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Diet for Managing Symptoms
People who have severe Fibromyalgia (FM) or CFS/ME may do better if they completely avoid
both MSG (monosodium glutamate) and also NutraSweet (aspartame), the artificial
sweetener. Both glutamate (in MSG) and the amino acid, aspartic acid (in aspartame)
stimulate pain augmenting receptors within the spinal cord. These are called NMDA
receptors. Some individuals with FM and CFS/ME improve very much on a diet that avoids
MSG and aspartame.
In addition to these restrictions,
Dr. Richard Podell, one of the nation's leading experts on
alternative therapies, finds that many people with chronic illness tend to do better
with sensible diet therapy. Dr. Podell says to aim for five plus servings daily
of multi-colored fruits and vegetables. (Nutrition science defines one "serving" as
1/2 a cup.) Eat modest-size meals without excess fats, sugars or simple
carbohydrates. Perhaps, easier said than done, but many patients have reported benefit
from just a few weeks on this "Fibromyalgia diet".
Occasionally, people with FM and CFS/ME improve with the elimination of foods to which
they personally are sensitive. Wheat/gluten, milk, yeast, and sugar are
occasionally culprits. Here are some more foods that are reported to affect their
symptoms:
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