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There’s a lot of evidence that there is a link between food allergies and fibromyalgia. Food allergens can produce symptoms in fibromyalgia sufferers. And some people think that fibromyalgia itself might be a persistent food allergy. So what is the link between food allergies and fibromyalgia? And how can you use that knowledge to manage your symptoms?
What are food allergies?
Food allergies are the result of your body’s immune system reacting to the food you eat. Eating foods that your body is allergic to causes it to release histamines that produce swelling, a runny nose, and runny eyes. And those are all symptoms that allergy sufferers know well.
Doctors don’t totally understand what makes your body become sensitized to certain foods but believe there may be a genetic reason since many people who have allergies have family members with allergies as well.
The difference between food allergies and sensitivities
An important thing to remember when it comes to food and fibromyalgia is that there is a difference between food allergies and food sensitivities.
A food allergy is the result of your body’s immune system triggering because of the food you eat. It is a physical reaction to an external source that your body mistakes for an allergen.
On the other hand, a food sensitivity is when your body lacks the ability to process certain foods. This is because your body doesn’t produce the enzymes you need to break down those foods. Conditions like lactose intolerance, which is where your body doesn’t produce the enzyme that breaks down lactose found in dairy products, are examples of food sensitivity.
What’s the link between food allergies and fibromyalgia?
As with many things about fibromyalgia, doctors aren’t sure that there is a link between food allergies and fibromyalgia. But anecdotally, many people with fibromyalgia believe that there is a definite link between what they eat and how their fibromyalgia symptoms respond.
When it comes to fibromyalgia, many sufferers have sensitivities to certain foods and find that their symptoms get worse when they eat these foods. Pay attention to how the food you eat makes you feel. And avoid foods that make your fibromyalgia symptoms more severe.
There are certain foods that are believed to make fibromyalgia symptoms worse in many sufferers. These include artificial sweeteners, msg, and yeast. By avoiding these foods, you may find that your fibromyalgia symptoms improve.
The biggest thing to remember when it comes to food allergies and fibromyalgia is that everyone is different. You may have foods that you in particular are sensitive to that affect your fibromyalgia symptoms. Fibromyalgia is different for everyone, and you have to do whatever makes your symptoms easier to manage.
Be careful about your diet and focus on avoiding foods that seem to make your condition worse. And if you can do that, you might find that your fibromyalgia symptoms improve dramatically.
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