What should you eat if you have fibromyalgia? Find out why many fibro patients say “Yes” to gluten-free dieting.
Do you suffer from fibromyalgia, a nerve disorder which affects at least 5 million Americans today, most of which are women?
As of yet, there is no known cure for fibromyalgia, but you can find some relief by treating some of the symptoms- muscular soreness, headaches and exhaustion.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a common side effect of fibromyalgia, can be alleviated by following a restrictive diet, so it should come as no surprise that many fibromyalgia sufferers have also found an increase in digestive health by following a gluten-free diet.
Gluten in diet
Gluten is a protein that is found in grains such as wheat, barley, corn, rye, spelt, Kamut and triticale. If you enjoy eating breads, pastas, cereal, sweets and other bakery goods, then you probably consume a lot of gluten in one day. Many food manufacturers are responding to the growing community of gluten-free dieters by producing gluten-free bread, cake mixes, soups and an assortment of other packaged goods.
Some people are either allergic to gluten or overly sensitive to it. It’s been estimated that roughly 1 out of 133 Americans are gluten intolerant, and if you’re one of them, then you might be experiencing chronic migraine headaches, digestive problems, fatigue and sore joints and muscles as a result of high gluten consumption. For many, switching to a gluten-free diet is beneficial.
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Where does fibromyalgia come into the picture?
Fibromyalgia patients have one thing in common with people who suffer gluten intolerance: a common list of ailments.
All may experience chronic digestive difficulties, bloating, headaches, sore joints, muscular pain, fatigue and trouble sleeping. Given the percentage of people who have gluten allergies or intolerance, it stands to reason that a significant amount of people who have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia might actually be suffering from an underlying sensitivity to gluten.
The only way to know for sure if gluten is responsible for your ailments is to cut it out of your diet. While the scientific research supporting the theory that gluten sensitivity can be linked with fibromyalgia symptoms is still lacking, a growing number of patients can attest to feeling healthier, more energetic and at ease as a result of making the switch to gluten-free.
Video: Healthy Food Choices: Gluten-Free Foods, LIVESTRONG
For more information, please read:
100 Best Sites for Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Information
Celiac Disease and Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Sources:
http://glutendoctors.blogspot.com/2009/06/fibromyalgia-and-its-connection-to.html
http://www.livestrong.com/article/50161-gluten-fibromyalgia-improvement-diet/