. This altered brain processing could explain why people with the mysterious chronic ailment feel pain more intensely and don't respond as well to narcotic painkillers, the researchers said. Their findings are published in the Nov. 5 issue of the journal Arthritis & Rheumatism.

07/04/2017

This scientific study shows that two inflammatory substances, IL-6 and IL-8 are produced in excess in fibromyalgia patients as part of a chronic inflammation. They contribute to pain, insomnia, fatigue, etc. which are very common symptoms in fibromyalgia patients. In my experience, it's possible to fix chronic inflammation following a complete natural health program.
A hair analysis is recommended to know how stress is affecting health and producing chronic inflammation. For more information on the hair analysis, you may read the articles on it and fibromyalgia at the beginning of the page.
Chronic mental/emotional stress, incorrect lifestyle (incorrect diet, negative emotions, etc.), environmental pollutants, eating of gluten/GMOs foods, an excess of body fat, etc. may lead to chronic inflammation.

09/21/2015

HAIR ANALYSIS
(Spanish: EXAMEN DE PELO: LUEGO DE LA PARTE EN INGLÉS PUEDE LEER LA PARTE EN ESPAÑOL.)

Hair tissue mineral analysis simply stated, is a screening test that measures the mineral content of your hair. However, a hair tissue mineral analysis is much more than a test for minerals.

Mineral Blueprint
Providing a mineral blueprint of one’s biochemistry, a hair tissue mineral analysis can provide pertinent information about your metabolic rate, energy levels, sugar and carbohydrate tolerance, stage of stress, immune system and glandular activity.
A hair tissue mineral analysis performed is a screening test for the level of 20 minerals and toxic metals in a sample of hair. It is a tissue mineral biopsy that is non-invasive, relatively inexpensive and extremely accurate. The laboratory uses only the most advanced and sophisticated instrumentation available today, the Perkin Elmer Elan 9000 ICP Mass Spectrometer to assess mineral levels in parts per million or parts per billion.
A hair tissue mineral analysis is considered a standard test used around the world for the biological monitoring of trace elements and toxic metals in humans and animals species. The same technology is used for soil testing and testing of rock samples to detect mineral levels.
Hair, like all other body tissues, contains minerals that are deposited as the hair grows. Although the hair is dead, the minerals remain as the hair continues to grow out. A sample of hair cut close to the scalp provides information about the mineral activity in the hair that took place over the past three to four months, depending on the rate of hair growth.
It's not necessary to come to the clinic to cut your hair sample. You yourself can cut the hair sample following the instructions and send it to the laboratory with my order from any state in the EE.UU.

Why is Our Hair Analysis Unique?
Several factors combine to make our hair tissue mineral analysis the best in the industry!
I order the hair test with a laboratory that does not wash the hair at the laboratory. Washing hair samples at the laboratory have been shown to erratically wash out the water-soluble elements. This creates much less accurate results. In a 2001 study in the Journal of the AMA (Seidel, S. et al., Assessment of Commercial Laboratories Performing Hair Mineral Analysis, JAMA, 285(1) Jan 3:67-72.) the two laboratories that did not wash the hair showed superb reliability.
The laboratory uses quality control procedures. These include known controls which are tested at the beginning, middle and end of every batch of hair samples to ensure the accuracy of the results.
The laboratory automatically retests any reading that is out of a normally expected range, provided sufficient hair is available for a second sample.
Test results are printed on an easy-to-read graph, unlike many of the other laboratories. This is a great benefit for both doctors and their patients as well. The printed graph includes the mineral results, major mineral ratios, and the oxidation type.

What is the Minimum Amount of Hair to Perform the Multi-Element Mineral Assay?
We currently require a minimum of 125 mgs of hair to complete the entire mineral assay.

Are There Any Special Requirements For Submitting a Hair Sample?
The accuracy and reliability of the test results and interpretation are based upon the laboratory receiving a properly collected hair sample that is clean and free from external contaminants. The ideal hair sample should be collected prior to subjecting the hair to any treatments such as bleaching, permanents, or dyes. This also includes the application of hair sprays, hair creams, gels, and oils. Additionally, the hair should be washed within 24 hours of sampling and must be dry for at least 4 hours after shampooing.
There are several cautions and concerns regarding hair products. Most shampoos, rinses, and conditioners do not contain metals and will not affect the accuracy of the analysis. However, medicated shampoos of concern are Selsun Blue(selenium) and Head and Shoulders(zinc). Grecian Formula contains lead and iron.
The hair sample should be cut as close to the scalp as possible and should be a maximum of 1.5 inches in length. The distal end of the hair longer than 1.5 inches should be discarded. The recommended location for collection would be the nape of the neck.
It is very important to place the hair sample in the sampling envelope provided before sending to the laboratory. Do not place hair samples in plastic baggies or aluminum foil. Do not tape or staple the hair sample to the scale or sampling envelope.
Do not mix different types of hair such as head hair with p***c hair or beard hair in the same sampling envelope. We strongly recommend using head hair only due to its consistent rate of growth. P***c and other body hair should only be used if sufficient head hair is not available.

How Long Does It Take To Have My Hair Tested?
The laboratory procedure generally takes 2-3 weeks.

In Spanish:

Examen de Pelo
El examen de pelo es una prueba que mide el contenido mineral del pelo. Sin embargo, un examen de pelo es mucho más que un examen de minerales. Este examen no solo es para personas con problemas del pelo sino también para la salud como se explica abajo. No importa si tiene mucho pelo de todas maneras se debe hacer el examen por todo lo que es explicado más adelante. Después de recibir los resultados del examen yo diseño un plan de tratamiento con productos o suplementos naturales para corregir los desequilibrios que se hayan detectado relacionados con problemas de salud o para prevención en caso de que se sienta bien o los exámenes regulares no hayan detectado nada. Si necesita que le crezca pelo también le va a servir para eso pues va a corregir las raíces del problema del pelo pero repito que no solo es para problemas del pelo como caída de cabello, etc. sino para la salud en general y prevención.
Examen de Minerales del Pelo
El examen de minerales del cabello puede proporcionar información pertinente acerca de su tasa metabólica, niveles de energía (si tiene fatiga el exámen de pelo puede dar luz sobre la causa de la fatiga), tolerancia al azúcar y carbohidratos, la etapa de estrés, el sistema inmunológico y la actividad glandular. Es un examen excelente para detectar las raíces de las enfermedades y no solo es para que lo hagan personas enfermas sino por prevención o personas que se sienten bien o no les sale nada en los exámenes convencionales lo cual no quiere decir que tengan una salud optima. Es importante recalcar que todas las enfermedades inclusos las peores como el cáncer son silenciosas al principio incluso por meses o años y puede que no se alcancen a detectar en los exámenes convencionales. De esta manera toda persona que supuestamente cree estar bien de salud también debe hacer este examen de cabello para saber si en realidad lo está o no. Se puede hacer el examen de pelo en adultos y niños que vivan en EE.UU. y también en cualquier otro país. La persona no necesita venir a la clínica para tomar la muestra de pelo; puede cortarse la muestra de pelo siguiendo las instrucciones y mandarla al laboratorio, con mi orden, desde cualquier estado de EE.UU. y otro país. TODO EL TRÁMITE INCLUIDO EL PAGO DEL EXAMEN SE PUEDE HACER POR INTERNET Y CORREO REGULAR. Contactar y dejar mensaje para mayores detalles al respecto si vive en otro estado o fuera de EE.UU.
Un examen o análisis mineral del pelo es una prueba de detección del nivel de 20 minerales y metales tóxicos en una muestra de cabello. Se trata de un examen que no es invasivo (quiere decir que no necesita un procedimiento complicado para tomar la muestra de pelo), relativamente barato y extremadamente preciso. El laboratorio utiliza sólo la instrumentación más avanzada y sofisticada disponible en la actualidad, el Perkin Elmer Elan 9000 ICP Espectrómetro de Masas para evaluar los niveles de minerales en partes por millón o partes por mil millones.
Un análisis mineral del pelo se considera una prueba estándar que se utiliza en todo el mundo para el control biológico de los oligoelementos y metales tóxicos en los seres humanos y especies animales. La misma tecnología se utiliza para el análisis de suelos y análisis de muestras de roca para detectar los niveles de minerales.
El pelo, al igual que todos los tejidos del cuerpo, contiene minerales que se depositan cuando el pelo crece. Aunque el pelo está mu**to, los minerales permanecen cuando el pelo sigue creciendo hacia fuera. Una muestra de cabello se corta lo mas cerca del cuero cabelludo y proporciona información acerca de la actividad mineral en el pelo, que tuvo lugar durante los últimos tres a cuatro meses, dependiendo de la tasa de crecimiento del pelo.

¿Por qué nuestro examen de pelo es único?
¡Varios factores se combinan para hacer de nuestro análisis mineral del pelo el mejor! No se lava el pelo en el laboratorio. El lavado de las muestras de pelo en el laboratorio ha demostrado que lava erráticamente los elementos solubles en agua. Esto genera resultados mucho menos precisos. En un estudio realizado en 2001 en la Revista de la AMA (Seidel, S. et al., Evaluación de los laboratorios comerciales Realización de análisis mineral del cabello, JAMA, 285 (1) Jan 3:67-72.) Los dos laboratorios en que no se lavó el cabello mostraron una elevada confiabilidad (o un resultado preciso).
El laboratorio utiliza procedimientos de control de calidad. Estos incluyen controles conocidos que se ponen a prueba al principio, mitad y final de cada lote de muestras de pelo para asegurar la exactitud de los resultados.
El laboratorio automáticamente hace repeticiones de pruebas de cualquier lectura que está fuera de un rango que normalmente se espera, siempre y cuando la muestra de pelo que se reciba sea suficiente.
Los resultados del examen se imprimen en una gráfica de fácil lectura a diferencia de otros laboratorios. Este es un gran beneficio tanto para los médicos y sus pacientes también. La gráfica incluye los resultados minerales, proporciones de los principales minerales y el tipo de oxidación.

¿Cuál es la cantidad mínima de pelo para realizar el examen de minerales?
En este momento requieren un mínimo de 125 miligramos (mg) de pelo para completar el examen mineral completo. Esta cantidad es muy pequeña pues es menos de 1 gramo de pelo.

¿Existen requisitos especiales para la presentación de una muestra de pelo?
La precisión y la confiabilidad de los resultados de las pruebas y la interpretación se basan en que el laboratorio reciba una muestra de pelo tomada correctamente que esté limpia y libre de contaminantes externos. La muestra de pelo ideal debe ser tomada o cortada antes de someter el pelo a los tratamientos tales como blanqueo, las permanentes, o colorantes. Esto también incluye la aplicación de aerosoles para el cabello, cremas para el cabello, geles y aceites. Además, el pelo se debe lavar dentro de las 24 horas del corte de la muestra y debe estar seco durante al menos 4 horas después del champú.
Hay varias advertencias con respecto a productos para el cabello. La mayoría de los champús, enjuagues y acondicionadores no contienen metales y no afectará a la precisión del análisis. Sin embargo, los champús medicados pueden contener metales como Selsum Azul (selenio) y Cabeza y hombros (zinc). Grecian Formula contiene plomo y hierro.
La muestra de cabello se debe cortar tan cerca del cuero cabelludo como sea posible y debe ser de un máximo de 4 centímetros o 1,5 pulgadas de longitud. El extremo distal del pelo más largo que 4 centímetros o 1,5 pulgadas debe ser desechado. La ubicación recomendada para el corte de la muestra es la parte de atrás de la cabeza.
Es muy importante colocar la muestra de pelo en el sobre pequeño que va con la orden antes de enviarlo al laboratorio. No coloque las muestras de cabello en bolsas de plástico o papel de aluminio. No tape o grape la muestra de pelo a la balanza de papel o al sobre pequeño.
No mezcle diferentes tipos de pelo como cabello de la cabeza con el pelo púbico o el pelo de la barba en el sobre. Le recomendamos el uso de pelo de la cabeza para la muestra solamente debido a su tasa constante de crecimiento. Pelo del p***s sólo se debe utilizar si el cabello cabeza no hay suficiente o ha sido teñido. Si se ha recién tinturado se debe esperar de 6 a 8 semanas para que crezcan 2 a 3 centímetros de cabello sin pintar y se corta la muestra de la misma manera descrita desechando la parte de cabello pintada. Para saber bien como cortar la muestra de pelo y pesarla por favor lea el artículo en esta página INSTRUCCIONES PARA CORTAR LA MUESTRA DE PELO.

¿Cuánto tiempo se tarda en tener mis resultados del examen de pelo y cómo ordeno el examen de pelo?
De 2 a 3 semanas. Si vive en EE.UU. el primer paso para ordenarlo es pagarlo a través del Banco Chase (para mayores detalles u otras opciones puede mandarme mensaje). Si vive fuera de EE.UU. la forma más segura y rápida es ir a la página de PSE: www.pse.com.co/inicio. Otra opción dependiendo del país es PayPal: www.paypal.com/es/home y enviando un giro electrónico a mi correo drfernandoarias@gmail.com por una cantidad equivalente a 250 dólares y luego le mando la orden del examen de pelo a su dirección para que siguiendo las sencillas instrucciones corte la muestra de pelo de la parte de atrás de la cabeza como muestran las fotos abajo y la manda por correo regular en el sobre que va con mi orden al laboratorio en EE.UU. Luego de recibir los resultados se los mando a su correo electrónico y se los explico y lo que hay que hacer para corregir con productos naturales o suplementos lo que no le haya salido bien en su examen de pelo. Le puedo también mandar todos los productos naturales desde aquí después de haberlos pagado. Como explique anteriormente TODO SE PUEDE HACER POR INTERNET Y CORREO REGULAR INCLUIDO EL ENVÍO DE LOS PRODUCTOS NATURALES SIN IMPORTAR LA DISTANCIA.

09/21/2015

Fibromyalgia and Hair Analysis

Fibromyalgia is a widespread pain in the muscles and fibrous tissues of the body due to a dysfunction of the central nervous system. It is becoming a more common diagnosis, especially when other chronic pain conditions are ruled out. Often muscle pain is accompanied by tenderness and generalized fatigue. It's very important people with fibromyalgia have a hair analysis done (Please, read the article on hair analysis on the top of this page). What does hair analysis research reveal about fibromyalgia, and what can modern nutrition offer for this painful condition?

Pain And The Adrenal Glands
Many pain syndromes are associated with adrenal insufficiency. Most people with the diagnosis of fibromyalgia are slow oxidizers (slow metabolic rate). This means their adrenal glands are underactive. Their hair calcium and magnesium levels are often very high, while their sodium and potassium levels are low.

This biochemical pattern can produce pain for several reasons. The adrenal glands produce the major anti-inflammatory hormones, cortisone, and cortisol. Lowered production of these hormones for any reason can cause or aggravate pain syndromes.

The adrenal glands also produce aldosterone. Aldosterone causes sodium retention. Sodium is a highly water-soluble mineral. One of its functions is to keep calcium in an ionized form in the blood. This helps prevent calcium deposition in the tissues.

Low tissue sodium from weak adrenal glands can permit calcium to precipitate out of the blood and deposit in various tissues, including muscle tissue. A tendency for calcium deposition is indicated on a mineral analysis by a very high calcium level. Calcium deposition is another possible cause of pain.

Imbalanced Sodium/Potassium Ratios
Imbalance of the sodium/potassium ratio is often noted on the hair analyses of those with fibromyalgia. Dr. Paul Eck's research indicates that the sodium/ potassium ratio on a hair mineral analysis reflects the balance between the pro-inflammatory and the anti-inflammatory hormones.

When the ratio is elevated above 4.50:1, it indicates a predominance of pro-inflammatory hormones. This may result in pain. When the sodium/potassium ratio is less than 2.5:1, it indicates catabolism or tissue breakdown. This may also cause pain to occur.

Biounavailable Magnesium
High levels of calcium and magnesium on a hair mineral test often indicate bio-unavailability of these minerals. This means that some of the calcium and magnesium are in a form that is not usable in the body.

All the mechanisms of biological availability are not understood. However, it is not enough to have a mineral present in the body. It must be in a form, compound or valence that is usable by the body.

For example, many older people have plenty of calcium deposited in their arteries or joints. But the calcium is not available for use in their bones. This is called tissue calcification and it's very common.

Calcium, and particularly magnesium, are essential for energy production and relaxation of the muscles. Deficient or biounavailable magnesium disturbs energy metabolism in the muscles. This may help account for the pain of fibromyalgia. Magnesium supplements or even injections can have dramatic effects upon fibromyalgia patients.

It does not matter if blood tests show adequate serum magnesium. Magnesium may become depleted from the tissues long before serum magnesium levels decrease.

Magnesium is commonly deficient in modern diets. Sources include whole grains, nuts, and seeds. A recent study compared the magnesium levels in organic and commercial foods. It revealed organically grown corn had 300% more magnesium than chemically fertilized corn (J. Applied Nutrition, Vol. 45, #1, 1993).

Toxic Metals
Toxic metal accumulation may contribute to some cases of fibromyalgia. Among the most commonly seen is copper toxicity. Copper is required for energy production in the electron transport system. About 30% of our cellular energy in the form of ATP is generated here. A copper imbalance profoundly affects energy production. Cadmium, mercury, and lead may also contribute to symptoms of muscle pain and weakness.

Other Aspects Of Muscle Pain
Pain is often an indicator of tissue starvation or tissue damage. A person with fibromyalgia may be deficient in protective nutrients such as the antioxidants - vitamins A, C, E, and selenium.

A deficiency of any nutrient involved in energy production could contribute to symptoms of fibromyalgia. These include the B vitamins, manganese, chromium, zinc, and essential amino acids. Even if the diet is sufficient, impaired digestion and absorption could create an imbalance that is not correctable through diet alone. For this reason, an individualized nutrition program is usually best.

Deficiency of the essential fatty acids of the omega-3 and omega-6 group may also contribute to pain syndromes. These oils are found in foods such as flaxseed oil, black currant seed oil, salmon oil, borage oil or primrose oil. Most people do not consume adequate amounts of these oils.

Though it may be hard to believe, food allergies are another factor in some cases of fibromyalgia. Elimination diets and rotation of sensitive foods may prove very beneficial for people with fibromyalgia. By combining all these aspects of scientific nutrition, many cases of fibromyalgia can improve or even heal.