Diet And Exercise For Fibromyalgia

If you suffer from fibromyalgia it can be extremely beneficial along with keeping all of your scheduled appointments and taking any prescription medications on a regular basis that you maintain a proper diet, get plenty of rest, and engage in regular physical exercise that is appropriate for your level of physical fitness.

A balanced diet is the most effective for the FMS patient - this means consuming foods from the basic food groups so that the immune system is strengthened and that the muscles and connective tissue get the required nutrients for proper repair. You will also want to determine if you need to lose weight or maintain weight. Losing weight may assist in reducing symptoms as excess weight puts additional strain on the body. 

Identifying your Nutritional Needs 

By determining which symptoms affect you the most, you can then base your nutritional needs accordingly. For example, if you lack energy and that is a troublesome symptom, it will be important to consume foods that contain a lot of protein and carbohydrates.

If you suffer from a lot of pain, it will be important to consume foods that provide energy to the cells and muscles such as those that contain a lot of "green" coloring and have a lot of vitamins and nutrients.

Nutrients are important when it comes to the balance of the neurotransmitters of norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin as all of these have an impact the patient's overall sensitivity, the depression, anxiety, and mood. 

Avoiding Certain Food Products and Crash Dieting 

If you need to lose weight, the best way to accomplish this is through a healthy balanced diet and exercise plan and avoid crash diets as it could worsen the symptoms and result in more frequent flare ups. It is also essential that you avoid certain foods that have been known to worsen the symptoms of fibromyalgia.

These foods include aspartame which is sold under many name brands including "NutraSweet" and "Equal" and is an artificial sweetener that is also contained in many different foods.

Foods that contain the artificial flavoring and preservative "MSG" or "monosodium glutamine" should also be avoided as well as simple carbohydrates that are found in cakes, sugar, and white bread. Beverages that contain stimulants like caffeine should also be avoided as this can worsen the symptom of fatigue. 

Exercises that can be Beneficial to Patients with Fibromyalgia 

While certain exercises may be difficult for some patients with fibromyalgia and should be avoided, there are other forms of exercise that have been proven to be beneficial when performed on a consistent basis.

These exercises include, bike riding, walking, yoga and Pilates. When first beginning any exercise routine it is essential that you start out slowly then increase your level of exercise over a period of time, however, it is important that you only do as much as your body can handle and that you stop if you begin to experience an increase of the symptoms of pain or anxiety.