| For people suffering with fibromyalgia and rheumatic | | | | squash, collard greens, cilantro and fresh thyme. To |
| disorders, studies have shown that a diet consisting | | | | maximize the availability of the carotenoids in the |
| of whole foods brings the body back to a state of | | | | foods listed above, the foods should be eaten raw or |
| health and helps improve symptoms dramatically. In | | | | steamed lightly. Sources of flavonoids include: apples, |
| addition to the fact that whole foods happen to be | | | | apricots, blueberries, pears, raspberries, strawberries, |
| antioxidant laden, and antioxidant foods possess | | | | black beans, cabbage, onions, parsley, pinto beans, |
| anti-inflammatory properties, there are other factors, | | | | and tomatoes. |
| such as fiber and essential fatty acids found in whole | | | | An earlier study by a University in Oslo, Norway in |
| unadulterated foods that function together to | | | | 1993 placed a group of fibromyalgia patients on a |
| increase immunity and improve overall health. | | | | 3-week vegetarian diet and 7 of 10 fibromyalgia |
| Remember, most fruits and vegetables should be | | | | patients reported an increase in overall health status |
| eaten in their entirety, as all of the parts, including the | | | | in the form of improved well-being and reduced pain. |
| skin, contain valuable nutrients. Eat at least eight to | | | | A more recent study (Edwards, Blackburn, Christie, |
| ten servings of colorful fruits and vegetables a day. | | | | Townsend, et al. 2000), which was a double-blind, |
| That may sound like a lot but we are talking about | | | | placebo-controlled trial, suggests that the |
| one serving is half a cup full and this food source is | | | | administration of pure Anthocyanidins (80 mg daily) |
| absolutely vital in helping to win the battle against FM. | | | | may be beneficial in fibromyalgia patients. |
| These plant foods are the basic source of the | | | | Anthocyanidins are Phytonutrients found in berries. |
| vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and Phytonutrients, | | | | Berries are the highest in Anthocyanidins, powerful |
| that help create and preserve health. Nobody can | | | | purple pigment compounds that act as potent |
| argue with eating fruits and vegetables. It's the one | | | | antioxidants, and include vitamin C. The berries |
| thing that scientists all agree on to create longevity, | | | | Anthocyanidins help ease the joints by its antioxidant |
| energy, and health. | | | | activity. It also detoxifies tissues and promotes |
| Phytonutrients are the biologically active substances in | | | | better digestion. The fibromyalgia patients in the |
| plants that are responsible for giving them color, | | | | active treatment group received an Anthocyanidins |
| flavor, and natural disease resistance. In the last | | | | formula derived from cranberry, bilberry, and grape |
| couple of decades scientists have begun to identify | | | | seed. The improvements in the group receiving the |
| that they provide a vital biological function in our | | | | Anthocyanidins reported specifically a reduction of |
| bodies as well. Fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, | | | | fatigue and improved sleep. |
| nuts and teas are the richest sources of | | | | How Do Phytonutrients Protect Against Disease? |
| Phytonutrients. | | | | Phytonutrients are being studied intensely as they |
| People whose diets are rich in fruits and vegetables | | | | have so many beneficial effects on the human body |
| live healthier lives because these foods contain | | | | including: |
| thousands of Phytonutrients that interact in ways to | | | | serving as antioxidants |
| prevent certain diseases and boost overall health. | | | | enhancing immune response |
| Over a hundred phytochemicals have been identified, | | | | enhancing cell-to-cell communication |
| many having a regulating effect on the immune and | | | | altering estrogen metabolism |
| endocrine system. | | | | converting to vitamin A (beta-carotene is |
| Several studies examining the role of vegetarian or | | | | metabolized to vitamin A) |
| vegan diets (loaded with Phytonutrients) in the | | | | causing cancer cells to die (apoptosis) |
| treatment of fibromyalgia have reported positive | | | | repairing DNA damage caused by smoking and |
| results. The first study addressed the potential role | | | | other toxic exposures |
| of antioxidants from a vegan diet in fibromyalgia | | | | detoxifying carcinogens through the activation of |
| patients and found significant increases in general | | | | the cytochrome P450 and Phase II enzyme |
| health and reduced pain and stiffness. Another study, | | | | systems-which are a function of the liver |
| carried out in fibromyalgia patients by the University | | | | It is clear that they play a vital part in the human |
| of Finland, involved researchers examining a raw | | | | body's tissue growth and repair processes and |
| foods/living foods vegan diet consisting of fruits, | | | | potentially support many more beneficial functions. |
| vegetables, seeds, sprouts, and nuts which are all | | | | Rebuilding your health after a chronic illness diagnosis |
| foods containing high levels of Phytonutrients. | | | | such as fibromyalgia can be a daunting task. It's a |
| The results of this study showed that the | | | | journey that takes self-awareness, dedication, and a |
| fibromyalgia patients whose diets had the highest | | | | whole lot of determination. But, it can be done! It's |
| levels of serum carotenoids (lutein, lycopene, alpha | | | | my hope that you take a deeper look at the foods |
| carotene, and beta carotene) and flavonoids | | | | and nutrients you are eating and choose foods that |
| (quercetin, hesperidin), reported significant | | | | support your optimal health in every way.Taking |
| improvements in joint stiffness, pain, and general | | | | charge of your health is the first step toward finding |
| health. Food sources of carotenoids include sweet | | | | wellness. |
| potatoes, carrots, kale, spinach, turnip greens, winter | | | | |