Continuing our adventure in Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month, let's talk about the link between food allergies and fibromyalgia. The evidence of this link is being increasingly discovered.

According to the National Fibromyalgia Association and research by York Nutritional Laboratories, the joint pain, interrupted sleep, and perpetual fatigue of fibromyalgia can be greatly alleviated by eliminating certain foods that cause bodily inflammation. This would be much healthier than constantly being on anti-inflammatory drugs.

Find your Food Allergies - Lose your Fibromyalgia

Common food offenders which exacerbate fibromyalgia symptoms, like pain, are all forms of dairy, sugar, wheat gluten and other yeast-risen products.

We previously discussed the difference between food allergies and food intolerance. The above foods are common allergens, and the fibromyalgia sufferer may be fully allergic to them, or may have developed a toxic intolerance. Either way, it can come from eating certain foods so regularly that your body begins fighting their intake.

As opposed to sudden-onset allergies caused by the antibodies IgE, people with fibromyalgia may have elevated levels of the antibody IgG, normally roaming around in the bloodstream looking to defend the body against invaders. These IgG will attach themselves to partially undigested food particles which get out into the bloodstream due to digestive problems such as:

"Leaky gut" (often associated with acid reflux)
Overgrowth of yeast which blocks proper nutrients and good digestion.
Imbalanced body pH (body water is too acidic)

Ironically, the very anti-inflammatories you take for fibromyalgia, whether steroid or non-steroidal, can cause or exacerbate these ailments and interrupt good digestion.

Good Eating for Fibromyalgia

Eliminate the foods listed above - all dairy, sugar and substitutes, breads and other yeast-risen products, starches like pasta and potatoes. Eat very little or no red meat.
Eliminate carbonated colas - diet ones, too - because of both sugar and sugar substitutes.
Eat "anti-oxidant" foods to protect against "free radicals" - harmful unattached airborne molecules that invade bodily cells. Green vegetables like spinach, broccoli and kale, apples, cranberries, strawberries, carrots, citrus fruit are best.
Eat many of these vegetables raw; cooking removes vitamins and anti-oxidants.
Eat foods which have natural anti-inflammatory, antibiotic effects: garlic, onions and their families.

Good news - This type of food allergies may not be permanent! If IgG levels subside, you can slowly begin eating the eliminated foods, but rotate your choices often!

Fibromyalgia and "Multiple Allergic Response Syndrome" (MARS)

Fibromyalgia can also be related to MARS or Environmental Illness. This may include allergies to perfumes, gases, cleaning products and other strong-smelling chemicals. It can exacerbate a weakened Immune System and manifests itself in skin, neurological, respiratory, gastrointestinal and/or musculoskeletal disturbances.

If you suffer from fibromyalgia, ask your traditional or complementary physician to test you for food and chemical allergies.

Weekly Healthy Advice From VÄXA