It is important to adopt a proactive approach to managing our health, and a good diet may make all of the difference in helping your body cope with the symptoms of Fibromyalgia; consider the following advice a natural and nutritional, rather than a ‘pharmaceutical', intervention to your condition.
It is now well recognised that the human body, much like an engine, runs on fuel. All humans are reliant upon food, our sole energy source, to maintain optimum health. With a balanced diet, it is not too much of a challenge to maintain good health, but if we want to take it to the next level and seek to achieve optimum health, we need to take heed of what is and what isn't good in our diets. Manipulating the diet can help a vast array of ailments, by providing additional support for your immune system, through the process of healthy digestion and efficient elimination of toxins from the body, as well as providing beneficial nutrients to promote the natural production of anti-inflammatory substances called eicosanoids within the body, in order to provide relief from pain in the joints and muscles.
Fibromyalgia is a rheumatic disorder classified primarily by chronic pain throughout the muscles, tendons and ligaments. Individuals may also suffer from headaches, have poor concentration or lack of memory and they may even feel irritable or depressed. By monitoring their nutritional intake of the polyunsaturated fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) found in oily fish, sufferers can help manage their symptoms. Whilst our bodies are naturally equipped to generate EPA by converting the foods which we eat, such as from vegetarian sources such as flaxseed, the rate of conversion, hindered by nutrient deficiencies, viruses, stress, caffeine and other stimulants, is not always sufficient to meet requirements
Within the body, EPA is converted into powerful eicosanoids, which play a major role in the cardiovascular system. These lower blood pressure, increase circulation, exhibit anti-inflammatory properties and reduce triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations. They are known to exhibit anti-inflammatory actions, and play a major role in immune system function, which explains their utility for managing the symptoms which characterise Fibromyalgia, such as severe muscular pain.
During an immune response, signalling compounds, known as cytokines are produced, which permit intercellular communication. When the immune system is fighting pathogens, cytokines are released which proceed to signal the relevant immune cells to travel to the site of infection. Cytokines ‘activate' those cells, stimulating them to generate additional cytokines.
Cytokine production falls into two categories: inflammatory and anti-inflammatory. There is increasing evidence that inflammatory cytokines register in increased numbers in Fibromyalgia patients, explaining many of the associated symptoms such as fatigue, fever, lack of sleep, pain, and aching. By taking pure EPA in the form of Vegepa daily, sufferers can help to manage these debilitating symptoms.
Vegepa, used widely by medical practitioners, is a patented and unique formulation containing ultra-pure EPA from marine fish oil, and GLA from organic virgin evening primrose oil, providing a highly concentrated source of omega-3 & omega-6 long-chain fatty acids and botanical triterpenes. Uniquely, the omega-3 fatty acid DHA is removed, to maximise the potential of EPA in the brain and body. Providing the EPA without DHA (another omega-3 fatty acid), allows the body to produce maximal amounts of the important eicosanoids needed to counteract the inflammatory agents associated with Fibromyalgia. By supplementing the diet with pure EPA, the body is able to convert the EPA into DHA as and when the body needs it, without interfering with the healthy production of the anti-inflammatory eicosanoids.
Dr Nina Bailey specialises in the role of fatty acids in health and
disease, with a primary interest in the omega-3 fatty acid EPA from marine
fish oil. For more information on Dr Nina Bailey, please visit http://www.drninabailey.com/ , and for additional information concerning how fish oils could help you, go to http://www.igennus.com/
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