Discover the best supplements for Fibromyalgia, including vitamins, minerals, and natural remedies that can help manage symptoms and improve overall well-being.
Oh boy, what a question and you got the right person to ask, if you research and I don’t mean just google. I mean research the medications you take. You will find most if not all have side effects and one of them is weight gain and fatigue. Some also deplete vitamins so ask your doctors for information.
If you suffer from Fibromyalgia pain/Chronic pain, it is difficult to move. If you also have any kind of arthritis this only makes it more of an extreme problem to exercise. It’s possible to drop some weight when changing eating habits and or removing chemicals and toxins which are in many foods.
In order to have the ability to drop some weight, exercise is needed. With Fibromyalgia movement is very painful and it feels like your body is broken. Start off slow and do simple exercises targeting certain areas. It won’t be easy but you learn as go what can work for you. I believe anything is possible if we try.
Made changes in my lifestyle and especially my eating habits. I didn’t eat a lot but I didn’t eat healthy at all. So I needed to make serious changes.
Here are some of my results
Two years of good health and still learning how to live again. Then one day I began to feel like I was going backward with my health. I ignored it but it was happening so fast the more I ignored it the worse it was getting. Whatever it was it was beyond my control and deeper than I could see. I returned to doctors stating my issues.
Pain in my hip
Pain in my thigh
Pain in my stomach
Pain in my back
I stated it was not the normal pain I felt due to fibro or lupus. I went back every month for six months with the same issues getting worse and they sent me to other doctors.
On that final visit, they told me I needed to take medications for my diabetes and cholesterol, I was at risk of a stroke. I went home that day and admitted failure to myself. I was in too much pain to exercise/move for an outcome of weight loss. Deciding I would do the weight loss surgery. I found a surgeon and made an appointment the next day. Here’s when things go left.
The surgeon within seconds diagnoses me with an umbilical hernia. What do you mean I have a hernia, I just had a physical a few months ago. I told him based on what he was telling me, I had a change in my belly button when I had my son fourteen years ago.
I then asked for a scan or something that could see what was going on in my stomach. He denied me, so I was to wait 3–6 months more, and at the point of him doing surgery is when I would find out what was going on. Four surgeons later I finally found one who agreed to ct scan.
I had four hernias all encased in sacs of fat and the umbilical hernia was trapped which is not good. My core which holds your organs in place and gives you balance was shredded. So a double diastasis Recti procedure was needed as well. Which is reconstructing the core.
The pains I was having were due to their hernias and their locations of them. Once I healed from surgery I addressed what I knew to be the only other health issues within me.
A few months after surgery I sort care from a new primary doctor. After running multiple tests it was discovered my pancreas was not pushing out insulin as needed so my levels were high due to this issue. If you have an insulin issue no matter what you do, weight loss will not happen. Once the issue is addressed and medication begins, including dietary changes with exercise. This is when you will see a change.
I DID NOT HAVE FIBROMYALGIA, I experienced long-term extreme overall pain due to four hernias in my body for a long period of time. Since my surgery my pain excluding surgery healing. I have not experienced fibromyalgia or signs of it.
What I can say is this, my pancreas was not pushing out insulin as it should. I need medication which I did not want to go this route. I take injections once a week now on my second pen and 8th injection. I feel no difference better or worse but some slight pain or discomfort in my thighs.
Pay attention to your body, your face will tell your story. If you can not move around due to fibro pain it will be very difficult to drop the weight. Is it weight or inflammation? You can make changes to the type of foods you eat. Cut-out white foods and sugars make a huge difference.
Bless your heart! I would say to you to get a notebook dedicated to writing down everything you eat and how you are feeling every day. Write down your pain levels and fatigue levels and how your food affects you. If any foods cause you to have abdominal pain eliminate them from your diet. Additionally, stop all sugar except in the form of fresh whole organic fruit.
This is because I believe that fibromyalgia is caused by a disorder of the gut biome. This means that you’ve taken so many antibiotics they have stripped the normal bacteria out of your intestinal tract and you now have abnormal bacteria in your gut. You can put them back in by eating probiotics. You can eat raw cheese in moderation, but not pasteurized.
The most available raw cheeses are imported Parmesan, Romano, and swiss cheeses. They should be marked made with unpasteurized milk. Raw cheeses have been fermented and will add good bacteria to your diet but pasteurized dairy products will add inflammation to your body. You should only eat grass-fed butter. Kerry Butter from Ireland is the best known.
You can eat live fermented foods like Bubbies pickles, or Kombucha, or go to your local farmers market and see if anyone is selling live fermented pickles. You want the kind that is only pickled in salt and water, or in whey and has to be refrigerated. You don’t want pickles in vinegar. Other fermented foods are miso (if you can tolerate soy), which is fermented soy paste, and can be used to make yummy soups.
Put a spoonful in a small pot of boiling water, and add green onion, minced ginger, garlic, and a few cut-up veggies. You can also add cut-up firm tofu and or small pieces of meat. Cook until the veggies are barely tender, just a minute or two.
If you are thinking that this doesn’t sound like your normal fast-food diet, you would be right. It will be a new way of thinking for both you and your Mom, and a new way of shopping. You need to have as much organic food as possible, and as little pre-processed and fast food as possible. When you start removing junk from your diet your body will start to tell you when you’re feeding it the right things.
Your pain will decrease and your energy will increase. Say goodbye to chips and crackers and desserts except for fresh fruits. Say goodbye to pizza, hamburgers, and fries. Try eating homemade soups and stews and grilled fish with herbs on, and big salads and lots of veggies.
Make your own salad dressings using fresh garlic, olive oil, lemons, a little mustard, or some herbs. Mince, then mash the garlic with salt, add freshly ground pepper, the juice of 2 lemons, and twice the amount of oil to the lemon juice. stir in a little dijon mustard to taste. You won’t want bottled salad dressing after you’ve tried this!
Make bone broths with organic animal bones. Chicken, beef, and pork all make wonderful broths. Your goal should be to get as much gelatin in the broth as possible, so use the feet. Julia Child’s recipe is the best. The broth will heal your gut and you should eat some every day.
Master Recipe For Basic Stock Julia Child) Recipe – Genius Kitchen You can find chicken feet at farmer’s markets and Chinese grocery stores. And good news, you can eat chocolate, but just a little, and it needs to be at least 70%.
OK, enough food! Exercise if you can. If you’re too tired or too much in pain, then don’t. One of the things people don’t ever understand is how tired you are and how much you hurt. You can’t explain. Don’t even try, unless you use the pain scale, which is a method doctors and nurses use to quantify pain. 1 is no pain and 10 is screaming out loud pain.
So figure out where you are between one and 10 and that will help you to track it. Write that in your notebook every day and show it to people when they tell you to stop being lazy. My rule of thumb is that I can work through it up to level 4.
Level 5 and above is too much pain to be working or exercising through, although I can do seated work at 5–6. If you must take pain medicine, use an NSAID, like Ibuprofen or Naproxen. Don’t take Tylenol. It’s very liver toxic and it’s a useless medicine. It doesn’t touch the pain.
Try not to take pain medicines, because they will ask how you are feeling, and what your diet is doing to you.
Get your doctor to do a nutrition test on you. It’s a blood test that checks your nutrition levels. It’s very common for people with fibromyalgia to be short on magnesium, potassium, and B vitamins, for example. It’s also common to have hypothyroid of one sort or another. You need to test both for T4 and T3, and if you’re low on any of these, then you need to take supplements for them.
Find stuff that’s quiet and constructive that you like to do. Get off your screens if you have any energy. Learn to knit. Paint or find other art projects to do. Make jewelry. Be productive and happy as much as you can. On good days, go to school and try and keep up.
This disease will not change who you are. You are still you, and you are important and lovable. Be good to yourself, and don’t beat yourself up over this, because it’s not your fault. It’s modern life, sad to say.
Post Exertional Malaise is my most annoying symptom. I had to stop exercising during a flare 4 months ago, and trying to get myself where I can go for a swim again is highly frustrating, because even a 50m swim will use up all my energy for the day, so I need my husband to do everything else for me. Almost impossible to coordinate. Everything else I can mostly sort out on my own.
Pacing, aka counting spoons. Rest little and often in between bouts of activity, and you will be able to do more. If you stop overdoing, you will start to heal and feel better.
Learn to say NO!
Exercise, even if it hurts during. If you hurt more afterwards, you did too much – reduce by half next time. If you are more tired the next day, you did too much – reduce by half next time. Start small and increase only very gradually. Try and do some every day, unless overtired. D-ribose may protect you a bit from overdoing. Deconditioning is what causes disability IMHO
Keep a journal of symptoms and treatment, so you know what works and what doesn’t for the future.
Treat the symptoms. If one particular joint hurts, you probably injured it, see a doc. If it’s generalized pain, it’s probably fibro.
Sleeping shouldn’t hurt (much). If it hurts to lie in bed, you need something softer like a memory foam topper.
Massage is wonderful… If you have the right therapist. If it hurts much, get a new one. A good one can take apart your trigger points, reducing pain.
When pain is driving you nuts, have a hot bath with 1 cup (or more) Epsom salts. Keep in mind heat is tiring, so this is best done before bed.
When overwhelmed, go find a dark and quiet spot to rest. TV is not real rest! Nor is having a conversation
Eating sugar will make you tired, guaranteed.
Caffeine energy is fake. Don’t, you’ll feel worse.
If you are stressed out or depressed go see a therapist. No, I am not suggesting this is all in your head, but your head can help or hinder.
Meditate! Or do yoga, or other mind-body techniques. Your body will start to relax. You have no idea how tense you are until you feel yourself relaxing. Tension causes fibro pain.
Don’t rely on your doctor to solve this. The best way to cope is take control. The changes that make the biggest difference are all about lifestyle… all the drugs these days just treat the symptoms and give crappy side effects.
Supplements can be almost as powerful as drugs, if you get someone really good to prescribe. Go find the best in your city. One day I’ll write a list of what works for me, but it’s really really long! In the meantime, here’s a good spot to start.
I’m not telling you what not to do, but a way to get to the point where you can do things. Avoiding things with fibromyalgia is a slippery slope. It reinforces how disabled you are. You need to be active, but very slowly increasing what you’re doing
Go to a physiotherapist and tell them you want to start SLOWLY you are able to move your knee fives. Do it. Tomorrow do six times, and soon. Each day add one muscle group with the same gradual increase. Start doing very short walks just half a block a day for a week, then ¾ block a day for a week. People will say that’s not going to help. Of course, initially, you won’t notice a difference, but after a few weeks, you’ll find you can do a surprising amount.
Tai chi is a very gentle exercise and if you go for only 10 minutes initially and gradually increase You will feel better mentally too. Get input from a physio as to the best muscle groups and how to exercise them.
One of the things that fibromyalgia patients often do his nap during the day. However hard it is, don’t nap. Go to bed at the same time every day and get up at the same time (set an alarm if necessary) Saturday and Sunday too. Getting back into a regular sleep pattern.- patients always said it was impossible.
I’d say if you went to Japan, within a week your sleep pattern would change. So you can do it! It takes determination, but it does help. Sleep disturbance is a major problem with fibromyalgia and it’s not helped by napping. If you wake up in the middle of the night get up for a few minutes have a drink of warm milk or a small snack and go back to bed. If you’re in pain use a hot pack or whatever works for you while you’re having your drink.
Eat meals at regular times. Remember how miserable young children get when they don’t get food on time. Get massages, go swimming in a warm pool ( most Ys have an evening when a small pool is warmed for very young children. Try an aquatic exercise class and remember to start slowly (5–10 ) minutes to start increasing by 10 minutes a week.
One of the big keys to improving fibromyalgia is to consciously get your body back into a routine. Another thing I saw over and over was someone in the early strange of working this program was they’d go out and mow the lawn or spend two hours at the grocery store and lifting heavy bags. Tell everyone when you start what you are doing and that you are working very slowly.
Initially, you need to get lots of help, but after a month you will find you can do a little more. Buy prepared meals or get delivery. Get family members to load the dishwasher, do the laundry for the first few weeks. That’s all exercise. Do not lie around in bed. Read, play music, etc get friends over for tea or coffee go to the movies.
Gradually increase the amount you do as your physical fitness improves. And it will. Can you wiggle your foot five times? Of course, you can. You won’t feel bad tomorrow when you wiggle it 6 times. You can increase daily or alternate days. If you work and sit all day, get up stretch and go for a short walk down a corridor or to the washroom. Sitting in one place really stiffens you
Depression makes management of pain more difficult, so if you are depressed go and see your doctor and get help. Pain clinics and acupuncture can sometimes help. Meditation, relaxation creative imagery with a therapist can help
I have helped many people with fibromyalgia and they usually do very well. The key is to go slowly. If you overdo it you’ll get discouraged. One of my family does sweet nothing for days and then vacuums the house from top to bottom. He then lies in bed for a few days moaning and groaning and feeling martyred. He sabotages any recovery.
Doing things slowly may be frustrating. The house may be in a mess, you may be living on take-out, frozen pizza, etc. But it’s not forever and your family and friends should understand if you explain.
If prescribed take antidepressants, and pain medication. I advise fibromyalgia patients not to get on tranquilizers like Valium Type drugs. They really don’t help fibromyalgia and it’s easy to become dependent. Also, they mess up sleep patterns. A nonaddictive medication for sleep that works quite well with no hangover is Melatonin with L theanine. Just check with your pharmacist that it won’t interfere with any of your other medications
Ask your pharmacist. I know Costco has it So do many stores selling healthy foods, vitamins, etc.
Good luck. If you really commit to this I guarantee you will improve your quality of life. This is not about what to avoid? It’s about getting going and taking control of your illness.
I’ve tried just about every medication possible over the years, and have just recently ended up with a configuration that works for me. Some of these are atypical, and were prescribed for something else but ended up helping.
I am putting my results with each here, because although everyone reacts differently – especially fibro patients – I have found it helpful seeing other people’s experiences in order to help figure out where side effects were coming from and to have suggestions to take to my doctors to see what they think of it. Often there are meds they haven’t considered, or had forgotten about that could be helpful.
For example, was the last resort to pull me out of severe allergy-triggered depression. Doctors refuse to prescribe stimulants for Chronic Fatigue. The Psychiatrist who prescribed it was shocked at the results, saying I responded to it like a narcoleptic. I have been on it ever since, and if I don’t take it, I just end up asleep all day long.
Is a pretty amazing drug. It’s known to cause weight gain though, although I’m only up 5lbs from when I started it almost a year ago, so it doesn’t always. I am unable to take conventional antihistamines anymore, and can’t take prednisone on an ongoing basis or I end up losing my cognitive abilities.
So I asked my doctor for something to suppress my immune system because my fibro was flaring badly. Another patient of hers had been given Doxepin by an allergist, so she gave it to me to try. I haven’t had a major flare since going on it (10mg 2x/day), and my (environmental) allergies have been almost completely controlled. Great stuff!
Is a blood pressure medication and can have an antidepressant effect at higher doses, and also works magically well to prevent migraines. I was getting up to 6/day every day and they were totally debilitating. The neurologist gave me this, and I only get 1 mild migraine a month now. I am on a fairly high dose so get some antidepressant effect as well, but I don’t feel stoned like I did on Effexor, and don’t get the druggy-looking eyes either.
My bp has been low all my life but suddenly went super high last year. This stuff helps control that (along with the Verapamil) and also alleviates excess bloating from food issues, so I no longer look like I might be pregnant after having a meal I didn’t prepare myself (most ladies will be able to relate to this).
I can no longer take painkillers after landing in a pain cycle last summer. I have managed to stay off them almost completely for the past year under this medication regimen. The only time I took anything was after the surgery, and I managed 5 days before the cycle started again. It wasn’t a fun recovery!
Low-dose Hydromorphone was the best of the pain meds for me. I was on Tramacet for years but it stopped working and started fogging up my brain badly. I went on Hydromorphone and my head cleared right up. I also needed far less medication when on it, which was easier on the body. Codeine makes me turn suicidal, so can’t go there.
This is the part of marijuana that doesn’t get you high. I can’t tolerate THC even in the smallest dose, but CBD is an amazing painkiller. It made me hungry but killed the pain. Unfortunately, after a time, it also starts the pain cycle up, so I limit it to emergencies now.
Here’s the thing…when I look around and see people who are much worse off than I am, I feel guilty for struggling at all. In fact, I get angry with myself for even considering their struggles in the first place. Really, my pain pales in comparison to so many others. Who am I to feel sorry for myself? Then I feel shame; I have no right feeling this way.
When did I become so weak? There was a time I believed I could take on the world. Nobody scared me. Nothing scared me. The bigger the challenge, the more I thrived.
When did that change? A year ago, I was facing this latest challenge head-on. I was learning to LIVE with Fibromyalgia. I was reaching acceptance. I was learning to cope and I was getting stronger.
What happened? People came into my life under the guise of helpfulness. They never intended to help me. I don’t know why, but for whatever reason, they have taken away what little peace of mind I had.
This is a long and difficult process, trying to accept this new weak version of me. I am trying not to feel like a failure, though I have failed.
Acknowledging my condition is difficult. Acceptance is painful. Yet these people make me say “I am weak” and “I can’t” over and over again.
Tell me, please what is the answer? I am dealing with someone who lies. Someone who has clearly stated that she does not believe in Fibromyalgia, let alone that I have it. It’s just a label, she says. A label they give to overachieving women, heading toward fifty, who have burned themselves out by doing too much for too long.
I knew I was in trouble the minute I realized she believes she knows more than everyone, including doctors. I was tempted to ask if she also knew the cure but figured I should keep my mouth shut.
She is a bully and I know that I need to stand up for myself, but I am so tired. I do have one distinct advantage though, and that is truth. I have not lied. I will not lie.
Perhaps it’s time to face a weakness I have had for as long as I can remember; the inability to ask for help when I need it. The time has come in my life when I need to ask for help. I can do this, just not alone, and that for me is a difficult pill to swallow.
It’s tough trying to be tough when you watch your poor spoonie dog becoming sicker and sicker. It’s one thing to be running the autoimmune disorder gamut as a human. But, can you imagine how confusing it must be for a dog?
It’s like we just start to get one illness under control and yet another creeps up and knocks poor Leo for another loop.
Pretty much the same way it’s been for me going on 7 or 8 years now. Even some of his blood test results are similar to mine. And, like many of us human chronic warriors, neither his exact illness(es) nor the underlying cause(s) can be pinpointed.
My poor dog Leo keeps getting one medicine after another, which leads to some temporary relief. But then the side effects kick in making matters worse or sometimes causing new illnesses.
I thought I felt helpless riding my health roller coaster. Ha! Now that Leo’s hopped on board, the climb to the top sometimes feels pretty much insurmountable.
Anyway, I’m not complaining because he’s the best dog ever and I love him with all my heart.
Sunny Days Are Here Again
On a sunnier note, warmer days are finally helping to ease the widespread screaming joint pain I was plagued with since the fall. I’ve managed to break through the surface of clutter and disarray that accumulated over the winter.
Feeling a wee bit inspired, and that my chronically fab friends are a start.
Fibromyalgia is complex. If you live with fibro, you know that it’s not as easy as taking a “pill” or any other quick fix and just getting on with your life. Living smarter is about being proactive and taking responsibility for ourselves and our illness, and in that comes empowerment and greater levels of healing.
Listed below are the best books and support for fibromyalgia and chronic illness that I have found. The authors are among the very best in their fields. The ‘nutrition’ related books are the very same ones I have used in my business when working with clients and address the very foundation in both diet and endocrine related issues.
I have provided and will continue to provide books, resources, and links that will help you to create the best quality of life possible. All of the books, products, and resources have been used or utilized by us for many years. We only promote and stand behind things we have used and believe in as tools, not false cures.
The books (available for purchase) here below are not listed in any particular order of importance. In fact, for those patients and family members who are new to fibromyalgia, I very highly recommend starting with the book I often refer to as the ‘fibro bible’, Fibromyalgia and Chronic Myofascial Pain, by Devin Starlanyl.
The Saladacco, or spiral slicer is a great cost effective tool I use often. Eating a whole foods based diet for fibro is easier with tools that support taste, texture and variety. No sharp edges like the razor board, everything is enclosed and easy to use.
I use organic zucchini here. The manual machine allows for either an angel hair type zucchini (on left) OR a flat paper thin texture(on right)
Either way we are creating variety and appeal.
I dress the zucchini with various seasonings or dressings. My favorite includes ginger dressing and avocado. The variety is endless.
One of the only juicers that also properly extracts and juices wheatgrass. Make your own raw nut butters as well ..This juicer is also easy to use and clean. 10 year warranty ..
Excellent choice in juicers … Refer to the Juicing/Blending page for suggestions, recipes and more !!
My favorite Blender.the Vitamix 5200 is a worthy investment in your fibro health.
I had my first vitamix over 17 years. That is with regular use. I am on my second one, it is truly a great investment. with a great warranty and quality high powered blender, its a great tool for improving assimilation of essential nutrients by breaking down the whole food components.
Creating endless variety, from drinks to soups to sauces made at home with safe ingredients.
If price is an issue with a vitamix, the next best rated blender would be the Ninja blender (either the Ninja Professional NJ600 or the Ninja Master Prep Professional QB1004) BPA free and uses good quality blades ..
Remember that we are ‘investing’ in a lifestyle here … and in the long run, quality appliances save money and time.
My favorite food dehydrator, Excalibur, shown on left and shown in use on right. This is an example of how we soak and then dehydrate nuts, seeds and berries, for optimal digestion and removal of enzyme inhibitors..
A dehydrator is a great way to keep foods in their raw, healing form. Enzymes are kept intact and we can create a variety of healthy foods in our own kitchen, from kale chips to grain free cookies.
Although dehydrators are great for dehydrating fruit, I don’t recommend relying on too much fruit sugar. This applies to both kids and fibro bodies alike. Kids can adapt to less overall sugars in their diet when a variety of healthy foods are introduced (but not forced) at a young age. With fibromyalgia, we are best to follow a low sugar, low grain diet.
I use a large bowl in the sink, filled with warm water, soap and the ‘parts’ brush. (The bowl keeps it more hygenic)
After almost 25 years of juicing, I also want it to be as easy as possible, but when people often say they avoid juicing because they don’t like cleaning the juicer? No way, just like with anything, the MORE we do it, the easier it becomes even for fibro people.
Fibromyalgia nutrition is enhanced by both Juicing and Blending; but, the two are different and both serve their specific purpose in assimilation of essential nutrients.
Juicing facilitatesfibromyalgia nutrition more quickly into cells, and is great when people are very nutrient deficient, are feeling toxic and weighed down, or when experiencing an IBS flare.
Blending allows us to incorporate many different nutrients and the RIGHT forms of fiber. Not fiber from a container that actually depletes nutrients.
As a colon therapist, I have worked with various digestive illnesses, and that is where vegetable juicing is going to be preferred over blending in some cases. Also, there are some nutritious substances that are not always tolerated through blending or eating raw, yet can be more easily tolerated when juiced instead.
I recommend BOTH juicing and blending and use the ‘Original Plantfusion‘ protein to create low glycemic, allergen free blender drinks with various ingredients (as shown in the second half of this page) I do not promote whey proteins, as they have many long term issues for digestive health and overall wellness.
But remember, as women we don’t need as much protein, and too much protein can be dangerous for the kidneys. We want just enough for strength and muscle health in forms that are easy to assimilate. Men too really.
That said, blending and/or juicing do not need to be done every day to be effective. Although, as we become more efficient, we will want to make this more of a daily practice which is a lifestyle that supports our well-being and energy levels.
Consider the following suggestions and make juicing / blending part of your weekly schedule.
As an avid juicer for over 30 years now, I still sing the praises of “healthy” juices made at home. I share many tips and suggestions throughout this article, and you will see I use a lot of organic celery as well, but if you cannot get organic celery on a regular basis, then Koyah celery powder is a great choice.
If you don’t have or cannot afford a juicer at this time and you want/need to be juicing, make it a priority. Juicing for fibromyalgia is the optimal way to get raw, live nutrients, minerals and enzymes into the body and bloodstream.
This is the BEST infusion for fibromyalgia nutrition we can give ourselves, especially when sick or deficient.
Focus on organic vegetables and greens when juicing. Fruit is not the best option, especially with hypoglycemia or any blood sugar issues.
An exception to the rule is green apple which mixes well with vegetables and is low glycemic. I share some very good vegetable juice recipes so you won’t miss the fruit. Some are so good, you would think there is fruit of some kind in there!!
Now, because some greens contain goitrogens or oxalates, it is good to go slow if you have any thyroid or kidney issues. Yet, please understand that there is a lot of mis-information out there and juicing organic vegetables is still one of the best things we can do for a healthy body and fibromyalgia nutrition. This is especially true considering the world we live in and the toxins we are exposed to every day.
Parsley should be taken in small amounts as it is high in oxalates. Use organic vegetables when possible; however, if using conventional, at least wash with vinegar and baking soda or hydrogen peroxide. Using a large bowl in the sink is helpful. Avoid cilantro if you have mercury amalgams or are doing any kind of chelation of heavy metals, as it can move metals around the body.
You may not be able to juice every day and for some that is not practical. Just incorporate juicing for fibromyalgia nutrition into your weekly schedule. It is part of healthy, natural healing.
To create better assimilation of nutrients, I always chew some of whatever I am juicing while making the juice. For example, set aside some greens, pieces of carrot, fennel, etc. and chew well to activate digestion; just a small amount is fine. Taking in juice needs to be done slowly as well, even ‘chewing’ the juice to further activate digestive fire and assimilate fibromyalgia nutrition. Avoid drinking the juice too fast.
In addition, having a small amount of raw fat (a teaspoon is fine) such as olive oil, coconut oil, flax oil or avocado before OR with your juice will help to better assimilate juice nutrients.
Juicing for fibromyalgia nutrition can be done anytime, however, “fasting with juice” is another idea only for those who are practiced in juicing. Juice fasting is good starting in small increments.
We don’t want to set ourselves up to fail by trying to fast with juice for too long at one time. Start with 4 hours, then 8 hours, then a full day or weekend. And also eat raw foods during that time if needed, to avoid detoxing too fast or losing resolve or motivation.
NOTE: JUICE FASTING FOR PERIODS OF TIME MAY NEED TO BE DONE UNDER MEDICAL SUPERVISION AND IS NOT APPROPRIATE FOR EVERYONE.
Watermelon juice by itself is a great kidney/bladder cleanser, yet only when taken alone and candida symptoms are not present. (Juice the seeds as well for greater cleansing action)
Remember that the very best way for ongoing detox is through daily lifestyle. A juicing detox, fast, or other means of cleansing can fall short if we have not created a lifestyle to support our efforts. Eliminating food allergens, reducing stress and residing in a nontoxic environment are all essential.
Get started juicing for fibromyalgia nutrition today; just be sure to make it count.
My favorite juicer is shown under Fibro kitchen tools. The Omega stainless steel juices everything well, has a 10 yr. warranty, and is an excellent choice in juicers. However, there are a few other good ones which are lower cost and which I also show on the Fibro Kitchen Tools page.
My Favorite Ingredients/Juicing For Fibromyalgia Nutrition
My favorite organic juice combination: lacinato kale, celery, carrot, green apple, ginger root. The chlorophyll, minerals, calcium, and ginger root are great for healing inflammation in the body and so essential for fibromyalgia nutrition.
2 cucumbers (always have a neutral base), 4 ribs of celery, 2 leaves lacinato kale OR 1 cup spinach. 1 small handful of wheatgrass, a few sprigs of cilantro OR parsely, 1 green apple, 1/2 inch pc. ginger root. Use organic when possible.
Yes, fennel is an excellent addition for better digestion.
It’s a great digestive herb. I make a tea from bulk herbs with extra fennel and have this during my travels.
It supports digestion, relieves that gassy feeling you can get especially while traveling and has a pleasant taste. Mix with anise, rosemary, etc…any other herbs for your specific needs.
The plant can also be juiced, and is an excellent addition to any vegetable juice. Look for it next time you are at the market.
While on the subject of juicing, organic celery is an essential addition to vegetable juices. Celery helps to remove excess androgens from the body as well as giving a great supply of minerals.
I was at a juice bar many years ago while traveling and the lady in front of me said ” no celery, it’s too high in sodium” regarding her juice selection. She had no clue that celery may have been exactly what she needed to balance hormones and help the body to RELEASE excess water and toxins.
My juice today: All organic celery, spinach, romaine hearts, carrot, green apple and ginger root. Lacinato kale is another favorite of mine.
Excellent fruit choice. High in malic acid (an essential element for fibromyalgia nutrition) and lower glycemic than other fruit making them great for us.
They are also better combined than any other fruit, when making vegetable juice for example. Generally use 1-2 green apples per 16 oz. of vegetable combination juice. Choose organic when possible.
Juicing Detox Bile Mover Raw vegetable juices made at home are essential to healing, detoxing, and getting life-giving fibromyalgia nutrition into the cells. Bile movers such as beets are great for the liver/gallbladder because when the liver and bile ducts are congested, this can cause pain in the body.
50% celery/carrots 25% apple 25% beet
(When juicing beets for the first time, I recommend using less than 25% and working up to tolerance. Again, beets are great for moving and cleaning bile ducts, yet we want to go slow to avoid intolerance or GI symptoms)
Note: Please use organic when possible. 8-10 ribs of celery. 3 medium carrots. 1 medium or two small cucumbers. 1 clove garlic. 1 inch piece ginger root. Juice of 1 lime. 1 tsp. Unrefined Apple Cider Vinegar. Optional: A few strands of cilantro for heavy metal detoxing.
I like to have blended foods almost daily. I use the Original Plantfusion which cuts down on lectins through sprouted ingredients, has glutamine for muscle and gut health, and is free of many allergens.
I mix in low glycemic fruit such as green apple, flax meal, greens for cleansing chlorophyll, etc. When blending, always start with less liquid or water, then add more after blending, to avoid it becoming frothy which can affect digestion.
Be sure to get enough protein if going vegetarian, as protein is so very essential to fibromyalgia nutrition and to the healing of one’s body. Just be sure to follow the essential guidelines on the Nutrition Tips page for the best time to ingest protein as well as the optimal time for ‘rest inducing’ whole food carbohydrates.
There is a time and place for both juicing and blending. Above, I give many suggestions for juicing and how to make it more beneficial.
For this article, let’s focus on blended foods and the best combinations for both synergy and health. I eat a blender drink most days; it’s a great choice for fibromyalgia nutrition.
Blending foods and drinks for your fibromyalgia nutrition is the optimal way to start the process of nutrient breakdown and absorption. It can take time to experiment and find what works best, what is both healthy and palatable, and how to make blending more time efficient.
If it becomes a hassle, or we dislike the taste, then we won’t be consistent. Also remember that as with anything, the more we do it, the better we become at making it work for us, so keep working at it.
What follows are just a few of my tips for better blender drinks.
1. Always use variety and continue to try new ingredients. This will keep it fun and interesting. I have personally gotten into “blending ruts” before where I had to change things up and expand my fruit and vegetable variety. This also renews our motivation.
2. When blending, always start with a smaller amount of liquid to avoid the frothy effect and add more liquid AFTER blending. (The frothiness can occur when too much liquid is used initially and can affect optimal digestion)
3. Always blend protein powders with enough bulk items and fiber such as seed meal. This will create a smoother texture and better palatability. (If you’ve been to any gym, you often see people toting a shaker bottle with protein powder and water only. This might be fine for some people, but I have found that people with sensitive GI tracts really need some bulk in their blended drinks). By bulk, I mean enough fruit and vegetable matter to blend well.
Please note that some people with IBS or digestive inflammation may need to focus MORE on vegetable juicing instead of blending until there is no inflammation present.
Also be aware of using excess fruit. Vegetables, greens, spinach are excellent additions and should be used in greater amounts to avoid blood sugar spikes. A small amount of fruit goes a long way. Generally, ½-1 cup of fruit is adequate.
(One of my tricks is to add about ½ cup frozen green beans to my protein blender drinks. This is a great low calorie addition without lending any vegetable taste; the taste is very neutral and you won’t know they are there!!).
4. Adding just a scant amount (a tsp.) of coconut flour is another way to bulken the drinks due to the high fiber content in coconut flour. Other fiber additions include seed meal of any kind including pumpkin, chia, flax or hemp seed. The fiber additions make for a more evenly blended drink and smoother texture.
5. If starting with ingredients that are not frozen, it helps to add ½-1 cup crushed ice or cubes. I have sometimes forgotten this when using no frozen ingredients, and find that it really affects the taste and enjoyment. Keep it a little cool and refreshing!
6. Using enough healthy raw fat also gives a better texture. Using half an avocado per drink is adequate and will lend a smoother consistency. Soaked almonds or walnuts also work great and create a nice taste.
“Healthy”, raw (unheated) fats are essential for the entire fibro body. They create energy, balance blood sugar and are essential for brain health. The BEST way to start the day, and the best way to fibromyalgia nutrition.
(The avocado pit may also be blended but ONLY WITH A VITAMIX OR A BLENDTEC . A regular blender cannot sufficiently break down the avocado pit and will damage your blender. However, if you do have a Vitamix or Blendtec, know that the avocado pit is an excellent form of soluble fiber, vitamin C and is good for the entire GI tract.)
7. It’s important that we adjust our palate when creating blender drinks. We want to focus on low glycemic ingredients. Over time, our taste and craving will adjust, and we will start to prefer less of a sweet taste. Even excessive use of stevia, zylitol or other more natural low calorie sweeteners can keep us ‘needing’ that sweet taste. These are also best used in moderation .
I prefer to take mine with a spoon and glass. I’ve done this for years and it creates a more satisfying ‘meal’ this way.
Be careful if using a straw which can cause gas or bloating if too much air is taken in.
9. Which blender is best? I prefer a high powered blender that will blend anything well. Also with a little more investment up front, we can get an extended warranty. Some brands give warranties up to 7-10 years.
This gives us reassurance and greater commitment to our healthy lifestyle as well. If your inexpensive juicer or blender breaks down after just a couple years, you may not be invested in buying a new one. Vitamix and Blendtec are my two favorite quality blenders. That said, any blender is better than no blender.
10. See below for more options when using fruit in a blender drink.
Start blending today. It’s a smart investment for your healthier fibro body and lifestyle.
1/2 serving Original Plantfusion Protein Powder (unflavored or vanilla bean) OR use your favorite non-allergen protein
12-15 tart red cherries (organic and frozen if possible) 1/4 raw beet 1 oz, pure goji extract (Genesis Today is best) 10 blanched raw almonds 1 Tbsp. seed meal (flax, chia, pumpkin, etc.) 2 ribs organic celery 1/2 cup ice Just enough water to cover ingredients in blender.
Blend in high powered blender and enjoy your antioxidant ‘reds’ drink.
Don’t throw away that pineapple core.
It’s a great addition to any blender protein drink, and is full of bromelain for anti-inflammatory factors.
I vary the ingredients in my morning blender drink to keep it interesting. My additions often include the pineapple core (also lower in sugars than the outer part) a handful of greens, seed meal, Genesis Today probiotic greens, water, ice and of course Original Plantfusion protein. All great fibromyalgia nutrition!
Mix in vitamix or high power blender about 30 seconds or until blended well.
It is best to avoid eating watermelon after meals or mixing with starch or proteins. That is not good food combining and will cause other food to ferment in the GI tract.
Be sure to include the seeds, which are an excellent kidney cleanser. Don’t worry, they blend well and give the drink a good texture.
1/2 serving Original Plantfusion protein powder (Unflavored or vanilla bean) 1 organic banana 2 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder 12-15 raw almonds (first, soak in water overnight and slip off jackets) 2 tsp. hemp seed 5-10 drops liquid stevia or 1 packet xylitol 1/2 cup ice
Add enough purified water to cover ingredients..
Blend.. Drink…Smile!
Kids and adults alike love the taste of chocolate covered banana, and combined with the healthy protein source of Plantfusion, it makes a great low glycemic, higher protein drink to keep the body in balance.
– 1/4 cup frozen organic plain unsweetened cranberries – 1/2 banana – 1/2 avocado (also include pit only when using a vitamix or blendtec) – 2 ribs of organic celery, cut and peeled if needed – 4-5 dark cherries (optional) – 1 tsp. ground seed meal of choice – 1/4 cup water – 1/2-1 serving of ‘Original’ Plantfusion OR Sun Warrior ‘Raw Natural’
Always remember to add LESS water before blending to avoid the frothy effect, and then add more liquid AFTER blending if needed. (Using half cranberry juice also lends a great taste here)
One serving ..Allergen and Sugar Free….low glycemic and high protein And, if you would like additional protein that is tasteless and blends well in any high powered blender drink, the one below is the one I use. Good for skin, hair, and muscle health.
