What specific foods should I eat to increase my energy? I have fibromyalgian with chronic fatigue. Thanks?

Answer 1

Hi fellow chronic-fatiguer! Funny you should ask this question. I just had an Iridology report done on me and the practitioner immediately saw that I had recurring issues with Eppstein Barr (chronic fatique). He said that was due to poor adrenal gland functioning. I have also heard that from another NMD. There are tons of supplements out there to increase adrenal functioning and give you your energy back. Do some research on the internet.

Here is one such supplement http://store.nationalsupplementcenter.com/371400409909.html

Answer 2

I also have both of these. I always feel better when I am able to cut out the sugar and eat less carbs. The Idiots Guide is great, I also recomend The Fibromyalgia and Chronic Myofacial Pain Handbook and anything written by Miryiam Williamson. These books do a great job of explaining why and give lots of other great diet suggestions

Answer 3

I think you have to tailor your dietary needs to where you are in your disease process. Exercising basic good nutrition is essential to get the nutrients and calories. On those days that cooking/meal prep are difficult, I have had friends with either CFS or fibromyalgia have either a Slim-Fast canned shake or even a glass of Carnation Instant Breakfast with 2% milk. Both have most of the nutrition you need daily and the fiber that helps with some of the meds you might be already taking for your fibro. Even having a plain yogurt-fresh/frozen fruit smoothie is great for a individual meal replacement. Any good multi-vitamin should be the bed rock of your medication regime just pay attention to the time you take with and whether it will counter act any of your other medications. Good luck.

Answer 4

My uncle had a form of cancer and had no energy. He also had no appetite. My mom bought him those Ensure drinks. He said those tasted good to him and they helped give him some energy.

Answer 5

I added A.C.T. to my daily diet. I've experienced an amazing increase in energy and feeling of well-being. I don't want to be without it!

Answer 6

It depends what energy you want if you want quick energy, you should eat whole grains or sweet things. if you want long lasting energy, you should eat meat that is low in fat.

Answer 7

high fiber, low fat foods, avoid artificial sweeteners.

lots of fruit, veggies, and high fiber cereal like "kashi", couscous, and brown rice

Answer 8

oranges and B vitamins

Check this out: http://www.prevention.com/article/0,5778,s1-1-74-563-4399-1,00.html

Answer 9

Below is an excerpt from the book "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Fibromyalgia" By Lynne Matllana. Perhaps it might be helpful to you. You might also get more information at www.immunesupport.com. I have a friend who also suffers from fibromyalgia and his diet is very limited because of it so, I have some understanding of what you are experiencing. Good luck to you and I hope I have helped in some way.



Many people with fibromyalgia have overlapping conditions that require special diets. If you have been diagnosed with any of the following, take note of the dietary restrictions and suggestions.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

If is estimated that between 50 and 75 percent of people who have fibromyalgia also have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IBS occurs in the large intestine and causes a group of symptoms including cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation. The nerves and muscles in the bowel are extra-sensitive and even eating a large meal can initiate symptoms and cause pain. People suffering with this syndrome may benefit by avoiding the following foods: fats, fructose (the simple sugar found in honey and fruits), milk products, chocolate, alcohol, caffeine, and carbonated soft drinks. A high-fiber diet may improve symptoms of diarrhea and constipation.

Lactose Intolerance

Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest lactose, the principal sugar of milk. This intolerance is caused by a shortage of the enzyme lactase, which is produced by the cells that line the small intestine. When there is not enough lactase to digest the amount of lactose consumed, a person may suffer from nausea, cramps, bloating, gas, and diarrhea. Individuals with lactose intolerance need to limit their intake of milk and dairy products or take lactase enzymes that are available without a prescription.

Celiac Disease

It appears that small populations of people with fibromyalgia also have a digestive disorder called celiac disease (CD). CD is genetically predisposed and causes damage to the mucosal surface of the small intestine. This damage is the result of an immunologically toxic reaction to the ingestion of gluten. Gluten is a protein that is in all forms of wheat and related grains, rye, barley, triticale, and oats. CD can be diagnosed through a blood screening and a follow-up biopsy of the small intestine. People with CD must avoid eating all types of wheat and other noted grains.

Supplements

People with fibromyalgia should pay attention to general nutritional needs, because they often have absorption problems caused by digestive tract illnesses, such as bacterial overgrowth, celiac disease, and irritable bowel syndrome. Certain medications can also interfere with absorption, so adding nutritional supplements to your diet may be helpful. You do need to remember, though, that supplements are not a substitute for a healthy diet, and you must be cautious not to take too much of one nutrient because this can cause serious health problems.

The best way to make these decisions [what supplements to add to your diet] is by talking to your health-care professional, a nutrition specialist, and the manufacturer of the product; by using your own common sense; and by doing some in-depth research.

Some of the more common vitamins and minerals suggested for people with fibromyalgia include the following:

B vitamins – Maintain healthy nerves, liver, help with energy production, and may reduce anxiety. Vitamin B1 may support proper oxygen metabolism. The B-complex vitamins are essential to mental and emotional well being.

Calcium – Protects against bone loss. Low levels of calcium cause nervousness, apprehension, irritability and numbness.

Iron – low iron levels can cause general weakness, exhaustion, and headaches.

Magnesium – Provides for a healthy immune system and healthy nerves and helps with blood sugar regulation. Deficiency can cause confusion, apathy, and insomnia. Magnesium works well in conjunction with B complex vitamins.

Potassium – Depletion is frequently associated with depression, fearfulness, weakness, and fatigue.

Vitamin D – In recent studies, 93 percent of people with musculoskeletal pain were found to be deficient in vitamin D.

Amino acids can also be helpful in promoting the healing process, and include the following: Cystine, Glycine, Leucine, Lysine, Valine, Isoleucine, Tryptophan and 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), which helps to synthesize serotonin and melatonin.

The FDA has posted safety warning about the following:

Dietary supplements that contain the herbal ingredient comfrey, which is a source of pyrrolizidine alkaloids. There is evidence that implicates these substances as carcinogens and that they may cause chronic liver disease.

There have been reports of hepatic (liver) toxicity associated with products containing kava.

Products containing aristolochic acid, including botanical products marketed as traditional Chinese medicines, have been associated with nephropathy – a kidney disorder.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) showed a significant drug interaction between St. John’s Wort (hypericum perforatum) and Indinavir and other antiretroviral agents.

Dietary supplements that contain tiratricol, also known as triiodothyroacetic acid or TRIAC, a potent thyroid hormone, may cause serious health consequences including heart attacks and strokes.

Overall, take the proper precautions and discuss and inform your health-care team about the supplements you are taking to help ensure safety and a positive outcome.

About this book: The preceding is an excerpt from “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Fibromyalgia” by Lynne Matallana with Laurence A. Bradley, Ph.D., Stuart Silverman, M.D., and Muhammad B. Yunus, M.D., published by Alpha Books, and copyright (c) 2005 Lynne Matallana, all rights reserved. To purchase, please go to http://www.fmaware.org/store.htm or http://www.immunesupport.com/shop/Books.cfm.

Answer 10

the highest in protein i would assume.. it helped me when i was sluggish in my pregnancy..but i would ask your doctor due to you prior diagnosis..good luck!