Health Update: Fibromyalgia

What Is a Fibromyalgia Diet?

The following are excerpts from the expert opinion of Dr. Joseph Cilea of the Advanced Wellness Center in Marlboro, New Jersey.

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     There has been much discussion about Fibromyalgia (FM) regarding the symptoms, various medications, exercise, and more, but there is not a lot of discussion about a very important daily activity - eating!  It's such a simple thing... so simple it seems to have been overlooked.

     One FM diet suggests a 3:3:4 ratio for fats, carbs, and protein, respectively, and, to eat 6 small meals per day rather than 3 larger meals.  The "don't" list includes chocolate, carbonated beverages and alcohol. The "do" list mandates lots of water consumption - 8 glasses a day, or more.

     Another approach called the Paleodiet (also known as the "Paleolithic diet," "caveman diet,"  "hunter-gatherer diet," "Garden of Eden diet" and more) makes a lot of sense! Grains, beans, and potatoes, though full of energy (calories), are not edible in the raw state due to the many toxins that exist in them.  About 10,000 years ago, it was discovered that heating/cooking these otherwise inedible foods (wheat, corn, barley, rice, sorghum, millet and oats) made them edible, thus marking the Neolithic or New Stone Age era. Though these foods are high in calories and can be stored longer, they are limited in their nutritional value, lead to glycemic spikes (high blood sugar), and can result in intestinal related conditions if under cooked or in those whose tolerance is less (immune deficiency).

     The Paleodiet is based on our genetic code being limited to grass fed animal products and naturally grown products - fruits and vegetables. The basic "paleodiet" includes consumption of grass fed meat, fowl, fish, and the roots and fruits of many plants, including nuts. This approach eliminates grains (wheat, oats, barley, rye also know as glutens), or anything using flour.  This includes breads, pasta, crackers, cookies, most baked products....a lot of what we frequently consume.  Dairy products, sugar, and salt are included in the "don't" list.  The unique feature of the Paleodiet is that all major dietary components are covered - vitamins, fats, protein, fats, carbohydrates, antioxidants, phytosterols, and more. This is the only diet that is coded for our genes - our body utilizes and relies on these substances.

     With this approach, there is no need to "detoxify" our systems or take a surplus of vitamins, though certain vitamins "insure" a nutritious environment for our bodies.  These include magnesium and Vitamin D, both of which are difficult to obtain from the food we eat and, Co-Q10 (a strong anti-oxidant), and high levels of EPA/DHA (the active ingredients in fish oil).

     The bottom line is there is a lot that can benefit FM from strictly a dietary approach and when coupled with exercise, adequate sleep, and stress reduction, FM sufferers benefits greatly!  As a doctor of chiropractic, we will help guide you in these approaches if you, a family member or friend are struggling with fibromyalgia.

Is The Secret To Living Longer And Feeling Better Really As Easy As This?

New study in the Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise suggests people who stay even moderately fit as they age may live longer than those who do not. According to an August 21, 2009 Reuters' article, "Our findings suggest that sedentary lifestyle, rather than differences in cardiovascular risk factors or age, may explain the two-fold higher mortality rates in the least-fit versus slightly more fit healthy individuals," lead researcher, Dr. Sandra Mandic of the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand, noted in an email to Reuters Health.

She pointed out that nearly two-thirds of the least-fit study participants were not getting the minimum recommended amount of exercise - at least 30 minutes of moderate activity, like brisk walking, on five or more days a week. "These results emphasize the importance of improving and maintaining high fitness levels by engaging in regular physical activity," Mandic said, "particularly in poorly fit individuals."

And here's something of major importance, the study showed a history of exercise was not a factor. In other words, it doesn't matter if you used to be in shape. What matters is recent activity.This helps explain why a professional athlete, who was in phenomenal shape for years, can die young from heart disease. The study suggests you only get protection from recent physical activity.

This may be disheartening for many since so many people look at "exercise programs" and "diet," as temporary things. Many people do them just long enough to get in the desired shape or lose a certain amount of weight. This approach will not make you healthy. What will help make you healthy and possibly live longer is making the commitment to change your lifestyle. Committing to eating right and exercising for the rest of your life. That is exactly what chiropractors believe and have been teaching for years. Health is the result of what you routinely do- that means at this moment and for the rest of your life.

That's why it is also important to commit to getting and keeping your spine working properly with chiropractic care. If you stop exercising, you lose the positive effects. If you stop brushing your teeth, you lose the positive effect and you may also begin to grow fur on your enamel. Likewise, if you neglect your spine, chances are, you will eventually end up in that annoying pear shape again because of soreness and stiffness in your back. Remember, staying healthy and living longer is in your hands, so might as well do something about it.

Swine Flu Mania

Health Alert: Swine Flu

I'm sure you've heard- there is something called the swine flu going around. The scientific name is now H1N1. And H1N1 is not the only thing "going around." A lot of hysteria is traveling with it.

When they first reported on this flu several months ago, some news programs hyped it up to the point you thought the human race was going to be wiped off the face of the Earth!

Well, as it turn out that's not even close to the reality.

H1N1, so far, hasn't been the death sentence the media prophesied. Most people with H1N1 get flu-like symptoms and are perfectly fine in no time.

Why is that?

It's because most people who contract H1N1 have normal and healthy immune systems. And when you have a normal and healthy immune system, you can fight off just about anything known to man (or woman).  Just like the "regular" flu- people with compromised immune systems are the ones at risk and that is why it is important to keep your immune system functioning at its highest genetic potential.

This includes: eating right, exercising, reducing stress and visiting your doctor for routine check-ups. This includes Chiropractic care to keep your spine working properly and alleviating any unnecessary stress and strain on your system.

Here's something you should know about taking anti-viral medications like Tamiflu and Relenza.

On Saturday, August 22, 2009, Reuters reported that a new study published in the Lancet Infectious Disease suggests treating H1N1 in normal healthy adults may not be worthwhile.

"Recommending the use of anti-viral drugs for the treatment of people presenting with symptoms is unlikely to be the most appropriate course of action," wrote Jane Burch of the University of York and colleagues.

According to the Reuters' article, the results of this study also support an already existent advisory from the World Health Organization (WHO): "healthy patients who get H1N1 swine flu without suffering complications do not need to be treated with anti-viral's."

The 'WHO', however, strongly recommends both drugs for pregnant woman and children under 5 because these two groups are at risk for greater illness.