Product Description
In this second, expanded edition of the best-selling The Brain Diet, Dr. Alan C. Logan incorporates the latest research on the connection between nutrition, mental health, and intelligence.

Most people today know that good nutrition and good health are related and that poor nutrition frequently leads to cardiovascular disease and cancer. Unfortunately, few people realize that it also is an underlying factor in other medical conditions, such as depression, anxiety, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, migraine headaches, ADHD, and much more. This is startling when one realizes that researchers have found that today more than 50 percent of the vegetables in most people’s diets consists of the trimmings on a hamburger and a side of fries.

The Brain Diet explains the connection between diet and mental health, as well as its importance for realizing the full potential of our intelligence. It shows how poor nutrition hinders the development of our children’s intelligence and how it adversely affects mental health and success.

Despite being just 2 percent of total adult weight, the human brain demands an enormous amount of energy. An ample flow of blood is required for us to think, to reason, to create art and music, to develop technology, and to perform complex work. As The Brain Diet explains the science behind how our brains function, it also provides suggestions for a healthy diet.

Included are the basics of a brain-healthy diet, brain-healthy recipes, helpful charts, and food supplements that enhance our mental function (and how those supplements work). This revolutionary new way of looking at mental health and intelligence gives new meaning to the adage “You are what you eat.”

The Brain Diet: The Connection Between Nutrition, Mental Health, and Intelligence

Product Description
8 1/2″ X 11″, Full Color,glossy paper, 120 pages w/2 recipes/page. This diet is an “open secret” in the Vickery Fibromyagia Protocol success. It is divided into RED Zone with no carbs, GREEN zone with some complex carbs introduced, and the Yellow zone where the diet approaches a variable normal diet – and the gluten foods are re-introduced for personal testing.This process is absolutely necessary for victory over Fibromyalgia,and is one of the essentials for the Vickery Fibromyalgia Protocol.

The Two-Edged Sword Diet

Product Description
This digital document is an article from Environmental Nutrition, published by Belvoir Media Group, LLC on February 1, 2009. The length of the article is 403 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Little evidence of a diet unk to fibromyalgia.(Ask EN)
Author: Unavailable
Publication: Environmental Nutrition (Magazine/Journal)
Date: February 1, 2009
Publisher: Belvoir Media Group, LLC
Volume: 32 Issue: 2 Page: 7(1)

Distributed by Gale, a part of Cengage Learning

Little evidence of a diet unk to fibromyalgia.: An article from: Environmental Nutrition

While a heightened sensitivity to pain and extreme fatigue are the two most reported symptoms, the following symptoms have also been reported by many fibromyalgia sufferers: nausea, dizziness, insomnia, chronic headaches, anxiety, memory loss, weight gain, weight loss, changes in menstrual cycles, dysmenorrhea (painful periods) vision problems, chest pain, depression, joint pain, muscle twitches, muscle weakness and symptoms of the common cold.

Taking in the above list of symptoms, it’s easy to see why there can be so many diagnoses surrounding fibromyalgia. I don’t, however, feel that this is the only reason. Over 4 percent of the population suffers from fibromyalgia and most of those sufferers are women.

Most of the doctors do not consider fibromyalgia as a disease as there are not much men sufferers. Female sufferers of heart attacks do not have chest pain they suffer from symptoms of common cold.

There is a famous quote that says If men give birth to children the world would have been invented a 100 years prior to its actual invention. As it says things are real.

If there is a right and exact treatment for this illness it might not be crisp and to the point. It will have so many vague ones. Altering the dietary habits is the only best way that worked out as it says what you eat is how you are.

searching the web might give solutions and for instance there might be a result saying Dont eat whole grains and do eat whole grains. The way to understand it is that the form should be changed while eaten.

This is because like fibromyalgia’s symptoms, a change in diet to treat fibromyalgia is extremely varied as well. What works for one person may not necessarily work for the other. A lot of it is simply trial and error.

As a result of a research done the foods that must not be taken are: alcohol, aspartame (found in many diet drinks),sugar and related products, simple carbohydrates, gluten, yeast, mushrooms, dairy and MSG.

While these foods and additives aren’t thought to cause fibromyalgia, they can cause other problems such as a yeast infection, swelling of joints and muscles, etc., which can exacerbate one’s sensitivity to pain.

Foods that are low in fat like fruits and vegetables, fat less meat products should be eaten and these will not heal the illness but this can be a solution to the symptoms caused by the intake of poor nutrition food.

The fresh vegetarian foods play a major role in eliminating and washing away the symptoms of the disease.

I suggest the sufferers to check out my all natural Fibromyalgia program which has brought a sign of relief from the pain and disease.

Fibromyalgia is a complex condition that includes widespread symptoms of muscle and joint pain, where everything seems to ache and is associated with severe exhaustion and fatigue.  It affects up to 4% of the population (woman > men), with no known cause or known cure.  With these facts, it’s not surprising that many have turned to diet as a means of trying to improve their quality of life.  Unfortunately, there are many conflicting dietary recommendations for fibromyalgia, some completely contradicting the other, leaving the patient and doctor confused as to who or what to believe.

Fibromyalgia can be primary (of unknown cause) or secondary (caused by a different specific condition). Because many conditions can give rise to fibromyalgia, it’s not surprising that there is no one diet that works universally for all fibromyalgia patients. However, many fibromyalgia sufferers respond from eliminating one or more of several types of foods according to experts interviewed by WebMD, and utilizing these recommendations can prove highly effective.  They specifically identified 7 foods to avoid in the management of fibromyalgia, which include the following:

1. Aspartame (NutraSweet): All of the experts interviewed by WebMD agreed that a large majority of fibromyalgia patients could worsen by eating or drinking foods sweetened by aspartame.

2.  MSG  (monosodium glutamine) and nitrates: MSG is a common additive to enhance flavor in many processed and frozen foods as well as in some Asian (eg., Chinese) foods.  Hence, lunchmeats like ham, bologna and bacon should be avoided.

3.  Sugar, fructose, and simple carbohydrates:  Though no study has clearly identified that these foods directly worsen the symptoms in fibromyalgia patients, eliminating foods like cake, white bread and sugar in general, will decrease the risk of developing secondary conditions such as yeast infections that can give rise to fibromyalgia.  Eliminating foods with high levels of fructose corn syrup has been reported to help some fibromyalgia patients.

4.  Caffeine  (coffee, tea, colas/soda, & chocolate):  After a brief stimulating effect (energy boost), there is a longer lasting sedative affect, which is amplified in fibromyalgia patients.  The good news is that most of the caffeine is out of the body within a week of discontinuing caffeine.

5.  Yeast and glutens:  These two are not related but are frequently used together in foods like cake, donuts and bread and both contribute to fibromyalgia symptoms.  Yeast gives rise to yeast fungus where an overgrowth may cause or exacerbate fibromyalgia symptoms resulting in joint and muscle pain.  Glutens can cause stomach and other GI problems, which in turn can give rise to fatigue.

6:  Dairy: Regardless if its low or high fat, some reports indicate that dairy products, particularly milk can increase the symptoms of fibromyalgia and avoiding these can help.

7. Nightshade plants: Tomatoes, chili and bell peppers, potatoes and eggplant can trigger flare-ups of fibromyalgia and various forms of arthritis.

Some GOOD diet approaches include a heart-healthy diet – that is, one that is low in saturated fat, lean meats & poultry, and fresh fruits and vegetables improves one’s overall health, thus reducing the risk of secondary fibromyalgia and allowing the body to better fight off other disease processes.  This diet is also anti-inflammatory, the common link found in many health conditions.  A vegetarian diet comprised of mostly whole foods was also reported as helpful.  High potency vitamin supplement and specifically Omega 3 fatty acids (main ingredients – EPA & DHA) included in fish oil, flax seed, walnuts, some fortified cereals, and eggs also help reduce inflammation. These recommendations are research supported and we can further discuss the nutritional approaches that benefit patients suffering with fibromyalgia. 

• Try to balance your diet. While there is no consensus as to the best diet for treating Fibromyalgia, the first goal of any sufferer is to get the body in as optimum condition as possible. Cut down on fatty foods and try to eat more veggies and fruit. Drink more water to help flush everything through your system. Cut down drastically on junk food. It will be much easier to make any further changes in your eating habits once you’ve started eating right to begin with.

• Take in more protein and less carbs. Even if you don’t suffer from Fibromyalgia, this is sound advice. Lean proteins, like skinless chicken, lean beef and fish, are an excellent and healthy way to fuel your body. They help keep energy levels high and can even help with hypoglycemia. The carbs, on the other hand, help the body to make insulin, which in small doses is good, but if your body makes too much, it can lead to your system storing fat. This isn’t healthy for anyone and can be even unhealthier for those suffering from Fibromyalgia.

• Avoid caffeine and anything that has caffeine in it. This may be close to impossible when you consider the popularity of coffee and soft drinks today, but caffeine is a diuretic and can exacerbate IBS symptoms that are common with Fibromyalgia. This means no caffeinated pop and also no chocolate or coffee. If you simply can’t live without these things, try to limit them the best you can or opt for caffeine-free varieties.

• Try to eliminate alcohol consumption. Not only can the combination of many common prescription medications and alcohol be very bad for you, even alcohol on its own can make symptoms worse. Alcohol can aggravate the stomach and digestive tract and cause increased bowel problems.

• Finally, try to reduce or eliminate refined white sugar from your diet. Again, this falls under the category of sound medical advice to anyone, but for Fibromyalgia sufferers, it’s an especially good idea. Not only can sugar disrupt sleep patters if too much is eaten, it can harm your immune system and tests have shown that Fibromyalgia patients report fewer symptoms and less severe symptoms when they decreased their sugar intake.

Treating your Fibromyalgia can be a chore, especially when some doctors won’t even admit it exists. But there are significant steps you can take at home to decrease your Fibromyalgia symptoms by changing what you eat for the better. While everyone may get different results, these tips will hopefully have you on your way to a healthier tomorrow.

For more information on all aspects of Fibromyalgia please visit http://www.FibromyalgiaNaturalRemedies.com.

Watch your sugar intake. Those who cut down or eliminate sugars altogether often feel better. Don’t forget about the less obvious sources of sugar like high fructose corn syrup, which is the most troubling of all sugars, and is found in many sodas and some juices. If you drink juice, make sure it is 100% natural.

Limit caffeine. Though you may be feeling tired and think a jolt of caffeine will help you might be making your sleep issues worse. If you must have some, have it in the morning only, and have only a cup or two of coffee. Caffeine will exaggerate your sleeping difficulties, so watch for caffeine in any form and in things like chocolate and medications, especially when taken later in the day.

Got food allergies? If you are allergic to any type of food, you should eliminate it completely from your diet. One common problem is lactose intolerance. If this is a problem, you have to stop drinking milk and having milk products. Ask your doctor how to supplement vitamin D and calcium if this is something you must do. You need both of these nutrients for a healthy body.

Balance your meals. Though carbs will give you a burst of energy, they should not make up the majority of your eating plan. It is recommended that you have equal amounts of proteins and carbs each meal.

Eat smaller and more frequent meals. You may find that eating a smaller meal will help you feel better, and adding healthy snacks in between can help hold off hunger. Think of it as having five or six small meals a day rather than three large ones. This might help eliminate fatigue in some people.

Avoid preservatives. This is a tough one, but it can be done. You should avoid foods that have preservatives as they can be like toxins to the body. Instead, opt for fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats for the main staples of your diet. Don’t forget about dairy if it is okay for you to have it.

Stop drinking. Alcohol can make sleep patterns worse, and also harm the liver. Many think they sleep more heavily when they are drunk, but in reality, it is not the deep, restful sleep that someone with Fibromyalgia needs.

Ask about vitamin supplements. A lot of Fibromyalgia sufferers aren’t getting the vitamins they need. Vitamins are helpful to almost anyone, and they are a great way to make sure your body is running at it’s optimum. There may be reasons why your doctor does not want you to take them though, so be sure to talk with them about this first.

Be wary of artificial sweeteners. These can have the same toxic affect on the body as preservatives. Eliminate them if you can.

Avoid glutamates. These are something that are found in the red tomato, some potatoes, and certain peppers. They may not be a problem for you, but they can cause problems with muscle pains in some. If you eliminate these from your Fibromyalgia diet, you may find muscle pain diminishes.

Try keeping a food diary for a month and note down what you eat and how you feel. If you notice any patterns regarding certain foods and worsening symptoms work to eliminate that food from your Fibromyalgia diet.

Fibromyalgia is otherwise called Muscular Rheumatism, Tension Myalgia or Fibromyositis. This fibromyalgia is a syndrome where the patient suffers from chronic muscle pain. This is complicated syndrome wherein the pain can be all over the body or just in certain muscles around the joints. The majority who are affected by this are women over the age of 30, who suffer from pain in the neck, back and shoulders. They would generally complain of stiffness, tenderness, and pain in the joints. It may seem that the problem is with the joints, but in fact it is a muscular pain that causes the problem. This can appear in anyone including children and men of all races and is the second most common disorder as per rheumatologists.

Due to the steady pain, the person tends to show signs of stress, sleeplessness, extreme moodiness, and even depression. This may not be constant but can escalate with the pain and uneasiness. The cause of this may be due to certain pain stimulating chemicals in the body and the increase or reduction of serotonin in the body making it sensitive to pain. Fibromyalgia causes the pain to be centralized, wherein you feel the pain elsewhere in the brain or spinal cord. This can be triggered with just a slight touch or even external factors like light and sound. It may seem psychological due to this, but in reality the pain is genuine and caused due to these factors.

There is no specific recommended diet for fibromyalgia but a healthy diet rich in vitamins and minerals can certainly help in coping with the illness. Magnesium rich vegetables are recommended for patient’s suffering from fibromyalgia. Cutting down on wheat and dairy products, having food rich in B12 and proteins, avoiding food with yeast and preservatives can also help. Caffeine, aerated drinks, chocolates and tea can be not only healthier but also reduce the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Turmeric is a powerful antiseptic and analgesic, 400-500 mg of turmeric everyday can help reduce inflammation and heal the tender skin. Ginger is also effective in relieving pain in the body. Ginger juice can be mixed with some honey or lemon juice and had as a refreshing drink.

You need to have food that reduces your anxiety levels. Cutting down on coffee can help you sleep better and open up ways to better health as well. Dairy products can be avoided, as they would trigger the irritable bowel syndrome that commonly affects fibromyalgia patients. Dairy products tend to increase anxiety in some patients and have a negative impact on the nervous system. Having whole grain diet affects some who complain of insomnia and muscle tensing. It is better to avoid it since the components are high in phytic acid and subsequently reduce zinc absorption in the system. Plenty of fruits, vegetables and nuts are recommended in the diet, as they are rich in magnesium.

Saturated fats in the diet can help reduce anxiety even though they tend to make you put on weight. Research has shown that the anxiety levels in the person decreased with the increase in cholesterol levels in the person. Spices tend to increase anxiety; hence, a less spicy diet can have calming effect, as it does not stimulate the body or the mind. Acidic food can reduce the absorption of magnesium, which helps relax the muscles. When there is a magnesium deficiency, the muscles tend to get cramped and tense. Plenty of vegetable juices and soups along with coconut water or any fresh juice can be very refreshing and healthy. Just the simple green salad with lemon juice dressing can be full of the necessary vitamins.

Patients with Fibromyalgia symptoms should avoid vegetables like broccoli, okra, potatoes, and cabbage. They should make it a routine to sleep early in order to avoid stress and fatigue. Some of the patients who suffer from this prolonged joint pain can be allergic to wheat. A gluten free diet is recommended for them, foods that can be avoided are high fat dairy products, fried foods, red meat etc. Research has shown that food rich in sodium and fried stuff can aggravate the pain and inflammation. As mentioned there no specific diet for fibromyalgia, you could try each one and decide which one suits you best as health food and as a way to nursing yourself back to health.

You have gone from doctor to doctor looking for a diagnosis. You have terrible pain in the trigger points, you are severely fatigued, anxious, experiencing brain fog, but don’t know what to do.

Doctor’s are having a hard time diagnosing you and treating your symptoms. You may feel crazy, like no one understands how you are feeling and what you are going through. Doctor’s may not know how to treat you, but there is help. You are not crazy!

There’s a secret out there in the medical community that can help your Fibromyalgia symptoms get better. Many studies have been done to show that changing your diet can help you alleviate the severity of your symptoms. A magic diet? No, there is no such thing. But there are some things that research is validating when it comes to your diet and fibromyalgia.

Listen to your body. Everyone’s metabolism is unique and so is everyone’s diet. There are however, some general tips for everyone’s body to help them feel better. Get rid of the white processed foods that are packed with refined sugars. Also, cut down on fatty foods. Eat more fruits and veggies. Does this sound familiar? Isn’t what our parents have been telling us for years? Well, the hard part is following through on these suggestions.

Fruits and veggies can have amazing benefits for Fibromyalgia sufferers. Fruits and veggies are good sources of vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants and other good nutrients. Eating these has many advantages.

Take the carrot, for instance. It is packed with Beta-carotene which is an antioxidant full of nutritional benefit. Beta Carotene can also be found in apricots, broccoli, kale, spinach, and squash. Another great antioxidant is Vitamin C. We know where some of the major sources of Vitamin C are found: grapefruit, oranges, tangerines, tangelos, etc. But did you know that there is a whole bunch of Vitamin C hanging out in green stuff as well? Sources such as broccoli, kiwi, green peppers, green leafy veggies and more. These antioxidants are essential to your good health and fight against fibromyalgia.

Most people eat less than half of the amount of fruits and veggies they should in a day. The Food Guide Pyramid recommends 5-9 servings each day. I think we should tend to lean on the 9 a day. I know this sounds like a lot but the benefits are so worth it. Try and eat fresh fruit and vegetables and only go to canned or frozen in off-seasons or when there isn’t fresh available.

Other diet tips for fibromyalgia sufferers include; drink more water. Help your body flush the toxins out and to eliminate waste. This will also help with your intestinal problems that are common to fibromyalgia sufferers. More protein and less carbs help just about every body type whether you have fibromyalgia or not. It helps fight the fatigue as well. Stay away from caffeine. Caffeine can make your bad gut worse and make your symptoms of IBS and fibromyalgia worse.

Like I said earlier, there isn’t a magic diet that is going to cure you overnight but with some discipline and attention to your diet you can succeed in ridding yourself of the pain and fatigue associated with this terrible condition. There is hope and you can get better. These tips can make a difference in your life and help you on your way to an energetic joyful life.

For more information on the right diet for Fibromyalgia or on any Fibromyalgia topic, please visit us at www.ridfibromyalgia.com.