Dietary Stress
Dietary stress? It may seem surprising and a little alarming that the foods we eat are causing us stress.
Inflammatory foods cause stress in the body. Any and all processed foods that contain salt, sugar, preservatives and additives etc. cause stress to our digestive system. This in turn affects our whole bodies.
So a diet consisting of pizza and doughnuts can not only make us fat but can also cause the Fibromyalgia sufferer pain, fatigue and depression.
Along with inflammatory foods such as sugar, cakes, pastries, biscuits, desserts, ice cream, sugary drinks including fruit juices, white bread, pasta, crisps, crackers, vegetable oil, corn oil, processed foods and fried foods, too much salt, processed meats such as bacon and sausages and too much alcohol there is also the issues of gluten and lactose. All of these foods can cause dietary stress.
" Dietary stress can be defined as the ways in which the food we take into our bodies affects the digestive system, making organs such as the stomach and intestines work harder in order to process the food we have eaten."
Christopher Hole
Gluten Intolerance Dietary Stress
Gluten is a protein found in many grains such as wheat, barley and rye that is in fact indigestible. Eaten in small quantities it is not an issue but our Western diet includes gluten in many, many foods.
Many people with Fibromyalgia become gluten intolerant or as it is sometimes termed gluten sensitivity. If they eat gluten it causes an inflammatory response in the digestive system. This causes stress on the body and ultimately triggers pain, fatigue and mood problems.
Celiac disease should not be confused with gluten intolerance. Celiac disease is different to gluten sensitivity in that it is an autoimmune disease. A simple blood test can confirm the disease, whereas gluten intolerance cannot be tested.
If you believe you have developed gluten sensitivity, as I did, you may have digestive symptoms such as bloating, excess gas, abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation and nausea.
However gluten sensitivity does not just affect the digestive system. Other symptoms include headache, brain fog, fatigue, depression, anxiety, insomnia, joint pain and tingling and numbness in extremities.
Do these symptoms sound familiar?
Yes, they exactly duplicate those of Fibromyalgia!
You may choose to cut out gluten for a period of no less than 2 weeks to see if it makes a difference to your symptoms. I would suggest steering clear of the ‘Gluten Free’ ranges of foods as they contain substitute fibre such as rice starch, potato starch or other grain starches. These may have a detrimental effect on you, if consumed in large amounts.
Nourishing your body with whole foods that are entirely unprocessed is the best way to eliminate stress caused by dietary intake.
Oily fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines are anti-inflammatory foods and will not cause stress to your body. Olive oil is excellent and can be used on leafy green salad leaves with the addition of tomatoes for an anti-inflammatory salad. Nuts such as Brazil, almonds, walnuts are also anti-inflammatory. Fruits such as blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and cherries are also anti-inflammatory. Green vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts and spinach are also good.
Lactose Intolerance Dietary Stress
Lactose can also be a problem for Fibromyalgia sufferers. Similar to gluten intolerance lactose can be problematic. Lactose is the protein found in milk. Some people are allergic to dairy from birth and again this can be tested via a blood test. Lactose intolerance is different and cannot be tested.
Symptoms of lactose intolerance include nausea, excess wind, stomach rumbling, bloated stomach, stomach pain and cramps.
Again the best way to assess whether lactose is a problem for you is to eliminate all dairy products containing lactose from your diet for a minimum of 2 weeks. This is easier than it used to be as lactose free milk, cheese and other products are now readily available. The milk is treated with a substance called lactase which neutralises the lactose.
Read more about Stress and how it is one of the key factors in my Fibromyalgia cure.