We
have now reached a level of obesity in the
US
,
South America
,
Canada
, and throughout
Europe
which is unprecedented in recorded history.
It is also accepted that the lifestyles we lead are often very high
stress.
It is no coincidence
that these new peaks of obesity and stress correlate directly with an
increase in the occurrence of “modern” or “new” diseases of
Western society, including heart disease, the cancers, and others
including the rheumatic and fatigue spectrum, specifically in our case
Fibromyalgia and CFS.
At least we have
moved past the era when debate was so Neolithic as to suggest that these
conditions don’t really exist or are a subdivision of psychology and
now we can concentrate on the science and biology of these diseases and
the reality of life and recovery for Fibromyalgia and CFS sufferers.
Carrying extra weight
will exacerbate small anomalies in musculoskeletal balance.
These anomalies in
conjunction with a certain genetic predisposition appear to underlie the
onset of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in certain
individuals, while other individuals who suffer the same initial
“trigger” infection, trauma or exposure recover relatively
unscathed.
Post-onset, carrying
extra weight may cause your condition to be maintained longer and
exacerbated more than in cases that are of normal weight.
The Autonomic Nervous
System, damaged by the initial trauma of your condition controls
homeostasis, digestion, and the organs of elimination to name but a few
of its functions.
The ANS will be under
additional stress in individuals who are overweight or clinically obese.
I do appreciate that
the last thing you need to hear when you are struck with the early
stages of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is that you need to
lose weight.
In the early stages
of the illness weight loss is NOT advised. I advise sufferers to eat a
well balanced diet,
At a later stage as
overall toxicity reduces, lymphatic flow improves, immunological
modulation begins and digestive stress is reduced weight loss strategies
can be considered and undertaken.
However due to the
causal factors involved in Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome it
is essential to avoid programs which require strenuous exercise regimes,
due to the onset of post-exertional malaise which is a defining feature
of Fibromyalgia and CFS pathology.
Any program involving
sustained aerobic activity that induces cardiovascular debt or strenuous
muscular exertion such as weightlifting, can seriously damage sufferers
of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
Individuals suffering
"true" CFS should never attempt to waste what little energy
they have on strenuous exercise, whether it be weight bearing, graded,
aerobic or anaerobic.
The only energy you
should be expending is on your essential daily activities, and relaxing
walks or pastimes which will reduce your susceptibility to depression.
What I am about to
say I am sure will open a veritable Pandora’s Box, but about time.
My research has lead
me firmly to the conclusion that the evidence supporting "graded
exercise" as a strategy for CFS and Fibromyalgia treatment is
wholly unfounded.
Clinical trials I
have investigated which were used as supporting evidence for the use of
graded exercise as an establishment response to CFS and Fibromyalgia
were deeply flawed as inadequate distinction was made with regards to
the actual medical cause of fatigue in these sufferers.
The definition of
Chronic Fatigue was basically that a subject should have suffered
pronounced fatigue for 6 months or more.
From our own research
we all know that there are a thousand and one different causes of long
term fatigue. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome being just one of these.
Similarly it is a
recognized fact that cases diagnosed with Mild, Post-natal, or
Clinical depression and/or Seasonal Affective Disorder often respond well to
graded exercise regimes, particularly if undertaken outdoors in
daylight.
Not only does graded
exercise improve stamina via increased RBC production and oxygen uptake,
it provides a lux (unit of light) boost in SAD sufferers, and provides a
new purpose and routine to depressed individuals.
Exercise also
produces endorphins which help to boost and modulate brain chemistry
with respect to serotonin and dopamine balance.
Naturally, it stands
to reason that all these factors will benefit cases with fatigue of
DEPRESSIVE origin.
However, damage to
the Autonomic Nervous System in sufferers with "true"
Fibromyalgia and CFS mean that energy production via the Sympathetic
Nervous System in response to exercise is impaired.
More importantly,
removal of toxins and lactic acid produced by the muscles in response to
exercise via the lymphatic and venous systems is seriously compromised
and as a result causes toxic overload and rapid symptomatic decline
after exercise.
This results in the
"post-exertional malaise" that Fibromyalgia and CFS sufferers
who have attempted an exercise regime WILL have experienced.
A cruel twist in the
tale which has lead the establishment down the psychological path so
many times is that often the most obvious physical sign of illness in
Fibromyalgia and CFS cases is that they are suffering depression.
It is only now being
acknowledged by the establishment that individuals with these syndromes
display depression as an environmental CONSEQUENCE of living with their
illness.
It
is NOT THE CAUSE as is so often dictated by well-meaning healthcare
providers.
I am putting together
a manual of dietary advice which I will be posting soon, but in the
meantime I recommend a diet that is balanced and safe, rich in nutrients
and will produce sustainable results with regards to maintaining or
reducing your weight while you are still in the recuperative phase of a
chronic disease
I do admit
reservations about recommending calorific restrictions but our illness
is not caused by a lack of calories, and excessive consumption due to
depression or comfort eating will only serve to overload organs which
are already disturbed and congested.
From a dietary
perspective, I advise a pretty standard protocol:
