ImmuneSupport.com How Diet Could Be Effecting Your Symptoms

ImmuneSupport.com. You are the nutrition columnist for O, Oprahs magazine, and youve written a book called The Way to Eat. To what extent do you believe unhealthy eating or being overweight or obese contributes to chronic illness Do you have a standard protocol for patients to follow to overcome their pain and fatigue through diet and nutrition

Dr. Katz. The way we eat influences all aspects of our health. This is little more than self-evident. Food is, after all, the fuel that runs all aspects of our metabolism. Just as the fuel put into a machine influences its overall function, so with the food we choose. And in the modern world, our choices are unfortunate for the most part. Far too much fast food and highly-processed food. Too many calories, too much saturated and trans fat, too much sugar, refined starch and salt. and not nearly enough wholesome, natural, unprocessed foods, especially vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.

The modern diet is also unbalanced in a critical way that directly influences immune function. The balance between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in the diet determines the balance between the bodyas pro- and anti-inflammatory chemicals. the fatty acids are the precursors for these chemicals. Whereas our ancestors had a fairly even balance between these two varieties of essential fatty acid, the modern diet provides an enormous excess of pro-inflammatory omega-6s. Restoration of balance, through diet or use of a supplement, is very important to overall health, and can offer therapeutic benefit in inflammatory conditions, and auto-immune states.

We invariably address diet with all of our patients. We at times use elimination diets to remove food allergens. We work to achieve the right balance of various nutrients to optimize immune function. But mostly, we guide our patients toward a healthful diet as the foundation for all of our other interventions.

The two-part clinical study enrolled a total of 110 participants with IBS. Group one consisted of 98 participants who at enrollment were consuming a low-fiber or average-fiber diet, who were then put on a high-fiber diet. In this group, 26 percent reported an overall improvement in well-being. Abdominal pain and bloating decreased in 22 percent and 26 percent of participants respectively.

Group two consisted of 12 participants who at enrollment were already consuming a high-fiber diet plus the 69 participants from group one who reported an inadequate response to the high-fiber diet. Group two participants continued to consume their high-fiber diet throughout the study and were randomized to receive a 12-week course of either paroxetine or a placebo. All participants began with a dosage of paroxetine of 10 mg/day. Participants who experienced improvement in their condition were instructed to continue at the same dosage while those who experienced no improvements were instructed to increase their dosage.

In fact, its become pretty widely accepted that both additives can affect the human nervous system. When both were eliminated from the diet, there was a dramatic improvement in a handful of patients. The same thing is being seen in more since the publication. Jerry Smith, Pharm D, the senior author of the study, said the results dont mean that every patient will respond to this.

But I tell them. Try It. It is not going to hurt you. Those who respond typically have what Dr. Schmidt calls an aggressive form of fibromyalgia - persistent pain and sleep disorders. We do not state unequivocally that MSG caused their fibromyalgia, he cautioned.

Smith, Schmidt and the other researchers used some past studies as a springboard. Investigations of laboratory animals have shown injections of glutamate result in damage to nerve cells in the brain.

Could it be that there will be an anti-fibromyalgia diet on the horizon Schmidt doesnt discount it. Its very complex, he warned. It may be that diet plays such an important role in some people, that increasing certain nutrient-rich foods will lead to better health for some of them. In others, ordinary meals and a daily multivitamin perhaps would do comparably.

He noted that there have been reports of both the beneficial effects of magnesium and other supplements. One review of the medical literature turned up promising evidence for herbal medicines in the treatment of osteoarthritis Rheumatology 2001. 40.779-793. In yet another, a vegan diet free of gluten was shown to improve the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, when 22 patients in the vegan group were compared with 25 others Rheumatology 2001.40.1175-1179.

Its likely that there is such a spectrum of factors, from genetic to environmental to nutritional, that the response to any regimen will vary among groups of patients, Schmidt pointed out. In any event, when it comes to fibromyalgia this much is certain. It needs more attention. I am seeing patients who have been to 20 other doctors, he observed. His first response is to curb the problems that seem to be causing some troubling disruptions in a normal life. First and foremost, thats usually pain.

When pain medications work, the less-intrusive symptoms can be addressed. There is no one program, Schmidt said, stressing that it usually takes some time to tailor the treatment to the individual.

Hes found that fibromyalgia patients to be among the most compliant he has ever treated, and he believes that the depression so commonly seen - and blamed - for the condition frequently is an outgrowth of it, not an underlying cause.

That is just what he told his formerly suicidal patient, a successful business woman who seemed caught up in a destructive cycle of symptom control, followed by flare-ups. I cant fix you, he told her. But her could help her manage the illness, he said.

Schmidt said effective drugs for pain and eradication of dietary additives helped in this case. The result A relatively happy ending. By maintaining a good diet, getting enough rest and taking a daily bout of exercise that involves a short walk, she stays functional, he said. Perhaps most of all, the patient has learned her health complications are not all in her head. Every holiday season, as the pressures mount and she exerts herself, she discovers that all over again. During that season, she may require more medication, Dr. Schmidt said.

By Colleen Black-Brown

There has been little information available from the scientific community on nutrition and diet for fibros. Research has not yet proven that any specific foods affect fibromyalgia FM, positively or negatively. But we do know that eating a good balanced diet helps everyoneas body function at its best. Good nutrition can help in your health and healing. Eating healthful foods including those low in fat and high in immunity boosting antioxidants and phytochemicals may work together to help maximize energy and alertness and minimize constant fatigue and lethargy.

Many people have overcome their FM symptoms by changing their lifestyle and diet. Mary Moeller, author and spokeswoman on FM, now enjoys a state of remission from her FM symptoms by making a few changes in her lifestyle. To reach this ideal she advocates eliminating 4 foods completely from your diet

by Ivanhoe Newswire
ImmuneSupport.com

12-05-2001

Editoras Note. This article is reprinted with permission from Ivanhoe Newswire.

Anywhere from 3 million to 6 million Americans suffer with severe pain all over their bodies. The condition is known as fibromyalgia. Doctors say the cause of the pain is unknown and there is no cure. However, some patients are finding relief by changing their diets.

A walk is how Darlene starts each day. Its something she couldnt do nine years ago. Darlene suffers from fibromyalgia. Basically, five days out of the week I didnt get out of bed. Oh, a couple of hours during the day, but thats about it, she says.

After years of therapy and 13 different medications, Darlene tried a new treatment -- a changed diet. She eliminates two things -- aspartame and monosodium glutamate or MSG. Today her pain is gone.

Darlene says, I woke up about three weeks later, and I didnt hurt when I got out of bed.

Family practitioner Siegfried Schmidt, M.D., had four other patients like Darlene try this diet. The patients suffered from allergies and fibromyalgia. He says the results surprised him.

These people are back to normal life, which is, when you come from chronic pain, to be normal, this is a miracle, says Dr. Schmidt, of the University of Florida.

Dr. Schmidt thinks the chemicals in the food could affect the brain and cause the pain. He says, To me, in a disease where we have no treatment, we dont know what it is, but we can eliminate it in some people with just a dietary regimen ... What are we waiting for

It is difficult for Darlene to think about the years she lost. I get sad about it because I would have like to have known earlier, she says. At least now, she can finally enjoy life again.

Eliminating MSG and aspartame from your diet is more difficult than you may think. It can be listed under another name. Darlene says she has to read labels very carefully and eat a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables. She says if she accidentally eats aspartame or MSG, the pain comes back within hours.

Source. Fibromyalgia Relief -- Research Summary Television News Service/Medical Breakthroughs AIvanhoe Broadcast News, Inc. December 2001.

BACKGROUND. Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue and multiple tender points. Tender points are particular spots in the neck, spine, shoulders and hips, which hurt when pressed. According to the American College of Rheumatology, fibromyalgia affects 3 million to 6 million Americans. It primarily occurs in women ages 20 to 50, but children, older adults, and men can also be affected. The cause of fibromyalgia is unknown and there is no proven cure.

Often treatments focus on managing pain with a combination of exercise, medications, physical therapy and relaxation techniques. To diagnose fibromyalgia, the American College of Rheumatology developed two criteria in 1990. A history of chronic widespread pain persisting for more than three months, localized pain when light pressure is applied in at least 11 of 18 designated tender points at locations throughout the body.

DIET TREATMENT. Siegfried Schmidt, M.D., from the University of Florida in Gainesville, conducted a case study of patients who suffer from allergies and fibromyalgia. The four patients studied had been diagnosed with fibromyalgia for 2 to 17 years. All patients underwent multiple treatments with limited success. The patients were asked to eliminate monosodium glutamate, or MSG, and aspartame from their diet.

Within months, all of the patients had complete or nearly complete resolution of their symptoms. Also, all patients reported a return of pain when they ate MSG or aspartame accidentally. Dr. Schmidt says the elimination diet is not a cure for fibromyalgia. He says the diet does not work on all patients with fibromyalgia. Instead, he has found most patients who have the combination of allergies and fibromyalgia may find relief from their symptoms by eliminating MSG and aspartame. While its not clear why this works, Dr. Schmidt says it may be because these substances can affect brain chemicals which control the pain a patient feels. Dr. Schmidt points out MSG and aspartame are not causes of fibromyalgia.

THE TOUGH DIET. Eliminating MSG and aspartame is tough to do. Many processed foods contain these items and the consumer may be unaware since they can be listed as other ingredients. According to the Truth in Labeling Campaign, the following substances always contain MSG. Autolyzed yeast Calcium caseinate Gelatin Glutamate Glutamic acid Hydrolyzed protein Monopotassium glutamate Monosodium glutamate Sodium caseinate Textured protein Yeast extract Yeast food Yeast nutrient

by Keith Mulvihill
ImmuneSupport.com

11-07-2001

Lead investigator Dr. Joel S. Edman of the Center for Integrative Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, presented the findings at the annual meeting of the American College of Nutrition in Orlando, Florida, earlier this month.

People suffering with fibromyalgia dont need to completely change their life, but food may be a contributing factor to their condition, Edman told Reuters Health.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition, often accompanied by depression and fatigue, in which a person feels pain in the muscles and tissues surrounding the joints. Nine in 10 fibromyalgia patients are female. While the cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, researchers have found pain-processing abnormalities in the spines and brain stems of some people with fibromyalgia.

In the study, Edman and colleagues reviewed medical charts of 17 fibromyalgia patients who agreed to eliminate common foods from their diet such as corn, wheat, dairy, citrus, soy, and nuts.

After two weeks without eating any of the potential food allergens, nearly half of the patients reported significant reduction of pain, and 76reported a reduction in other symptoms such as headache, fatigue, bloating, heartburn, and breathing difficulties, according to Edman. Two patients experienced an increase in symptoms.

11-17-2003

Fat, Fructose May Worsen Gastric Upset

By Charlene Laino
WebMD Medical News

Reviewed By Brunilda Nazario, MD on Monday, October 13, 2003

Oct. 13, 2003 Baltimore -- Can avoiding certain foods help to relieve the bloating, tummy aches and general misery associated with irritable bowel syndrome

Thats the intriguing possibility raised by two new studies that show that fat and fructose, the simple sugar found in honey, fruits, and some soft drinks, may contribute to symptoms of the misunderstood gastrointestinal syndrome that affects more than 1 in 10 Americans.

The research was presented here this week at the 68th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology. Young K. Choi, MD, of the University of Iowa in Iowa City, studied people with irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, whose bodies cannot absorb fructose properly.

Irritable bowel syndrome is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders, affecting almost 58 million Americans. People who suffer from it have symptoms of abdominal discomfort or pain, and they can alternate between diarrhea and constipation.

In this study, those who were able to eliminate fruit and other fructose-rich foods from their diet were rewarded with an improvement in symptoms, Choi says.

While not as well known as lactose intolerance, fructose intolerance is quite common, affecting one-third to one-half of patients with symptoms of IBS, Choi says.

The researchers tested 80 patients with suspected IBS. 30 were found to be fructose intolerant. The patients were taught what foods are high in fructose and urged to avoid them.

After one year, interviews with 26 of the patients showed that only one-half stuck to the fructose-restricted diet, Choi says. But those who did stick with the program reported significantly less abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea than before changing their diets, he says. Not surprisingly, those who cheated on their diets showed no improvement in symptoms.

Avoiding fructose is no easy task, says Kevin W. Olden, MD, associate professor of medicine in the division of gastroenterology at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz. High-fructose corn syrup is a hidden ingredient in everything from cola to lemonade, he says.

Richard G. Locke III, also of the Mayo Clinic, says he wonders whether patients in the study really had IBS. Fructose intolerance can cause pain, bloating, and diarrhea -- the same symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome.

We used to think people who were intolerant to milk had IBS, but now we know they have lactose intolerance, Locke says. The same thing could be happening here. Its a matter of labeling.

The important thing is to know that fructose can cause these symptoms, says Yuri A. Saito, MD, MPH, also of the Mayo Clinic. Most people are not even aware of this.

In the second study, Saito and colleagues in the division of gastroenterology and hepatology found that people with IBS tend to reach for high-fat, low-carb foods. These dietary factors may contribute to some of the symptoms suffered by gastrointestinal disorders such as IBS.

They are also significantly more likely to suffer from food allergies than people who dont have gastric woes, the study suggests.

The researchers studied 221 Minnesotans, about half of whom suffered from IBS or other gastrointestinal problems. All the participants filled out detailed questionnaires that asked about their diet, and about half of those in each group also kept a diet diary for one week itemizing exactly what they ate and when.

The study showed that fat comprised a greater proportion of the total calories taken in by people with IBS each day for healthy people. Carbohydrates, on the other hand, accounted for a lower proportion of their total caloric intake.

No significant differences were found for protein, fiber, iron, calcium, niacin, or vitamins B, C, D, or E.

Saito says further studies are needed to look at whether fat causes gastrointestinal symptoms in people with IBS.

In the meantime, she does not recommend any blanket change in diet recommendations. Instead, people who suffer from IBS should work with a doctor, nurse, or nutritionist to uncover any foods that make them feel worse.

by Melissa F. Thompson
ImmuneSupport.com

02-13-2002

Do you suffer from migraine headaches, confusion, hay fever, airborne allergies, insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome or sinusitis All of these problems are common with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome CFS. But, did you know that each of these symptoms could be caused or made worse by food allergies or sensitivities

Many people have food sensitivities or food allergies, and CFS patients often have food reactions as part of the symptoms of the disease. Classic food allergies are rare, but food sensitivities are very common. Similar to the malfunction of the immune system in CFS, food sensitivities are also caused by an over-production of cytokines. Cytokines help to kill foreign invaders, such as viruses. However, cytokines can also be produced when reactive foods are mistaken by the immune system for foreign invaders, resulting in severe fatigue.

Food reactions can cause many symptoms that are similar to those experienced by people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.1 These symptoms include joint pain, chronic pain, cognitive disorders, digestive disorders, acne, depression and anxiety. To determine whether these symptoms are a part of a larger disease, like CFS, or due to reactive foods, a medical blood test or an elimination diet can be performed. There are many physicians that specialize in food allergies and sensitivities, and they feel that doing a combination of both most often provides the most accurate test results.

Once you have consulted with your physician and you both agree that you may have food sensitivities, you can determine your reactive foods. The seven most common foods that people have reactions to include wheat, milk, sugar, soy, peanuts, corn and eggs.2 These foods are common ingredients in many prepared and processed foods. Eating convenience foods on a routine basis constantly exposes the immune to system to these potential allergens. For example, even if you did not eat whole corn today, you may have consumed corn products found in high fructose corn syrup, corn oil, catsup, margarine, salad dressings, candy, bread and sodas. To properly perform an elimination diet, you must be able to read food labels and identify potential sources for the reactive food.

You may suspect that you have sensitivities to one or more of these foods. To begin the diet, you eliminate all potentially reactive foods for 7-10 days and then reintroduce each food back into your diet.3 You should not take antihistamines during the test and re-introduction period because allergic symptoms may be masked and erroneous results may occur. When the sensitive food is re-introduced back into your diet, symptoms may occur within a few hours up to the following morning. However, some people experience delayed food reactions, which may not occur for up to 3 days after consuming the reactive food. To detect all potential food reactions, it is important to slowly introduce the suspected foods at a rate of not more than 1-2 foods per day.

by Sarah Myhill, M.D.
ImmuneSupport.com

10-31-2000

Editors Note. Sarah Mayhill, M.D., is a British doctor working both for the National Health Service and with a private practice. About 10of her NHS patients suffer from CFS and approx 70in her private practice have it. Dr. Myhill is a medical advisor to Action for ME, a national support organization in the UK for ME/CFS sufferers. She is also the Honorary Secretary of the British Society for Allergy Environmental and Nutritional Medicine.
Dr. Myhill has written extensively about CFS over the years, covering all aspects of the disease from diagnosis to causal theories to treatments. This excerpt is adapted from her book aDiagnosing and Treating Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and is used with permission of the author.

People often ask me what is a healthy diet and of course there is no simple answer. There is a current fad for low fat diets but these also have their drawbacks. It seems there is a higher incidence of accidents and depression with low fat diets. This is thought to be caused by changes in neurotransmitters on low fat diets, meaning they make you sad and clumsy.

In the management of CFS, I am increasingly coming to the view that low fat diets are bad for you. We know from nutritional studies that most CFS patients have low levels of omega three, omega six and arachidonic acid i.e. the whole spectrum of fats. Whether this is the cause or effect is unknown. However, it seems reasonable to try to correct this through diet.