Fibromyalgia


What is Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a condition in which there is musculo-skeletal pain without any obvious tissue damage. The pain is usually widespread but sometimes occurs in only one region of the body. It is a common condition in the community, affecting an estimated three to five per cent of the population. Women are affected ten times more commonly than men. Fibromyalgia can also cause fatigue, and there can be substantial overlap with chronic fatigue syndrome.


The most common symptoms experienced by people with fibromyalgia are:

  • Widespread pain in muscles, ligaments and tendons
  • Pain may be aching, burning, throbbing or stabbing
  • Muscles may feel like they have been pulled or overworked
  • Muscular stiffness, which is usually worse in the morning
  • Fatigue, including "brain" fatigue
  • Poor quality sleep
  • Headache
  • Irritable bowel syndrome – constipation, diarrhea, abdominal gas
  • Additional symptoms may include minor swelling, poor concentration, joint disfunction and other problems.

Aggravating factors: changes in weather, cold drafty environments, hormonal fluctuations, stress, depression, anxiety, over-exertion.

 

Possible causes

Medical practitioners agree that the basic underlying cause is unknown, but may be triggered by:

  • Infection
  • Injury
  • Poor sleep
  • Stress

Alternative practitioners believe that Fibromyalgia could also be caused by:

  • Oestrogen dominance
  • Diet
  • Environmental factors

Elaine Hollingsworth, director of Hippocrates Health Centre of Australia, says that symptoms are so close to those of oestrogen dominance or progesterone lack, that it appears to be beyond co-incidence. Progesterone, which offers great protection during pregnancy, could also be critical to our good health.

 

Oestrogen dominance means low progesterone levels. We need the right balance of progesterone for protection against lifestyle diseases, and for a strong immune system. Our bodies absorb oestrogen from pesticides, plastics, drugs, chemicals in personal care products, glues and household cleaning agents. It is now known that the skin is a carrier, not a barrier. This means that substances get absorbed through the skin and carried to our organs. Many substances accumulate gradually in the liver and kidneys.

 

Most shampoos, bubble bath, shower gels and toothpaste contain a foaming agent called Sodium Lauryl Sulphate. This substance has over 90 different names, so unless a foaming product is labeled SLS free, then the foaming agent will be SLS, used by the manufacturer because it’s cheap. SLS can form nitrates when it interacts with other substances. It goes in through the skin easily, allowing the penetration of other carcinogens. It can damage skin and can damage the immune system.

 

Almost ALL hair conditioners, skin lotions and make-up contain a sliding agent called Propylene Glycol. This is another substance that is highly absorbable, and can also cause kidney and liver abnormalities.

 

Other toxins to watch out for in bathroom products are the chemicals, DEA, TEA, or anything with a capital E, formaldehyde, aluminium, toluene and fluoride. Most hair sprays, nail polish, perfumes, deodorant, talc, make-up, sunscreens all carry hidden dangers, and promote oestrogen dominance as they get absorbed into our bodies. Be aware that the labeling of a product as natural, organic, or herbal may not necessarily be safe. A good website for understanding toxic chemicals is Samuel Epstein’s site: www.preventcancer.com.au

 

Many chemicals, particularly those found in cheap plastics, are oestrogen mimics. Much of our food, drink, toothpaste and shampoo are sold in these cheap plastic containers. We absorb these chemicals as they leach out of the bottle into the contents. We absorb oestrogen even by handling plastic wrap. Synthetic oestrogens, or oestrogen mimics, all cause oestrogen overload in our bodies. Animal fat consumption increases oestrogen levels. So does HRT and the pill. Many researchers are convinced that oestrogen dominance is responsible for the spreading of cancer in the body. Excess oestrogen, especially oestrogen mimics, have been clearly shown to weaken the immune system. They not only cause cancer, but also reproductive problems. Health researcher, Phillip Day, agrees that Fibromyalgia is caused by oestrogen dominance. Try to find safe products, and don’t use products that you don’t need.

 

Fibromyalgia is aggravated or worsened by toxins in food, especially aspartame. This substance is known to mimic Fibromyalgia symptoms in the body. It is known to cause headaches, nerve disorders, insomnia, depression, chronic fatigue, dizziness, brain fog, hormonal problems, dementia and many other symptoms. Aspartame is found is diet soft drinks and sweets or chewing gum sold as "sugar-free". Even small doses have seriously impact health.

 

 

Recommendations:

 

Supplements:

Choose supplements that will both detoxify and restore the nutrient balance. This means taking a complete balance of minerals and vitamins.

Also take:

Magnesium – for energy and muscle relaxation.

St John’s Wort – eases depression and improves pain tolerance

Vitamin C and Grape Seed extract – powerful anti-oxidants that protect muscle cells from damage

Coenzyme Q10 – helps relieve symptoms of chronic fatigue

Valerian – to assist sleep

 

What else you can do:

  • Use a hormonal balancing cream, containing Mexican Wild Yam and Chaste Tree extract, to build progesterone levels.
  • Avoid toxins in food. Don’t eat foods with additives. Major on unprocessed foods.
  • Avoid toxins in personal care products and cleaning products. Find a company that has safe products.
  • Use paper lunch wrap, (not plastic), and store food in good plastics, (such as Tupperware) or glass jars.
  • Don’t reuse cheap plastic water bottles.
  • Avoid all sugar and yeast, found in bread, pasta and alcohol.
  • Eat a predominance of raw fruits and vegetables.
  • For adrenal exhaustion, eliminate grains except for brown rice.
  • Eliminate polyunsaturated fats - they promote overactive thyroid.
  • Drink plenty of pure water.
  • Avoid regular tea and coffee. Herbal tea is okay.
  • Make yourself fresh juices between meals to keep up energy supply.
  • Take hot baths or showers to soothe soreness, increase circulation and relieve stiffness.
  • Visit a massage therapist.
  • Get at least 8 hours sleep per night
  • Avoid stressful situations
  • Be positive

 

Latest findings:

Aerobic exercise may actually help to relieve symptoms when combined with stress management techniques. Forty-five minutes of exercise, 3-5 times per week eased pain in a trial group. You need to gradually work up to this.

 

References:

Phillip Day, "The ABCs of Disease"

Elaine Hollingsworth, "Take Control of your Health"

Reader’s Digest, "Healing power of Vitamins, Minerals and Herbs"

Chris Woollams, "Oestrogen, the killer in our midst"

 

What is the Gerson Diet?

Max Gerson, born in Germany in 1881, was a medical doctor who used diet and other natural treatments to deal with cancer. For twenty years he treated hundreds of patients who had been given up to die. His success rate was 50%, which for his day was exceptional among alternative practitioners, and this percentage is far higher than current day orthodox treatments. He stated: "this percentage could be higher if there were better cooperation from the family physician, the patient himself and less resistance from the family against such a strict regime." 1

Gerson not only cured cancer through diet, but other diseases as well, including diabetes. The famous Albert Sweitzer was healed of diabetes through Gerson’s therapy.

Using a whole-body approach to healing, Gerson’s therapy is based on the body’s magnificent ability to heal itself, with no damaging side-effects. He believed that degenerative diseases were brought on by toxic degraded food, water and air. Gerson therapy flooded the body with nutrients from organically grown fruits and vegetables. Oxygenation of the blood more is usually more than doubled with the consumption of vast amounts of raw fruits and vegetables, and this in itself destroys cancer cells.

 

Max Gerson’s therapy:

  • Fresh juices, (raw carrot, apple and green-leaf), were consumed 13 times per day, (one glass every hour).
  • Meals consisted of freshly prepared organically-grown fruits, vegetables and whole-grains, and no animal protein.
  • Coffee enemas were given for detoxification.
  • Supplementation using natural substances was extremely important.

 

The aims of the diet:

1. To eliminate toxins.

2. To use the natural healing properties of raw fruits and vegetables, herbs and minerals.

3. To maximize digestion so that what you eat works most effectively to improve your health.

4. To allow the body to heal itself.

5. To reduce the intake of high protein foods, which create an acidic system, and to major on raw plant foods, which create an alkaline system. Cancer will not survive in an alkaline environment.

 

Healing properties of raw fruits and vegetables

Plant foods contain many natural healing properties. Your food is your medicine. Fruit and vegetables are best if consumed fresh, vine-ripened and organically grown. Picking and eating straight from the garden is ideal, but of course not often possible. Growing your own parsley is a good idea. Even if you can’t afford organic, your health will improve by choosing to eat fresh fruits and vegetables.

Maximizing the efficiency of the digestive system

'Don't eat and drink at the same time' is a good rule to follow. Drink half an hour before a meal and two hours after.

 

Allowing the body to heal itself

Given time, the body will heal itself if given the right ingredients. A cleansing program is the first step one must take. Herbs and nutrients all assist the body in its healing work. If the diet seems too difficult, remember that you are following it to save your life!

 

 

 

The Diet


1. 80% raw fruit or vegetables at every meal.

2. 20% cooked plant food at every meal.

3. no meat, no dairy products, no sugar, no heat-extracted oils, no margarine.

4. no commercially processed food

5. pure water and vegetable juices only between meals

 

Foods to eat:

80% raw fruits or vegetables at every meal. The other 20% of the meal is made up from the following:

 

Whole grains
Brown rice, millet, buckwheat, quinoa, but not wheat

 

Lentils
Red, green or brown are all suitable. Brown lentils are a more mature form of green lentils.

 

Dried beans & peas
Red kidney beans, haricot beans, lima beans, chick peas

 

Cooked sweet potatoes and pumpkin
Sweet potatoes are high in betacarotene.

 

Oats
Whole oats are better than refined. Can be eaten as a "muesli" dessert.

 

Nuts and seeds
Almonds are especially good. They have anti-cancer properties. Ground flaxseeds are also good. Almonds, sunflower seeds and flaxseeds can be ground together in a coffee grinder.

 

Flaxseeds
Take a dessertspoon, ground with nuts and pepitas. Flaxseeds contain Omega-3, Omega-6 and Vitamin B17.

 

Simple sugars
Use only honey or fruit concentrate as sweeteners. These do not depress the immune system. Use in moderation.

 

Unrefined salts
Use only hand-harvested unrefined sea salt.

 

 

 

The daily routine

 

This is an example of a day's nutritional intake, including food supplements.

 

On rising
  • 2 glasses warm water with lemon juice

Breakfast
  • large bowl of fresh fruit, including paw paw and pineapple
  • 1 dessertsp. each of ground sunflower seeds, linseeds, almonds and pepitas, mixed with a little organic grape juice for a moist consistency.

 

Mid morning
  • plenty of pure water (3 glasses or more)
  • vegetable juice (beetroot, carrot, celery, greens)

 

Lunch
  • fresh raw salad, including carrot, cabbage, raw beetroot, tomato, raw asparagus, broccoli, sprouts and plenty of greens.
  • 20% cooked food. e.g. brown rice, cooked haricot beans in home-made sauce

 

Mid afternoon
  • plenty of pure water (3 glasses or more)
  • vegetable juice (beetroot, carrot, celery, greens) with the addition of green barley/spirulina powder. (Organic grape juice can be taken instead of vegetable juice if you are not at home for juicing.)

 

Evening meal

  • A smaller meal than lunch
  • raw vegetables plus any foods in the 20% cooked plant food category, e.g. legumes

 

 Other factors to consider in fighting or avoiding lifestyle diseases:

  1. Plenty of sleep especially during hours of natural darkness
  2. Peace of mind; no stress
  3. Maintaining good emotional health
  4. Times of relaxation
  5. A relationship with the Creator
  6. Put aside past hurts and showing forgiveness towards others
  7. Happiness and laughter (release chemicals in the body called endorphin)
  8. Clean water (use a water filter)
  9. Clean air
  10. Exposure to sunlight for vitamin D
  11. No harmful chemicals. Chemicals can be absorbed through skin into bloodstream. Use shampoo, toothpaste and other personal care products with safe ingredients. Avoid Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, Propylene Glycol, anything listed with a capital E. (e.g. DEA, TEA,. PEG), and other harmful chemicals. See www.preventcancer.com.au
  12. Avoid pesticides and chemical cleaning products.
  13. Eat in moderation, even healthy foods
  14. No toxic substances into the body
  15. Remove amalgam fillings in teeth. They leach mercury and other heavy metals into the body.
  16. Regular exercise, especially jumping on a small round trampoline to get the lymph flowing.