Fibromyalgia, a whole body muscular pain condition often accompanied by chronic exhaustion and immune system dysfunction, affects up to 5 percent of the U.S. population. It is a complex condition that doctors often find hard to treat and some patients are let down by the medical profession and left to suffer unacceptable amounts of pain. Around a quarter of fibromyalgia sufferers are so disabled by their condition that they cannot work.
It has been discovered through scientific research that many cases of fibromyalgia may actually be due to additives in food. Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is one such additive. Known as an excitotoxin, it is a deeply addictive substance that is added to many foods such as potato chips, microwave meals and frozen foods. It makes the consumer want to eat more foods containing it, but has no benefit to their health whatsoever and is actually harmful.
In a study in 2001, it was found that when patients with long standing fibromyalgia eliminated MSG from their diet, their illness was cured or greatly improved.
The study authors wrote "Excitotoxins are molecules, such as MSG and aspartate that act as excitatory neurotransmitters, and can lead to neurotoxicity when used in excess. Four patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia syndrome for two to 17 years are described. All had undergone multiple treatment modalities with limited success. All had complete, or nearly complete, resolution of their symptoms within months after eliminating monosodium glutamate (MSG) or MSG plus aspartame from their diet. All patients were women with multiple comorbidities prior to elimination of MSG. All have had recurrence of symptoms whenever MSG is ingested. The elimination of MSG and other excitotoxins from the diets of patients with fibromyalgia offers a benign treatment option that has the potential for dramatic results in a subset of patients."
A 2010 review found that MSG can damage the immune system, which may explain why some fibromyalgia sufferers also have immune system disorders.
"The studies on experimental animals have confirmed toxic effect of monosodium glutamate in different organs, mainly manifested by increased oxidative stress and cytotoxicity, strongly correlated with numerous diseases. Continuous intake of this flavor enhancer in modern nutrition also resulted with toxic effects on human health, known as Chinese restaurant syndrome. The reference data about influence of monosodium glutamate on the cells of the immune system or primary immune organs and possible protective effects of specific antioxidants are still largely unknown. This review summarizes recently known facts about the role of monosodium glutamate in the cells of the immune system, especially in thymocytes."
As mentioned in the first study, aspartame, an artificial sweetener added to fizzy drinks, ‘junk’ foods, and sometimes used as an alternative to sugar, is also implicated in the development of fibromyalgia and other ill health conditions.
When ingested, aspartame actually converts into formaldehyde, a carcinogen that has been causally linked to throat cancer. It has a cellular effect on the brain and can give rise to neurological problems, headaches and even emotional, mental and learning disorders.
This may explain why some fibromyalgia sufferers have cognitive problems, poor memory and recurrent headaches and migraines.
‘The use of the artificial sweetener, aspartame, has long been contemplated and studied by various researchers, and people are concerned about its negative effects. Aspartame is composed of phenylalanine (50%), aspartic acid (40%) and methanol (10%). Phenylalanine plays an important role in neurotransmitter regulation, whereas aspartic acid is also thought to play a role as an excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. Glutamate, asparagines and glutamine are formed from their precursor, aspartic acid. Methanol, which forms 10% of the broken down product, is converted in the body to formate, which can either be excreted or can give rise to formaldehyde, diketopiperazine (a carcinogen) and a number of other highly toxic derivatives. Previously, it has been reported that consumption of aspartame could cause neurological and behavioural disturbances in sensitive individuals. Headaches, insomnia and seizures are also some of the neurological effects that have been encountered, and these may be accredited to changes in regional brain concentrations of catecholamines, which include norepinephrine, epinephrine and dopamine. The aim of this study was to discuss the direct and indirect cellular effects of aspartame on the brain, and we propose that excessive aspartame ingestion might be involved in the pathogenesis of certain mental disorders and also in compromised learning and emotional functioning."
So if you want to combat your fibromyalgia pain, eliminate these harmful and toxic products from your diet!
MSG and aspartame are found in these foods:
• Fizzy drinks
• Diet drinks
• Flavored water
• Some microwave dinners
• Some juice drinks
• Some frozen foods
• Yogurts that say ‘light’ on them, or low fat, often have aspartame in them.
• Potato Chips.
They may be in other foods not included in this list and you should always check the labels of food products before you buy them.
References: Eur J Clin Nutr. 2008 Apr;62(4):451-62. Epub 2007 Aug 8, Dermatitis. 2008 May-Jun;19(3):E10-1, Ann Pharmacother. 2001 Jun;35(6):702-6.
Joanna is a freelance health writer for The Mother magazine and Suite 101 with a column on infertility, http://infertility.suite101.com/. She is author of the book, 'Breast Milk: A Natural Immunisation,' and co-author of an educational resource on disabled parenting, in addition to running a charity for people damaged by vaccines or medical mistakes.