Raw Diet Study

Study of Fibromyalgia and Diet

In 2001 an observational study was conducted to determine whether the effects of fibromyalgia syndrome may be improved with the use of a mostly raw vegetarian diet. The results were very encouraging and seem to indicate that such a diet can produce favorable results in relieving the symptoms in sufferers of fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia has been determined to be a musculoskeletal disorder which leads to widespread muscle pain, sleep disorders, fatigue, lethargy and depression, among other things. Fibromyalgia is considered to be a syndrome as opposed to being a disease since it is identified by a cluster of symptoms rather than having a specific and identifiable cause.

Real People with Real Symptoms

This particular study involved 30 people who were recruited from fibromyalgia support groups, notices, and word of mouth and they were required to have a diagnosis of FMS (fibromyalgia syndrome) by a rheumatologist using the standard criteria of judgment issued by the American College of Rheumatology. All people who were using medications for sleep or pain were encouraged to continue with the medications and all decisions regarding the use of medications were made by the individuals' doctors.

What They Ate - And What They Didn't Eat

The participants of the study were given books and information published by Hallelujah Acres, Inc. They were given instructions on what foods to eat, what to avoid and how to prepare freshly extracted juices from vegetables. They were also given dehydrated barley grass juice powder and a laxative blend to use regularly. A motivational presentation was given in order to help the participants reorient their thinking about food and health. The foods which were encouraged were fresh fruits, salads, raw vegetables, carrot juice, nuts, seeds, whole grain products, tubers, flax seed oil, and extra virgin olive oil. Foods to avoid included alcohol, caffeine, foods containing refined sugar, corn syrup, refined and/or hydrogenated oil, refined flour, dairy, eggs, and all meat.

The Results Are In

As with any scientific study, all intake and information was monitored and recorded, assessed and deliberated. These days it is commonly understood that diet and lifestyle habits have a very definite connection with chronic diseases and this understanding has helped to gear research toward prevention rather than treatment of chronic diseases. This study is no different in that regard. What this study did was show a drastic reduction in symptoms over a seven month period which is a clear alteration of the natural course of fibromyalgia which indicates symptoms remaining constant over a seven month period.

There have been other studies using a vegetarian dietary intervention of fibromyalgia which have also indicated the same general outcome as this particular study. There was an increase in well-being and improved quality of life with significant improvements in pain scores, less stiffness and an ability to go through the day feeling better. Because a raw diet is different and can be a bit more difficult to implement, the participants did not remain on the special diet after the study and reverted back to their former methods of lifestyle. Symptoms returned upon the resumption of their former diet.

It's Still Your Choice