ABSTRACT
It is estimated that bromyalgia syndrome (FMS) affects 6 to 12 million Americans, causing more disability than rheumatoid arthritis [1]. The prevalence is increasing, having risen by 200-400% in the last 10 years [2-5]. Fibromyalgia syndrome remains a condition without a fully understood etiology, in which patients report chronic widespread pain (allodynia or hyperalgesia) often accompanied by fatigue, sleep disorders, cognitive decits, irritable bowel syndrome, headaches, and Raynaud’s syndrome. This chapter presents a comprehensive approach to the care of patients with bromyalgia. Food and nutrients are important in the care of patients with bromyalgia in several ways. Nutrient strategies are demonstrated to improve overall well-being and reduce symptoms in patients with bromyalgia. Many patients with chronic widespread pain have undiagnosed causes that may be directly responsive to nutrient strategies. In an effort to meet activities of daily living, people with bromyalgia may have increased their intake of rened carbohydrates, caffeine, salt, and highly processed foods, forming unhealthful habits beneting from lifestyle medicine. The comorbid and concurrent conditions experienced by many patients with bromyalgia in our clinical practices improve with nutrient interventions resulting in overall improved well-being.
