People with fibromyalgia often experience weight gain due to a number of factors directly and indirectly related to the disease.
Fibromyalgia causes hormonal imbalances that affect cortisol, thyroid, serotonin, and insulin levels, as well as growth hormone production. This hormonal imbalance slows metabolism, often leading to weight gain.
Fatigue associated with fibromyalgia is another factor that also leads to weight gain due to a sedentary lifestyle.
Because fibromyalgia causes a disorder of arousal in brain waves during sleep, the individual cannot get enough sleep, except that the person may be related to sleep apnea (pauses in breathing and snoring at night) or restless legs syndrome does not increase, fatigue.
A new study has found that sleep deprivation leads to increased production of hypocretin, which is important for sleep and appetite regulation. When hypocretin neuron levels are elevated, this leads to a heightened state of arousal, leading not only to fatigue but also to overeating.
In addition to fatigue, the experience of many patients with chronic pain and fibromyalgia is that physical performance is often inhibited.
Medications for treating depression associated with fibromyalgia can also cause weight gain. Antacids such as Prozac and Zoloft increase appetite and water retention, and can affect hormone levels and therefore your metabolism.
Diet for fibromyalgia.
It is important to maintain a balanced diet and minimize weight gain due to fibromyalgia.
Here are some helpful diet tips:
■ Avoid the consumption of animal fats such as red meat. Instead, eat lean meats, such as skinless chicken, turkey, and fish, which are also excellent sources of protein.
■ Increase your intake of foods high in fiber and low in sugar, such as vegetables.
■ Drinking fresh fruits like raspberries and strawberries is also helpful. Avoid dried fruits as they contain preservatives.
■ Omega-3 fatty acids are also important for maintaining a healthy diet and can be found in cold-water fish. Almonds, avocados, fish oil, olive oil, and corn are other good sources of fat.
■ Eat three meals a day and try one or two nutritious snacks a day.
Avoid fried foods, junk food, white flour, sugar, alcohol, and soda.
Fibromyalgia and exercise.
Although fibromyalgia causes pain and fatigue, it is important to stay as fit as possible to avoid weight gain and maintain good health.
Start your own personalized training program to achieve this goal.
Start with simple exercises like stretching, walking, or cycling.
Start with a one- to five-minute walk on day one, then add 1 to 2 minutes per day, slowly working your way up to a goal of 60 minutes (or as far as you are comfortable and able without pain).
Cycling is a great training opportunity. With a stationary bike, you can work out year-round, regardless of how long you’re on it, and easily track your mileage. This can help you achieve your training goals more efficiently.
Remember that muscle soreness occurs when you first start exercising, but acute pain can indicate that you have overworked muscles.
