Changes in food and diet

In cases of fibromyalgia, doctors also recommend that patients eliminate all types of industrial food from the diet, such as soft drinks, sweets, processed meat products, canned food, artificial sauces and spreads and similar products.

Fibromyalgia symptoms can be soothed by the consumption of food rich in magnesium, among which are nuts and seeds, dark leafy greens such as spinach, kale, Swiss chard, and green salad, wheat germs, brewer’s yeast, fish, beans and lentils, and other such products.

You should also consume food rich in calcium and vitamin C.

Moreover, fibromyalgia symptoms can also be reduced by the intake of foods rich with selenium. These include Brazil nuts, apples, oranges, garlic, onion, and cabbage, among others.

Patients who suffer from fibromyalgia are strongly recommended to quit smoking and reduce the intake of drinks rich in caffeine.

Natural Therapy:

Therapeutic Capsaicin

Cayenne, hot peppers, is successful in the treatments of arthritis, in a form of topical cream. This same cream can also be of great benefit in the case of fibromyalgia, since the capsaicin, a substance that gives the hot taste to chili peppers, has the ability to soothe pain. These capsaicin properties have been proved by the studies conducted on patients suffering from fibromyalgia.

This capsaicin cream can be bought prepared in pharmacies, or you can prepare a massage oil by yourself, at home. Add 50 g of dry chili peppers to 500 ml of sunflower oil to make a warming oil for your painful muscles.

This oil can cause blisters in some patients, so make sure you apply a small amount of this oily concoction to a tiny area of your skin in order to test your reaction to it.

Pain relief: Cayenne appears to act by lowering the concentration of substance P, the primary chemical used by nerve cells to transmit pain signals. Its extracts are an important part of herbal treatment for fibromyalgia, arthritis, muscle pain, and the nerve pain caused by shingles and sciatica.

Its results are noticed after its regular use over a period of at least a few weeks. The analgesic nature of cayenne is due to the salicylates it contains, which are natural aspirin- like compounds.

Moreover, balms, oils and creams on cayenne pepper base are rubefacients, which means it warms the body by quickly dilating small capillaries, and increasing circulation, which reddens, but does not burn the skin.

This increased circulation is the hallmark of cayenne’s effect on the body, it stimulates the heart, and the lungs as well as increasing blood circulation and warmth throughout the whole system.

Cardiovascular Health: These hot peppers are considered to be a valuable heart tonic. Cayenne contains capsicum which reduces cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Cayenne also keeps the blood flowing smoothly through veins and arteries and increases circulation. It is high in antioxidants as well, which again speaks about its cardiovascular benefits.

Psoriasis Treatment: The most potent constituent of cayenne, Capsaicin, possesses powerful properties which are proven to be beneficial in psoriasis treatments. A 1999 study findings showed that capsaicin treatment caused a marked decrease in psoriasis activity and decreased formation of new skin plaques.

During the treatment, cayenne often causes burning sensations, but these are normal and are reduced with regular use. Always prefer the OTC products which menthol, since they relieve the itching.

In Diet: Cayenne pepper boosts your metabolism and induces the body to lose more weight and burn fat more quickly. Cayenne, along with other peppers strengthen digestion and lessen the change of bacterial infections from unsanitary food and water.

Cayenne peppers are also favorable in cases of gas and bloating resulting from consumption of heavy, greasy foods. Eating more hot spicy foods will help decrease appetite and increase satiety, so you are inclined to eat less. Seasoning with pepper lessens the need for salt and fat in cooking.

The website “My Fibromyalgia Diet” published the following overview which tells about the benefits of the use of cayenne in patients suffering from fibromyalgia:

“Hot, stimulating Cayenne peppers are like a jump start to a cold car engine on a frosty morning. It brings welcome life into sore muscles and get your heart beating faster, increasing the flow of blood all through the body. The heat of cayenne warms stiff arthritic joints and relaxes away low back pain.

The longer you use it, the better it works. Cayenne works very well for me, I use it every day, sometimes twice a day, for arthritis stiffness, sore muscles, and low back pain. Cayenne infused oil does not burn my skin as much as capsaicin creams.

Cayenne salves and oils are my first recommendation to anyone who has problems with pain, however cayenne has many other varied uses that make it one of the most powerful remedies in your kitchen medicine cabinet.

Other natural alternatives for fibromyalgia treatments include:

Thyme Tea and Warm Bath

Take 2 tablespoons of thyme and pour 5 dl of hot water over it. Leave it aside to steep for half an hour. Afterwards, strain the tea and drink it during the day.

Another use of thyme which may be useful is the following:

Pour 1 l of boiled water over 50 g of thyme. Allow it to steep for an hour and then strain the tea and add it to the water in which you are going to have a bath. Spend about 15-20 minutes in the bath.

Turmeric

Turmeric can be successfully used instead of other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, without any side-effects. This superb herb contains curcumin, which is a powerful means against pains and rheumatic inflammations. In fact, it has been discovered that this substance contains pain relievers that stop the neurotransmitter substance P from sending its pain signals to the brain. The usual dose of curcumin is 400-600 mg, three times a day.

Evening Primrose Oil

This beneficial herb is often part of the therapy for rheumatoid arthritis or inflammation of the soft tissues of joints, due to its potent anti-inflammatory effects. In cases of fibromyalgia, it can also soothe pains in joints to a certain extent. Patients are recommended to massage the painful areas with evening primrose oil twice a day, in the morning and in the evening.

Ginger Drink

Consume the following drink three times a day: Add 1 teaspoon of ginger powder to a glass of warm water and mix it well.

Willow Bark Tea Against Pains

Willow bark decreases the intensity of pain thanks to the salicin it contains, which is a chemical that acts similarly as aspirin. For its preparation, boil 2 g of willow bark in 1 cup of water for 5 minutes. Consume 2-3 cups of the tea a day.

Source/Reference:  www.fitfoodhouse.net
Other included sources linked in Fit Food House’s article: www.myfibromyalgiadiet.com -- Original Article Source