Originally published October 20 2005
Doctor recommends holistic approach to treating fibromyalgia
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Dr. Michelle Schoffro Cook offers nutritional advice to the millions of Canadians and Americans suffering from fibromyalgia, focusing on nutrition and natural medicine.
If you are among the estimated three to six million people in Canada and the United States suffering from fibromyalgia, you can stop--suffering, that is.
Doctors classify fibromyalgia as a "syndrome," which means that it is a collection of seemingly unconnected symptoms with the main one being unaccountable pain ("myo" means muscle; "algia" means pain) in the muscles.
On the flip side, research shows many natural remedies and therapies are effective.
I have observed many people overcome fibromyalgia by detoxifying their body, adopting a natural whole foods diet, eliminating food sensitivities, improving digestion (which tends to be problematic in fibromyalgia sufferers), and using natural therapies like herbal medicine, massage, and myofascial release.
A nutritional approach Food truly is the best medicine when it comes to virtually any disease or disorder and fibromyalgia is no different.
First, stay clear of foods you suspect are allergens.
Avoid milk and dairy products, sugar (in any form since it depletes the immune system--use the herbal extract stevia instead), artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, alcoholic beverages, caffeinated foods and beverages, soft drinks, food additives, colours, and preservatives, and peanuts.
In addition to being common allergens, most of these foods cause or aggravate inflammation in the body.
Eat a diet high in raw fruits and vegetables (emphasizing the vegetables).
Drink eight to ten cups of pure, filtered water every day (limiting the quantity with meals to a cup to take nutritional supplements) or freshly-made vegetable and fruit juices.
The remaining foods can comprise most vegetables, brown rice, pasta made from buckwheat, brown rice, or quinoa (without any wheat or white flour), legumes, pumpkin or sunflower seeds.
For a holistic approach to healing this disorder, check out my book Healing Injuries the Natural Way.
Dr. Michelle Schoffro Cook, DNM, DAc, CNC, is a Doctor of Natural Medicine, Doctor of Acupuncture, holistic nutritionist, quantum biofeedback therapist, and award-winning author located in Cochrane.
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