Applied Nutrition for People with Fibromyalgia

By Hal Blatman, MD, DAAPM

There are three basic nutritional concepts. 

1. Do not put poison into the body.
2. Make sure there are raw materials to build new parts (or repair old ones).
3. Make sure there is enough octane to run the engines.

I have learned in my medical practice that these basic concepts translate into rules that run the body.

Rule No. 1: Do not put poison into the body.

The two poisons that should never be put into the human body are margarine and NutraSweet (aspartame).

Margarine

Margarine began to be produced in quantity when the USA had a butter shortage during World War II. This substance is made by bubbling hydrogen gas through vegetable oil. The "hydrogenated oil" is solid at room temperature. In the 1940s, it was discovered that insects would not eat it, mold would not grow on it, and it would not support or sustain life. Supermarket shelf life was important at that time, and this substance was incorporated into food so that mold would not grow as fast. The oils and fats that we eat are the raw materials that are body uses to make cell membranes. Our biochemistry is not optimized to function with hydrogenated oil cell membranes. Therefore, red blood cells do not properly exchange oxygen and CO2, and other cells do not exchange nutrition and waste adequately. With years of eating deep-fried foods, using vegetable oil, and eating other hydrogenated morsels, our bodies may become like a "genuine GM truck that has been fixed by plastic parts." To some extent, the body may not heal because it cannot. It takes 4 months to get this substance out of the body after you discontinue putting it in.

NutraSweet

NutraSweet converts in the body to methanol and formaldehyde. Methanol is neurotoxic, reported to cause neurological damage and brain cancer. In many people, ingesting this substance causes deep aching and pain throughout the body. Some people are sensitive to as little as one dose. Formaldehyde is embalming fluid and has also been shown to cause cancer. Neither of these substances can be used favorably by the human body. After discontinuing use of this chemical, some people noticed that it can take two months for them to detoxify.

Rule No. 2: If you are going to run a race car, use hundred octane fuel.

I like the analogy that the "Human Body Is A High Performance, Biochemical Ferrari," and a Ferrari is made to run on racing oil and racing fuel.

The lowest octane fuels that can be put into the body include white sugar, wheat flour and potatoes. One of the most devastating low octane "foods" is soda. There are approximately ten teaspoons of sugar in every can of soda pop. In addition, in order to contain this much sugar without precipitation, phosphates are added to the mix. The human body loses calcium in order to process these phosphates. This contributes to osteoporosis. Wheat flour includes bread and pasta. A medium-size cooked potato is roughly equivalent to 1/2 cup of sugar.

High octane fuel includes chicken, fish, turkey, steak, brown rice and any green or cruciferous vegetable. [Note: The publishers of this site recommend a vegetarian diet, without meat of any kind.] It is important to make sure that the body has enough high octane fuel on a daily basis in order to support what it is asked to do.

Rule No. 3: Feed the good critters in the colon and starve the bad.

Most people with fibromyalgia have some level of intestinal difficulties. Our intestines are inhabited by millions of microscopic lifeforms. These flora are fondly called "critters". We have "good critters" and "bad critters" in our gut. The good critters bring life, help to digest food and produce vitamins necessary for life. The bad critters produce toxins that damage the good critters and the cells that line the intestines.

Good critters require green leafy vegetables for growth and survival. Bad critters thrive on sugar and wheat flour. It is important to feed the good critters so that they bring us life, and starve the bad critters so that they die.

How does this apply to chronic pain and fibromyalgia?

Helping someone with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue presumes that usual and customary medical care has not been optimally helpful. Part of the reason for the lack of improvement with treatment may be that the body does not have enough resources to heal. The nutritional principles discussed above should be part of comprehensive pain management and treatment. This does not ensure success, however it certainly improves the odds.

Lastly, many folks feel that eating healthy food is a major hassle. I suggest however, that chronic pain and chronic fatigue cause much more hassle than eating healthy food and taking care of our bodies.

Notes contained in brackets are from the publishers of Get Healthy...Get Smart!.

This article is used with permission by: National Fbromyalgia Association, 2238 North Glassell Street Suite D, Orange, CA 92865, Phone: 714-921-0150 Fax 714-921-6920, and Web site: www.fmaware.org.

Copyright © 2002 National Fbromyalgia Association. All rights reserved.