Many of us suffer from chronic pain and fibromyalgia is the most common form of chronic pain. Fibromyalgia is a condition that is characterized by muscle pain, fatigue, depression, and sleeping disorders. It has been noted that the central sensation felt when neurons in the spinal cord are sensitized by inflammation or cell damage could get involved in a similar manner as the processing of pain in people with fibromyalgia. In fact, the food that you eat may also contain chemicals that trigger neurotransmitters that increase sensitivity.
1. Sugar And Artificial Sweeteners
Chronic pain and fibromyalgia can worsen due to high insulin levels. So, reduce the intake of sugar and artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, sorbitol, and xylitol.1 While sugar cravings are inevitable, you can focus more on eating fresh fruits. Artificial sugars are sugar-free, but they contain compounds that transform sensitivity to pain and trigger irritable bowel syndrome. Start eating more whole foods and cook your own food to avoid hidden sugars.
2. Caffeine
Fibromyalgia is associated with sleep disorders and fatigue, so drinking too much coffee will only worsen the condition.2 Caffeine provides a desired effect for only a very short period of time; in the long run, it can largely affect your sleep and make you suffer from insomnia.
3. Gluten And Yeast
Gluten and yeast are present in baked foods, pizzas, and pastries. If you consume these baked foods on a regular basis, you will stimulate the growth of yeast and fungus in your body, which will only increase the pain you are already suffering from.
4. Dairy Products
Dairy products and other animal products contain a protein that worsens fibromyalgia and arthritis symptoms. Consuming dairy products irritates the tissues that surround the joints and increases the pain. So, if you are suffering from chronic pain conditions, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to go vegan as well.
5. Refined Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are similar to sugars and can increase insulin levels that worsen any chronic condition. This is why it is recommended that people with chronic pain choose to eat low-carb and low-sugar meals, and often plant-based ones.
6. Tobacco And Alcohol
Most of us are aware that the consumption of tobacco and alcohol can deplete our health. But it has been found that consuming tobacco and alcohol can trigger severe health conditions that can affect the joints in the long run.3 Smokers have a greater risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis than others, while people who drink alcohol regularly are at a higher risk of developing gout than those who do not drink alcohol.
7. Food Additives
Food additives such as monosodium glutamate (MSG) and others can cause numerous additional problems for people suffering from chronic pain.It has been proved to trigger headache, migraine, and pericranial muscle tenderness after consumption.4 5 This is because food additives stimulate the pain receptors and increase pain. MSG is often added to fast foods and pre-packaged foods to enhance their taste, so beware if you are in the habit of consuming these foods regularly.
Now that you know what foods and food habits can affect your chronic pain conditions, avoid them as much as possible. Eating low-carb, low-sugar foods and choosing to eat more homemade foods, whole foods, and fruits and vegetables will always help your health and also, keep diseases at bay. Consuming healthy foods can keep the waistline in check as well. So, avoid eating the above mentioned foods and food habits and help yourself recover from fibromyalgia and other chronic pain conditions, keeping your overall health in check.
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