Holistic Approaches to Fibromyalgia: 5 Foods That May Help Fibromyalgia Naturally by Jaya Jaya Myra

With summer rapidly approaching and people itching to get out and do more now that COVID restrictions are lifting, how can people dealing with chronic pain feel better and do more? With May being Fibromyalgia Awareness Month, let's talk about some food-based approaches to deal with chronic pain and make the most of lifted restrictions and better weather.

So what role does food play in overcoming chronic pain? Foods play a major role in how you feel physically, mentally and emotionally. Foods can cause or prevent inflammation, a key factor in chronic pain and fibromyalgia, and they can also help boost mood and mental health naturally through the gut-brain connection and optimized neurotransmitter production.

Here are five food-based tips to help that help to combat fibromyalgia naturally:

1. Cut Out Dairy: Dairy products are inflammatory, and inflammation is a root cause of chronic pain in people with fibro. By replacing dairy products with a non-dairy alternative, you can help get rid of those aches and pains, and also start to eliminate brain fog and headaches naturally. Don’t worry – everything dairy you love can be found in a tasty dairy-free alternative.
2. Ditch Refined Sugars: Refined sugars are also highly inflammatory and can contribute to chronic pain. Try to eliminate white sugar and use alternatives like coconut sugar, honey, stevia and other things that won’t provoke a strong inflammatory response in the body.
3. Eat Anti-Inflammatory Foods Daily: Turmeric and ginger are two of my favorite anti-inflammatory foods. They can help reduce inflammation and pain in the body, helping you feel better naturally. Cilantro is another great anti-inflammatory food you can add to your diet.
4. Consume Adequate Fiber Daily: Fiber is prebiotic, aka, food for your microbiome and is closely connected to better mental and physical health, and reduced chronic pain, because of the gut-brain axis and their ability to reduce inflammation. Probiotics will help boost mood naturally and improve mental health, but fiber, their food source, is a must for a healthy gut microbiome.
5. Diversify Your Microbiome: Now that you’re getting adequate fiber, think about diversifying the food sources you consume that contain probiotics, aka your microbiome. The greater the diversity of the guts microbiome, the healthier your gut and physical health (and mental health) will be in general. Try adding some kimchi, sauerkraut, cultured vegan yogurt or other probiotic-containing foods to your daily routine.

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