FIBROMYALGIA FACTS

FIBROMYALGIA FACTS

FIBROMYALGIA

My heart goes out to all the people suffering from fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. This is a life-debilitating disease that some doctors often dismiss. I however believe that there are many causes to this and I have had much success with my clients who follow my meals plans and supplement regimes. Fibromyalgia (FM) is a disorder characterized by soft tissue pain and fatigue, which is ironic because even though they are extremely tired, the pain causes an inability to sleep. Here are some of the Fibromyalgia Facts.

Vasoactive neuropeptides play a huge role in FM and Chronic Fatigue. In a healthy body, these neuropeptides are eagerly catalyzed to small peptide fragments that activate hormones, neurotransmitters, and our immune system. These neuropeptides, along with their binding sites are immunogenic and are known to be related to a wide variety of autoimmune diseases. They play an essential role in sustaining vascular flow in our organs, control memory and attentiveness, as well as control our thermoregulation. They are powerful immune regulators with powerful anti-inflammatory activity, and have a significant role in protection of the nervous system. When this neuropeptide is malfunctioning, pain and other detrimental issues start to snowball.

Vasoactive neuropeptides are also co-transmitters for acetylcholine. 

Let’s dive into why a “well-formulated” keto-adapted diet helps lower the debilitating side effects of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue:

INFLAMMATION: One of the reasons so many people are dealing with inflammation is because a rapid rise in blood sugar, which causes biochemical changes in the cell. Choosing low carbohydrate foods is one of the best ways to decrease inflammation. When blood sugar rises, sugar attaches to collagen in a process called “glycosylation,” increasing inflammation (and increases wrinkles!) Athletes also mistakenly eat too many carbohydrates that hinder their healing and recovery time because they are constantly inflaming their joints.

SUGAR/GLUCOSE/FRUIT: Sugar decreases our immune system, which also increases fibro and chronic fatigue. There is something called a “phagocytic index” which tells you how rapidly a particular lymphocyte can gobble up a virus, bacteria, or cancer cell. Glucose and vitamin C have similar chemical structures, so what happens when the sugar levels go up? They compete for one another when entering the cells. And the thing that mediates the entry of glucose into the cells is the same thing that mediates the entry of vitamin C into the cells. If there is more glucose around, there is going to be less vitamin C allowed into the cell. It doesn’t take much: a blood sugar value of 120 reduces the phagocytic index by 75%. So when you eat sugar, think of your immune system slowing down to a crawl. Sugar is disguised in our foods as sucrose, corn syrup, maltodexterin. Even fruits and fruit juices contain a lot of sugar. Sugar also increases blood sugar which causes inflammation and pain.

HORMONES and LIVER FUNCTION: Some ways we get too much estrogen is exposure to chemicals that mimic estrogen such as many plastics (microwaving food in plastic dishes or using plastic wraps and containers) or eating non-organic food. Beef and chickens are typically given potent estrogenic substances (‘super-estrogens’) to make them more productive. People develop estrogen dominance as a result of a high-carb low-fiber diet, consuming excess fructose, drinking alcohol, having a “Tired-Toxic Liver (see chapter in Secrets to a Healthy Metabolism), or environmental factors…all of which we have some power to control. The liver is a filter of sorts. It detoxifies our body, protecting us from the harmful effects of chemicals, elements in food, environmental toxins, and even natural products of our metabolism, including excess estrogen. Anything that impairs liver function or ties up the detoxifying function will result in excess estrogen levels. If your liver is tired and toxic, a special diet plan would be in order to help. Estrofactors is a product by Metagenics that detoxes the liver from excess estrogen (click HERE to find).

CANDIDA: An overgrowth of yeast can cause muscle and joint pain, difficulty concentrating, chronic fatigue, neurological disorders, insomnia, bowel dysfunction, a weakened immune system. These symptoms very similar to fibromyalgia. If you have been on antibiotics, have low moods and you crave carbs and sugar, you could have an overgrowth of yeast. A low carb, low sugar diet along with the correct probiotics help to kill the yeast. Click HERE for a proper probiotic (not all are created equal). And in that case, we would need to eliminate foods that can cause candida to grow… even mushrooms!

EXCITOTOXINS: Monosodium glutamate (MSG or Accent), aspartame (NutraSweet or Equal), hydrolyzed protein, are exitotoxins to our brain and should be eliminated by everyone. They are found in just about every boxed and packaged food out there. Excitotoxins excite the neurons in the brain, causing them to fire so rapidly that they die. Once these cells are dead, they can’t be remade. What is really scary is that when we initially eliminate these food additives, symptoms initially get worse as the body detoxifies.

PHOSPHATES: Most fibrous foods such as seeds, wheat, and oats have phytic acid. Many people with chronic fatigue and fibro have a genetic defect that prevents the kidneys from excreting phosphates. The phosphates build up in the bones, and eventually the muscles, ligaments and the tendons. The high phosphate level damages the cells’ ability to produce ATP (energy) and causes the muscles to spasm. Coconut fiber does not contain phytic acid so it helps improve mineral status when you replace this for wheat flour in your baked goods.

FREE RADICALS: An abundance of oxidative damage to the cells can cause fibro and chronic fatigue. When you are keto-adapted, there is less oxidative damage! A well-formulated keto-adapted diet doesn’t damage our immune system and creates less free radical damage in our cells. Free radicals are highly reactive molecules produced in the mitochondria that damage protein tissues and membranes of the cells. Free radicals happen as we exercise. But ketones are a ‘clean-burning fuel.’ When ketones are the fuel source, ROS (oxygen free radicals) is drastically reduced. Intense exercise on a high-carb diet overwhelms the antioxidant defenses and cell membranes which explains why extreme athletes have impaired immune systems and decreased gut (intestinal) health. A well-designed ketogenic diet, not only fights off these aging antioxidants, it also reduces inflammation of the gut and immune systems are stronger than ever.  Restoring the cells and eliminating free radicals is essential and eating a well-formulated keto-adapted diet will do this.

For suggestions on supplements, click HERE.

MINERAL DEFICIENCIES: Magnesium is a miracle mineral that about 70% of people are deficient in (mainly because it takes 54mg of magnesium to process 1 gram of sugar/starch!). Insulin stores magnesium, but if your insulin receptors are blunted and your cells grow resistant to insulin, you can’t store magnesium so it passes out of your body through urination. Magnesium in your cells relaxes muscles. If your magnesium level is too low, your muscles will constrict rather than relax, which will increase pain and decrease your energy level. To fix this problem, eat a low carb diet and consume magnesium glycinate (click HERE to find).

FOOD ALLERGIES: Having a food allergy, such as gluten, inhibits your intestines to absorb iron and B-12; both are essential for energy production. When we inhale, we carry oxygen through the hemoglobin to the mitochondria of our cells that burn fat and create energy. If we are deficient in iron, we can’t carry the oxygen to the mitochondria.

NIGHT SHADES: Another possible source of pain comes from the “nightshade plants.” Vegetables such as potatoes, tomatoes, peppers and eggplant contain a chemical alkaloid called solanine. Solanine can trigger pain in some people. If you are in question, I suggest eliminating these foods for 1 month to see what happens.

OTHERS: Not getting into REM sleep, imbalance of omega 3 to omega 6 ratio, a damaged immune system, and parasites (which damage the immune system).

If you suffer from this disease and would like more help, I would be honored to help with a consult. Click HERE to find my services.

Testimony of the Day

“When I began my journey with you I was size 3X. I had terrible mood swings and depression. I was diagnosed with autoimmune diseases such as fibromyalgia, idiopathic thrombocytic pupurra (I.T.P.), osteoarthritis and asthma. I had fatty liver disease, high blood pressure, eczema, rosacea, skin tags and migraines.

I am now an extra large, I have no depression or mood swings. Though there is no test to prove it, I feel I no longer have fibromyalgia. I no longer use inhalers for asthma and I feel that has disappeared too. The damage from the osteoarthritis unfortunately cannot be reversed. My low blood platelets from the I. T. P. use to average a count of 30, 000 and now sit between 70 and 80, 000. My iron count averaged around 2 or 3 and I use to get infusions every 6 months. I now average a count of 10 and haven’t had a infusion in over 18 months.

A recent ultrasound shows my liver is now normal. My blood pressure is stable. Skin tags are gone, eczema flare ups are rare and my rosacea is better. Migraine headaches are a thing of my past. I haven’t had a cold in over two years. I have removed 90% of prescription medications from my medicine cabinet. Nobody can convince me that this is a coincidence. I believe 100% there is health benefits to this way of eating.” -Terri

If you too want to start healing your body, click HERE for a consult. With the right diet and supplement plan, you can feel like a new person!