Are you gaining weight without premeditation? Are your A1C test numbers on the rise? Patients with fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome may be at greater risk for metabolic disease.

Barbara Loevinger, M.D., at the University of Wisconsin’s Center for Women’s Health & Research, studied this risk and determined a significant association between the occurrence of fibromyalgia and metabolic syndrome (MBS).  Elizabeth Maloney, Ph.D., of the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, also found an association between chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and MBS.

She hypothesized that increased activation of the sympathetic nervous system and reduced adrenal function, which have both been documented in fibromyalgia patients, may set the stage for metabolic syndrome in women with fibromyalgia. Loevinger says that MBS in women with fibromyalgia was not due to increased weight or inactivity, and concluded, “fibromyalgia per se … may be a risk factor for MBS.”

Metabolic syndrome is the name for a group of risk factors that raises your risk for heart disease and other health problems, such as diabetes and stroke.
Metabolic Risk FactorsThe five conditions described below are metabolic risk factors. You can have any one of these risk factors by itself, but they tend to occur together. You must have at least three metabolic risk factors to be diagnosed with metabolic syndrome.

Insulin resistance factors

• A large waistline. This also is called abdominal obesity or "having an apple shape." 
• A high triglyceride level (or you're on medicine to treat high triglycerides). 
• A low HDL cholesterol level (or you're on medicine to treat low HDL cholesterol). HDL sometimes is called "good" cholesterol. 
• High blood pressure (or you're on medicine to treat high blood pressure). 
• High fasting blood sugar (or you're on medicine to treat high blood sugar). Mildly high blood sugar may be an early sign of diabetes.

Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas. It helps control glucose, or blood sugar. Glucose is our body’s key source of energy, fueling our bodies to function. All of the food we eat is broken down into proteins and nutrients, which are used in metabolism, cell replacement, and immune function. The amount of fuel we need varies all the time, but our blood sugar levels need to remain stabilized. Insulin helps regulate those levels.

Normally glucose is carried by the bloodstream to individual cells, and insulin signals the cells to absorb the glucose that fuels our body. But when there is too much glucose in the body, cells become desensitized and the body continues to release more insulin, allowing blood sugar levels to become high. Prolonged high levels of insulin disrupts cellular metabolism, increases inflammation, and eventually the cells quit responding to the signal from insulin creating insulin resistance.    

How to control insulin resistance

Syndrome X is not a life sentence, and so can easily be dealt with because glucose levels can be influenced by lifestyle, proper nutrition, and exercise. 

• To help balance insulin, consider a diet consisting primarily of lean meats and protein, high-fiber, whole grains, leafy greens, fresh vegetables and legumes, and fresh fruit. 

• Plan daily meals to consist of breakfast, lunch, dinner, and two snacks. Each meal should contain some lean protein, and no more than 15 grams of carbohydrates.
• Be sure to get enough fiber, preferably in the form of vegetables and fruits.

• Essential fatty acids (EFA) or healthy fats, are important to help insulin resistance. These fats include tuna, salmon, and other cold-water fish; fish oil supplements, eggs, avocado, and flaxseed, which can be taken in as a nutritional supplement.

• Taking a pharmaceutical-grade, nutritional supplement can also decrease carbohydrate and sugar cravings.

• Exercise is an important component to help insulin levels stay normal, maintain hormonal balance, and regulate metabolic function. It also helps decrease stress and lessens the strain on often overworked adrenal glands, which contributes to better health overall.

• Drink alcohol in moderation, get plenty of sleep, and stop smoking. 

Women need to be aware that they are at higher risk for periodontal disease and gum disease during puberty, pregnancy, their menstrual cycle each month, and then menopause.  We now also know there is a correlation between high hormone levels in the body and inflammation in the gums surrounding the teeth which is affecting individuals with the disorder of fibromyalgia.

When hormone levels are out of whack, women can be more sensitive to a small amount of plaque or bacteria. For example, if you weren’t pregnant, and you forgot to floss for a couple of days, it probably wouldn’t be an issue. But if you’re pregnant and forget to floss, and plaque collects, you can develop swollen, painful growths in your gums that otherwise probably wouldn’t manifest as quickly. Hence, as with many other chronic conditions there is a strong relationship between fibromyalgia and the health and alignment of the oral cavity—as evidenced by clinical observation and research. There are many dental factors in play in this disorder.  

One well known fact is the health-depleting effects of mercury amalgam fillings (silver fillings), which can be very toxic for the body— releasing mercury in the form of toxic vapors. This vapor release from mercury occurs every time the teeth make contact with one another (occlusion), when the pH of the saliva is altered, when friction is created on the teeth, or when the temperature inside the mouth is raised. This means that every time we are eating, swallowing (saliva or food), chewing, clenching/grinding, brushing our teeth or even smoking, we are potentially exposed to mercury vapors from our amalgam fillings. When the mercury vapors enter our body, they get deposited in various organs. Once they are stored, they begin generating free-radicals—the accumulations of both have been known contributing factors in disorders like fibromyalgia.

But that is just one culprit.  Constant inflammation in the body and pain causes your immune system to be at risk. When your immune system is at risk, periodontal disease exists.  It contributes to increased inflammation in the body. Individuals with any form of arthritis, arthritis-related inflammatory disorders, (Fibromyalgia), or autoimmune disorders are at HIGH risk of developing many diseases of the oral cavity including, but not limited to: 

· Developing periodontal disease- – more than twice as likely as others
· Developing severe jawbone loss- – moderate to severe
· Extractions-  averaged 12 missing teeth in studies

It’s important to keep in mind that many symptoms and markers of disease present in the teeth and mouth. The mouth is often used to diagnose, make a prognosis, treat or intervene on a number of diseases. Healthy gums should look pink and firm, not red and swollen–and your teeth should feel solid. If you have problems with your teeth and gums, it’s important to see a dentist, and possibly your health professional.  Even if your finances are limited there are reasonable dentist plans.  I am not paid by this company, but Argus Dental plan has a Master Plan that is worth looking into.  For as little as $9.98 a month you can receive one free office visit a year including x-rays, and two free cleanings.  For extra dental work beyond that, there is a discount. There is also the Care Credit card you can apply for to make payments on services when you may not have the funds. Great credit scores are not needed for this card, and they always offer promotional rates so that you can pay off the balance before finance charges kick in.

Good oral hygiene and regular dental visits can save more than just your smile.

Has your doctor ordered tests to check hormonal imbalances?  With the multitude of tests usually ordered as prerequisites before a formal diagnoses of fibromyalgia is made, hormonal levels should be right up there in the foreground.  

Certain tissues in our bodies are designed to interact with hormones.  Without it, the brain simply doesn't work as it should, and when estrogen levels are low, we see the symptoms of estrogen deficiency.  Could some of these symptoms be adding to your fibromyalgia syndrome?

Symptoms of Estrogen Deficiency

• hot flashes
• night sweats
• mood swings
• depression
• insomnia
• fibro fog
• vaginal dryness
• urinary frequency and urgency
• decreased libido
• heart palpitations
• fatigue

With all the hype centered on unnatural hormones and cancer, it is comforting to know there are natural hormones available.  Hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone are now concocted and referred to as bio-identical hormones meaning they are biochemically identical to the hormones our bodies make for us.  Bio-identical hormones are generally extracted from plants which actually produce the same hormones we do.  For some patients with low levels, this is a need that must be met.  Tests from your physician are the only guarantee you'll be able to identify which area you are deficient in.  From there your doctor can establish a protocol that is right for your body.  

Here's a wonderful treat.  The Chunky Monkey is a pretty popular smoothie with many different recipe variations. Below you’ll find my preferred (healthy) version. As is the case with any smoothie recipe, feel free to play with the ingredients and proportions.

A quick tip on using frozen bananas in your smoothie. Peel and break your bananas into smaller chunks, and then place those chunks into a big zip lock baggie before tossing into the freezer. I usually do this for 4 to 5 bananas at a time.

Try doubling this for a quick and nourishing breakfast when you are on the go in the morning.  You'll be scraping the bottom getting out every last morsel.  

1/2 cup plant milk (I use almond)
1 medium banana
2 teaspoons peanut butter
1/4 cup Medjool dates, chopped
1 -2 tsp. or cocoa or carob powder

Combine all ingredients in a blender and process until smooth and creamy.  Add more milk until you achieve the desired consistency.  

One of the main roles for the mineral iodine is to help manufacture thyroid hormones. And once upon a time in America - especially in the Great Lakes region - there were many cases of goiter, an enlarged thyroid gland caused by iodine deficiency. The iodine/goiter story had a happy ending, however, when manufacturers began adding iodine to salt ("iodized salt"). After that, goiters in the U.S. mostly disappeared.

Until recently, about 25% of the iodine in the diet was from wheat, because iodine was used in the processing of flour. Now, however, a lot of flour in the U.S. is processed with a chemical cousin of iodine, bromide (potassium bromate), which helps makes flour doughier, rise higher, and gives the loaf a better appearance. But bromide is a double-edged sword: not only has it replaced iodine, it may block the activity of iodine. That's also true for two more of iodine's chemical cousins - chlorine and fluoride, both of which are common in drinking water.

Iodine is one of the most important minerals - your body requires it for healthy cellular and metabolic functioning. Low iodine can contribute to an increased risk of both under-active and overactive thyroid. Furthermore, low iodine might also contribute to fibromyalgia and CFS. 
How Do You Know Your Iodine Levels Are Low?The accuracy of iodine testing hasn't always marked the best way. Much as we like to have a piece of paper that gives definitive test results, sadly these results are often not reliable. The following symptoms may shed light:

1. Breast cysts or tenderness, or breast cancer. I consider these markers for iodine deficiency.
2. CFS, fibromyalgia or unexplained fatigue.
3. Thyroid disease or thyroid cancer.
4. Low body temperature of under 98 degrees Fahrenheit.
5. Try the latest Iodine Load Test

It's a good idea for everyone to get at least 150-200 mcg. daily. There are several ways to make sure you do just that:

1. Seafood tends to be high in iodine. An especially rich source is seaweed, such as kelp. This is why the average Japanese women who eats a lot of seaweed gets 12,500 mcg of iodine in her daily diet - and maybe why she's a lot healthier than the average American woman, who is lucky if she gets 150 mcg daily. It also may be why breast cancer is much less common in Japan than in the U.S., where the breast cancer rate is three times higher than Japan's!
2. If you eat a lot of soy products, cut back - especially unfermented soy (e.g., soy milk, soy cheese, and soy protein added to food). Large amounts of soy can block thyroid function, though this is less of a problem with fermented soy products, like tempeh and tofu.
3. If your local water contains fluoride, consider a filter that eliminates it. Avoid bromide, too, when you can.

Got some fresh pumpkin seeds calling your name in the refrigerator after cooking a pumpkin?  Are you one of those who just hates to waste anything especially if its nutritious? Then get ready to place this one in your recipe archives. 

This recipe is fantastic!  Who would have known that soaking pumpkin seeds overnight would develop into a snack that is deliciously crisp and full-flavored? Usually roasted pumpkin seeds yield a seed that is either too gummy or overly crisp. This will do neither.  In fact, you'll have some seeds that won't last long on your kitchen counter.

Give this one a try.  You'll be making them every year!


1 1/2 - 2 cups fresh pumpkin seeds
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
3/4 teaspoon sea salt

Place seeds in a 1-qt. bowl; cover with water. Stir in salt; let stand, covered, overnight.

Preheat oven to 200°. Drain and rinse seeds; drain again and pat dry. Transfer to a 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Toss with oil and salt; spread in a single layer.
​
Roast 1-1/2 to 1-3/4 hours or until crisp and lightly browned, stirring occasionally. Cool completely. Store in an airtight ​

 Another common imbalance that is often overlooked for individuals who are chronically ill is thyroid deficiency.  Conventional medicine has traditionally acknowledged only one form of thyroid deficiency referred to hypothyroidism.  However, there is a growing awareness among some physicians that the usual rigid definition of thyroid deficiency does not take into account another form of hypothyroidism which is not uncommon.

Hypothyroidism occurs when you  produce insufficient amounts of thyroid hormone or when you have thyroid hormone resistance. As a result, your body cannot maintain normal metabolism, and your ability to convert tyrosine to dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine is impaired. This can cause a ripple effect of symptoms, including cognitive dysfunction. 

Symptoms of Low Thyroid Hormone Levels

• fatigue, exhaustion
• constipation
• always cold
• hair loss, specially in the lateral third eyebrow
• dry skin
• menstrual abnormalities
• fibro fog
• excess muscle tension and trigger points

A common give-away that you may be hypothyroid is feeling cold most of the time. This is because your body cannot generate enough ATP molecules to keep the core temperature of your body high enough.

Unfortunately, many if not most conventional doctors do nothing but look at lab test data when diagnosing thyroid disease, and typically ignore signs and symptoms revealed by the patient, such as dry skin or hair loss.

The standard tests used today to diagnose inadequate thyroid hormone regulation due to hypothyroidism are the free T3, free T4 and TSH. There’s also a test called TRH (thyroid releasing hormone) stimulation test. Many patients are coming back with normal results. Yet, some practitioners are supplementing with thyroid medication when addressed with the above symptoms to see if there is improvement. Many are finding patients expressing relief. Another good strategy may be to observe your own symptoms if your results are negative and try these natural alternatives below for support. 

Help Your Thyroid Naturally

• Add coconut oil to our diet.  Drink a Fibromyalgia Smoothie in the morning.
• Up your protein level.
• Eat more pears and apples. The ancient Chinese discovered that pears have a powerful tendency to balance hormones; especially in women.
• Eat a natural diet
• Adhere to an Alkaline Diet - This is extremely helpful when curing any chronic disease.
• Iodine - The thyroid needs iodine to function properly, and lots of people now suffer from iodine deficiencies. To test yourself, place some iodine (we use 2%) on your stomach. Make a dot the size of a silver dollar. If it disappears within 12 hours, then you are iodine deficient. Keep adding iodine in increasing amounts, until it no longer disappears in a 12-hour period. This works due to the fact that the body transdermally absorbs iodine at the rate at which it is needed. Do not use povidone iodine and do not orally consume iodine. This is especially an important precaution for those with Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
• Exercise
• Eliminate Soy - Soy suppresses thyroid functions, imbalances hormones, and it has been shown to cause goiters (an enlargement of the thyroid gland) in previously healthy individuals, which shows that it disrupts iodine usage.