Everyone knows that old saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away,” but is it true? Well, we know that apples are packed full of good stuff, all kinds of nutrients and fiber, and we know they’re good for the teeth. So, yes—they’re good for you and it’s probable that to some extent, they keep you healthy so that you don’t need to make an appointment with your doctor (you didn’t think he still made house calls did you?). But can eating apples make a difference for people who suffer from fibromyalgia?
Tailor Made
Let’s take a look at the apple. It contains a number of good things that can help maintain or improve overall health, but it also seems, in some ways, tailor-made to manage the symptoms of fibromyalgia syndrome:
*Malic Acid—this substance can give the cells a burst of energy while reducing tenderness and muscle pain. Apples happen to be one of the best stores of malic acid around.
*Fiber—fibromyalgia patients need this to help combat gastrointestinal symptoms and to regulate glucose levels.
*Vitamin C—this vitamin is crucial for the health of your tissues and bones and can also serve as a barrier to toxins.
*Quercetin—the newest research suggests that quercetin can do a whole bunch of good things. It can improve your mitochondrial health, boost your energy, act as an antioxidant and serve as an anti-inflammatory agent.
Eat Unpeeled
If you want to derive the full benefit of all the apple has on offer though, you’ll need to eat the peel. Of course, you should wash the apple with thoroughness to make sure you’ve removed all the supermarket-pretty wax coating as well as the pesticide residues. Or better yet, spring for organic apples, even if they cost a bit more.
Apples are filling, so you can just about make a meal out of them if you like. If you add a slice of cheese or a handful of nuts, you’ve just added protein to the mix. They give you the right kind of energy and won’t let you down the way caffeine does after an hour or so. Apples do seem to alleviate the achiness of the muscle pain that accompanies fibromyalgia for many sufferers and are a good choice if you have a low-tolerance for malic acid supplements.
Like anything else, what works for one fibro sufferer may not work for another. Some sufferers will swear by apples as a source for energy and relief from muscle aches while another will say they simply can’t eat apples without feeling ill. Experts suggest you give apples a try and if they make you feel ill, just stop eating them. The ill-effects will be temporary and you will at least have tried this easy palliative and energy-boosting measure.