Most people who suffer from Chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia may or may not be aware of how diet effects them.

Here is a list of dietary recommendations for people suffering from fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue.

Following this diet will be helpful to reduce your symptoms as well, help you feel better overall.

• Eat a well balanced diet of 50 percent raw foods and fresh vegetable and green juices.  The diet should consist mostly of vegetables, fruits, whole grains (primarily millet and brown rice), raw nuts and seeds, soy products, skinless turkey or chicken, and deep water fish.  These quality foods supply nutrients and renew energy and build immunity.
• Consider trying massage therapy, which can help to relax muscles and reduce stiffness of the joints
• Include pomegranates and pomegranate juice in your diet.  They have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
• Eat four to five meals daily to keep a steady supply of protein and carbohydrates available for proper muscle function, if the body does not have enough fuel for energy, it will rob the muscles of essential nutrients, causing muscle wasting and pain.
• Drink plenty of liquids to help flush out toxins.  The best choices are steam-distilled water and herbal teas.  Fresh vegetables juices supply necessary vitamins and minerals
• Limit your consumption of green peppers, eggplant, tomatoes and white potatoes – the night shade family vegetables.  These foods contain solanine, which interferes with enzymes in the muscles and may cause pain and discomfort.
• Do not eat meat, dairy products or any other foods that are high saturated fats.  Saturated fats raise cholesterol levels and interfere with circulation. The also promote the inflammatory response and increase pain.  Also avoid fried foods, processed foods, shellfish, dairy foods and white flour products such as bread and pasta.
• Avoid wheat and brewer’s yeast until your symptoms improve.
• Maintain a regular program of moderate exercise.  A daily walk followed by some gentle stretching exercises is good.  If you have been sedentary before, start slowly and be careful not to overexert yourself; this can aggravate symptoms.  Keep in mind that what you need is some amount of daily exercise, not a strenuous workout two or three time a week. Once your body is accustomed to regular exercise, symptoms are likely to improve.  Moderate exercise and stretching help to keep muscles flexible and prevent joints from stiffening night.
• Be sure to give your body sufficient rest.  Set aside at least hours for sleep each night.
• Take a hot shower or a bath upon arising to stimulate circulation and help relieve morning stiffness. Or alternate between hot water and cold water while showering.  Recent studies have shown cold showers to be beneficial for relieving the pain of fibromyalgia.  Hot baths help to relax the muscles.

Adapted from Prescription to Nutritional healing.

By: Sushma Shah, Naturopathic Doctor, at the Nature’s Intentions Naturopathic Clinic.