Fibromyalgia Community

I dont know if anyone here visits the pain management discussions but the doctor over there posted this & thought you would all like to read it. Denise Hi All,

I recently attended the 2011 Nutrition and Health Conference put on by Dr. Andrew Weil and his crew, and I thought I would share with you some of the latest information provided on how nutrition can impact pain.

First of all, the hot topic of Vitamin D deficiency in our society remains a hot topic. Evidence suggests that our rate of Vitamin D deficiency remains very high and is associated with many different chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes rheumatoid arthritis, MS, and asthma, but you may have also heard that low Vitamin D is associated with chronic pain. In particular, muscle pain can improve by supplementing with 2000-3000 units of Vitamin D per day. I also heard that many insurance companies are now refusing to cover routine Vitamin D screening which makes no sense. Many of us may just spend too much time indoors to make enough.

Glucose levels that spike in our blood can also be a source of increased pain. It forms Advanced Glycation End Products (AGE) that activate our genes to create pro-inflammatory mediators that increase pain sensitivity in our nervous system. Learn about the glycemic index to help avoid foods that will increase your pain by forming AGE, and stay away from anything that has that awful high-fructose corn syrup in it.

Here are some foods shown to decrease inflammation and pain:

• Omega-3 Fatty Acids-found in fish, nuts, and flaxseed, and can be supplemented. Has been shown to reduce pain from many different sources, including fibromyalgia.
• Soy protein and a combination of avocado-soybean unsaponafiables reduces joint pain
• Ginger-reduces joint and muscle pain
• Tea-contains compounds that protect collagen in the joints and reduce inflammation
• Herbs like turmeric turn off the production of inflammatory mediators to preserve joints, nerves, and reduce rheumatoid arthritis.
• Cherries-more on this later as the season approaches!

If possible, go to your nearest farmer's market this week and pick up whatever is in season to avoid turning on pain with processed, sugary foods. If nothing else, a little sun might do you some good. Bon Appetit!View Thread Posted by Peter Abaci, MD