Fibro Files: food

Showing posts with label food. Show all posts

Thursday

Fibromyalgia and GERD and one proven home treatment

I am a great believer in doing everything I can to support myself in reducing symptoms. Sometimes there are easy things we can do instead of taking medications or as well as taking medications. Things that are actually evidence-based and therefore proven to work. This post discusses GERD and one such important and studied simple approach to reducing GER and GERD symptoms.

Fibromyalgia often coexists with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). A connection has been made through research into 35,000 patients discovering that people with fibromyalgia have a high incidence of GERD and also that there is a high percentage of people who have GERD that go on to later develop fibromyalgia.

WHAT IS GERD?

Did you know there is GER and GERD? According to NIDDK Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) happens when your stomach contents come back up into your esophagus. Doctors also call GER acid indigestion, acid reflux, heartburn, or reflux.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a more severe and long-lasting condition in which GER causes repeated symptoms or leads to complications over time.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF GERD?

acid reflux
heartburn
some people have GERD without heartburn
chest pain
pain when swallowing
difficulty swallowing
nausea
chronic cough
a hoarse voice
bad breath

Heartburn is that uncomfortable burning feeling or pain in your chest that can move up to your neck and throat.

LONG TERM GERD SYMPTOMS

On-going GERD can lead to more serious problems such as Esophagitis, an inflammation in the lining of the esophagus; Barrett's esophagus which changes the cells in the lining of the esophagus and can lead to cancer of the esophagus; and strictures that can interfere with eating and drinking due to scarring and narrowing of the esophagus. These are all the reasons why you must have the help of a medical professional if you have GERD.

ONE PROVEN HOME TREATMENT FOR GERD

It has been proven that eating 3 hours before lying down reduces the symptoms of GERD in the following study aptly named Association between dinner-to-bed time and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Objective: It is generally recommended that patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) refrain from eating within 3 hours of going to sleep. In addition to a remarkable lack of supporting clinical evidence, whether GERD patients have shorter dinner-to-bed time is unknown. This study was designed to determine a possible association between dinner-to-bed time and GERD, compared with healthy adults.

Conclusion: In this matched case-control study, shorter dinner-to-bed time was significantly associated with an increased odds ratio (OR) for GERD.

This is why when our doctor tells us to refrain from eating 3 hours before bedtime we should actually do it as it can reduce GERD. You would have to agree that it is a strategy that we can do at no extra cost to us and probably has other health benefits.

I'm sure there are many other proven strategies for GERD and I will investigate them and report back here.

Are you following your doctors' instructions for GERD and have they helped? Let's chat in the comments.
RESOURCES
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Cleveland Clinic
The study: Association between dinner-to-bed time and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Tuesday

My experience with Dandelion Coffee to help digestive issues

In this series I am investigating what foods can help heal our body or even just help reduce some of the challenges of chronic illness. As well as fibromyalgia I am diagnosed with autoimmune diseases, including Sjogren's syndrome.

Since my early 20's I have been interested in the healing power of what we eat. I studied, and have a diploma in, herbal medicine.

Today I am writing about Dandelion Coffee and it's healing powers as it was brought to my attention in my facebook group that it is not well known. Considering it's amazing benefits and how it has helped me I thought I should highlight it here.

DANDELION THE HERB
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinalis) is a Digestive Bitter Herb.

In traditional herbal medicine, dandelion root has long been used to treat stomach and liver conditions due to its purported ability to “detoxify” the blood and be a general tonic.

Element profile of Dandelion:

Na 740 K 180 Li 78 Fe 19.5 Ca 106 Mg 6.4 Zn 2.32

It is rich in vitamins A, C, D, E, and B, inositol, lecithin, and minerals such as iron, magnesium, sodium, calcium, silicon, copper, phosphorus, zinc, and manganese.

Among vegetables, dandelion is one of the richest source of beta-carotene (11,000 µg/100 g leaves, same as in carrots), from which vitamin A originates.

In the past few years, dandelion has demonstrated health benefits including anti-rheumatic, anti-carcinogenic, diuretic, laxative, hypoglycemic, and chloretic effects.

Besides its use as a coffee substitute, the leaf extracts are known to have diuretic properties, which have now been confirmed scientifically, and be effective against obesity and cardiovascular disease.

Dandelion is on the FDA's list of safe foods.

Dandelion restores potassium rather than depleting it like conventional diuretics.

It promotes healthy digestive functioning.

It reduces pre-menstrual bloating caused by an excess of fluid build-up.

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinalis) is a Digestive Bitter Herb.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF DANDELION

Dandelion is available in the of coffee, tea, capsules, and tablets. In Australia, where I live, it is available from health stores and larger supermarkets.

Dandelion coffee is made from the roasted roots and is known as a liver tonic and detoxifier.

Dandelion tea is made from dried leaves and is known as a diuretic that helps the body excrete excess fluid through urination.

MY EXPERIENCE WITH DANDELION
I use to drink Dandelion root coffee many years ago as a university student. I enjoyed it and understood the many benefits due to having studied herbalism.

I don't know why I stopped drinking it... probably due to the cost as I was not working and also I did not have any illnesses.

I have remembered it recently when, added to my autoimmune conditions and fibromyalgia, I started having new digestive symptoms. I was rushing to the ER around every 3 months with severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting and swollen belly.

I underwent many tests including a colonoscopy and endoscopy and ultrasound of the stomach. It was discovered that I had gallstones and an enlarged liver. This was a shock to me as I have a fairly healthy diet with lots of vegetables, wholegrains and fruit. My big 'treat' was my daily coffee.

I drink my dandelion coffee with soy milk or skim milk

I remembered dandelion coffee and so I replaced my coffee intake over 3 days with dandelion coffee. At first replacing one of my 2 daily coffees with dandelion coffee and them both. I was amazed that it was a fairly easy transition.

I love the taste of dandelion coffee and I am reaping the benefits:

my daily morning nausea has disappeared completely.
no visits to the ER since October with excruciating stomach pain.
less daily bloating in my fingers and toes that use to prevent me from making a fist every night.

MY RECOMMENDED DANDELION COFFEE

Symingtons Instant Dandelion Coffee

Are you thinking of trying dandelion coffee after reading this article? Are you already drinking it and appreciate it's wonderful benefit? I would love to hear from you in the comments below.

SUMMARY OF THE BENEFITS OF DANDELION COFFEE

Dandelion coffee, made from roasted dandelion roots, is a caffeine-free herbal drink often used as a coffee substitute. It offers several potential health benefits:

1. Liver Support

Dandelion root is known for its liver-detoxifying properties. It may help stimulate bile production, which supports digestion and liver function.

2. Digestive Aid

Acts as a mild diuretic and laxative, promoting healthy digestion and regular bowel movements.
Helps relieve bloating and indigestion.

3. Antioxidant Properties

Contains antioxidants like beta-carotene and polyphenols, which help combat oxidative stress and may reduce inflammation.

4. Caffeine-Free Energy Boost

Offers a similar taste and experience to coffee without the caffeine, which can be beneficial for people who are sensitive to stimulants or want to reduce their intake.

5. May Support Blood Sugar Control

Some studies suggest dandelion root may help regulate blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity, though more research is needed.

6. Rich in Nutrients

Contains vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, C, K, calcium, and iron, contributing to overall health.

7. Supports Kidney Function

As a natural diuretic, it can help the body eliminate excess fluid, potentially benefiting kidney health and reducing water retention.

8. Anti-Inflammatory Effects

May help reduce systemic inflammation, which is linked to many chronic conditions.

SOURCES FOR THIS ARTICLE

The Physiological Effects of Dandelion (Taraxacum Officinale) in Type 2 Diabetes. Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Tage-Hansens Gade 2, DK-8000 C, Denmark, 2016.

Elemental profile of 24 common medicinal plants of Pakistan and its direct link with traditional uses. Institute of Chemistry, University of the Punjab, Pakistan. Institute of Agricultural Sciences, University of the Punjab, Pakistan, 2011.

The Diuretic Effect in Human Subjects of an Extract of Taraxacum officinale Folium over a Single Day

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