Dealing with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue

     Fibromyalgia (FM) and Chronic Fatigue syndrome (CFS) are diseases that are becoming more and more common in our society. Women are 80% more likely than men to suffer from this syndrome. It is more common during the ages of 30 to 60 years old. The symptoms are so diverse that it is often difficult to accurately diagnose. Click here for our fibromyalgia questionnaire. It helps to pinpoint some other health factors that may need clearing up to optimize your health. If you are a practice member please bring it to your next visit. The symptoms are:

• pervasive fatigue that is not relieved by sleep
• headaches
• chronic stiffness and muscle pains
• poor sleep such as insomnia and frequent waking
• restless leg syndrome
• chronic swollen glands and sore throat
• depression and anxiety
• digestive disorders such as bloating, diarrhea and constipation
• poor focus and other cognitive dysfunction
• hormonal imbalances such a pms, menopause, low libido or erectile dysfunction

There are many theories on the cause of FM and CFS. There seems to not be one mechanism at play with these diseases.

• One theory that has been researched is that the people with FM/CFS muscles and nerves running to the muscles and skeletal system do not receive adequate oxygen and nutrients. It seems as though those with this problem have an increase in N.O. nitric oxide produced within the cells which leads to oxidative stress and inflammation.
• Often an infection acts as a trigger for FM and CFS. People may show with blood work that the infection has cleared but the lethargy, inflammation and depression continues. The epstein barr virus that causes mononucleosis is thought to be a trigger for CFS. 
• Overlapping diseases may cause some of the symptoms of FM and CFS such as hypothyroidism, depression and diabetes. Therefore diseases such as these should be ruled out.
• Poor elimination of toxins and waste from the liver, kidneys and intestinal tract play a role in these diseases. Processing of hormones also can pose a problem for FM and CFS sufferers.
• Microbial overgrowth such as fungus, bacteria or parasites and general immune function is often seen.
• Heavy metal toxicity can cause many symptoms of FM and CFS.
• Poor digestion and absorption of nutrients contribute to problems in this disorder.
• Food allergies or environmental sensitivities aggravate the symptoms. Especially digestive and pain.

     Typical medical treatments of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue are the use of antibiotics for infection, antidepressants (such as amitryptyline, prozac, paxil and celexa), pain killers (like tylenol, advil, toradol) and sleeping pills, all of which have a number of side effects and can be addictive. Using a medication in the short duration may be required in some cases.

What can you do to combat this condition naturally?

• Maintain a healthy weight. Studies have shown that engorged fat cells emit inflammatory messengers that cause pain and oxidative stress on the body. For every ten pounds one is overweight, it can put and extra thirty to fifty pounds of stress and pressure on the spinal column and weight bearing joints. For more information on weight loss, check out our book online, "Your Drug Free Guide to Healthy Weight Loss". Sometimes weight loss is tough if you find it hard to get out and exercise. Also sometimes the mind gets in the way of eating a more healthy diet. Our book outlines wrapping your mind around weight loss as well as emotional eating.
• Exercise daily. It releases endorphins and helps prevent the joints from losing their elasticity. It also aids in lymphatic drainage. Walk bike or swim. You can do small increments. Stretching is also important to help keep your joints supple and more fluid. An interesting study published in the Journal of Rheumatology found aerobic activity beneficial for FM symptoms and moderate improvement for weight training.
• Do not smoke. It increases your nitric oxide (N.O) output and increases pain and inflammation. A study published in the American Journal of Physiology for Heart and Circulation found that smoking increases N.O. output and increases the risk for hypertension. The increase in N.O. was mentioned by Professor of biochemistry, Dr. Martin Paul, in the MCS Journal. This journal researches multiple chemical sensitivities and environmental illness.
• Clear your mind of negative chatter. It is not uncommon for those with this disease to have had many life stressors that have not been able to leave their mind and has resonated deeply in their nervous system and muscles. Often times people with fibromyalgia overwork themselves and have feelings of guilt, depression and anxiety. Self help writer Louise Hay wrote that people with FM and CFS have been brought up to feel guilty. They have been trained to be "good" by parental guilt trips. A child is always striving for perfection that cannot be achieved. Stiff muscles can be linked to rigid thinking. An interesting theory that may or may not resonate with the FM or CFS sufferer. Regardless this disease can cause depression and anxiety. Take up yoga, meditation, tai chi or go to a counsellor to help release some stress and guilt on yourself. Take the time you need to heal a stressed mind.  
• Eat a healthy whole food diet. Our North American diet seems to have shifted away from real food. Unrefined foods such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables and lean meats and beans help to keep our body healthy and running well. Many people who suffer with fibromyalgia eat a diet that contains 1/3 of it from sugar and refined carbohydrates. This puts a burden on the digestive tract, alters immune function and allows bad bacteria to proliferate in the intestinal tract.
• Figure out if you have food allergies by doing EAV testing in the clinic or a laboratory blood test at the clinic. Click here to view a sample report of the blood testing.
• Do a heavy metal test to check for heavy metal toxicity. Click here for a sample of a report for a hair mineral analysis or fecal metal profile.
• The following supplements have shown benefit in some people such as D. Ribose, Magnesium, B Vitamins such as B6 and Malic Acid.
• Magnesium is essential to healthy muscle function. The enzymes that liberate energy from ATP require magnesium to function properly. A review of studies on magnesium and malic acid found that blood levels of these two nutrients vary considerably in people with fibromyalgia, but multiple, controlled studies have found magnesium and malic acid to be effective in relieving the symptoms of fibromyalgia (Holdcraft LC et al 2003).
• Pyridoxine (B6) is required to boost the action of magnesium and malic acid in the creation of ATP. Vitamin B6 supplementation may be considered for patients with fibromyalgia whose vitamin B6 levels are abnormally low.
• Melatonin is a pineal hormone that has been used to aid in sleep and has been found to be of benefit in proper sleep and waking cycles.
• Omega 3 fatty acids help to decrease inflammation in the body.

Blast the Fat Weight Loss Group In the New Year!

We are starting into a new weight loss group in the New Year. This group is not for the faint of heart but those who want a challenge and desire to make changes to see the maximum results. The benefits of this group are:

• an average weight loss of 8 to 10 pounds per month. Maximum weight loss we have seen is 24 pounds.
• meet with a group of like-minded folks who want support and sharing
• reduce your cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure and body fat percentage thru diet
• learn what and how to eat to blast the fat
• learn what exercises you should do to trim up
• weekly recipe sharing
• learn how to wrap your mind around your goals
• learn what supplements have scientific research around weight loss and what ones do not

Starting Date: Wed. January 4th at 730pm for five weeks.

Call now to join the group. We only have three spaces left in the group. Cost for newcomers $250.00, join before December 10th, 2011 and save $50.00. Returning participants contact the office to register.

December Coupon For New Practice Members Only

Book an initial appointment with a live cell test and receive a complimentary food sensitivity testing using EAV.

Please bring this coupon to your appointment. Offer expires December 31, 2011

Are Your Friends or Family Feeling as Well as They Should? 

     We know you want your friends and family to be healthy and some of them just don't feel as well as they should. For the month of October and November, if you refer a friend to the clinic for an initial appointment, you will receive a free live cell test with your next visit (coupon value of 70.00). We will email or mail you a coupon after your referral has had their appointment. 

Holiday Closures

• Thursday December 22nd
• Friday December 23rd
• Thursday December 29th
• Friday December 30th

Packages for Regular Clients 

     For a few months we have offered coupons for live cell tests and visits. We now have new packages that save you even more money on your visits, live cell tests and your supplements. For more information click here

Check out our books online