Vegetarian diet- fibromyalgia

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From Karta Purkh Singh, Eugene, Oregon

 

Vegetarian diet has been studied in fibromyalgia (FMS), to good

effect in general.

One of the concerns is that a vegetarian diet will exacerbate

tryptophan deficiency.

A Norwegian study tested the effects of a three week vegetarian diet

for people with FMS. Serum peroxide, plasma fibrinogen, total

cholesterol and high density lipoprotein cholesterol all reduced.

Dr. Russell Jaffe's FMS program uses an alkalinizing diet, which

typically contains a plethora of vegetables, as meat is acidifying.

Studies show that feeding sulfur containing amino acids (cysteine and

methionine), which are abundant in animal protein, to animals, causes

a reduction in bone density. Rats fed a diet of 15% soy protein as a

control did not have this bone loss. Researchers theorize that

homocysteine reacts with collagen in the body's connective tissues,

hastening bone breakdown.

A study tested whether a mostly raw vegetarian diet would

significantly improve fibromyalgia symptoms. Thirty people

participated in a dietary intervention using a mostly raw, pure

vegetarian diet. The diet included mainly raw fruits, salads, carrot

juice, tubers, grain products, nuts, seeds, and a dehydrated barley

grass juice product. The program initially lasted 4 months, but some

continued longer.

Outcomes were measured using standard criteria.

The mean impact score was reduced 46%. Seven of the 8 subscales,

showed significant improvement. Ironically, only body pain, the main

feature of FMS, did not improve. Quality of life measures improved.

Significant improvements were seen in shoulder pain at rest and after

motion, abduction range of motion of shoulder, flexibility, chair

test, and 6-minute walk. At 7 months responders scores for all scales

except bodily pain were no longer statistically different from norms

for women ages 45-54.

This is a pretty impressive intervention, and shows promise for a lot

of people with FMS, considering the non-toxic nature of the therapy.

And we've all got to eat something!