Ten years ago, I read that proper nutrition had the power to heal chronic health challenges including fibromyalgia. I said, “Pshaw!” After all, my rheumatologist said to my face, “It doesn’t matter what you eat.” That was good enough for me.
I so, so, so, wanted to believe that.
But, as I researched and read everything I could get my hands on regarding healing (not masking) my symptoms, I kept coming back to the subject of nutrition. I admit it. It was irritating.
It seemed so simplistic.
In my western medicine mentality, I knew that there was a “pill for every ill.” That made sense to me. If I had PMS cramps, I took a pill to alleviate cramps. If my head hurt, I took a headache medication for that. I believed that every system in my body ran independent of the others.
So, every time I tripped over an article that talked about nutrition healing multiple symptoms, I found it ridiculous.
How could one thing like eating whole foods heal so many different symptoms?
Here’s what I understand now, but didn’t get then.
The body is a complex system of functions and processes. When running at optimum levels, every system of the body communicates with efficiency and ease. When things are gunked up (i.e. chronic health challenges such as fibromyalgia, autoimmune conditions, etc.), the communications go wonky.
If the whole body is out of balance, healing at the root level is the place to begin.
And, nutrition provides healing at the root level.
Here’s another way to look at it.
Imagine going to your local garden center and telling the clerk that you’d like healthier rose bushes. Would you ask to purchase 5 separate fertilizers? One for the roots, one for the stems, one for the leaves, one for the thorns, and another for the blooms?
That’s just silly.
A fertilizer that feeds the rose bush at the root level, feeds the entire plant.
In the same way, healthy, whole, healing nutrition can feed and restore the body at the root level.
My goal now – when working with clients – is to begin the journey of healing through nutrition, and then assess whatever else needs to be addressed.
Alternatively, if we address each symptom as it comes up, we’re only tackling the issues at the surface level. It’s far more efficient to start with the fundamentals of healing – nutrition, and by default, the digestive system. In this way, we can address multiple symptoms at once.
Did you know we can also address multiple diagnoses at once?
This is another confusing topic. How can a few basic principles help many conditions such as fibromyalgia, ME/CFS, arthritis, autoimmune disease, obesity, depression, MS, thyroid dysfunction, hormone dysfunction, cancer and more? Because, when we begin to heal from the inside out, we alleviate the root causes of what creates dis-ease in the first place. Because we’re each unique, our expressions of imbalance differ. So, we may have varying diagnoses, but we can all heal at varying levels, too.
So, now I get it.
Is this something that you’ve found confusing, too? Share your comments below!
I find this notion completely and utterly logical. How many times are we told ‘you are what you eat’? Our bodies are made up of the nutrition that we consume, therefore of course it impacts on our health.
As my good friend and colleague Glen Depke always says, “We’re not only what we eat, we’re what we absorb.” That means our digestive health is at the core of everything! So glad you’re on board, Ann!
Clearly diet DOES makes ALL the difference!
I’ve been on a VERY strict gluten zero diet since November last year. I’ve also eliminated the multiple foods I’m allergic/sensitive to. This diet has been boring and difficult as I have to make everything myself from scratch, can’t eat what others consider “normal” food, and can’t eat out or accept invitations to dinner. But I do invite people to my place as I can then control what I eat. Or else I take my own meals.
It has been TOTALLY worth the discipline as I’m feeling so much better and now constantly getting compliments on how well I look (I’m 71) My body is healing from ALL the past problems. I was so ill my family begged me to make sure my will was in order, sell my house and move to a nursing home.
I’ve learned that what I eat has to be tailored exactly to MY needs and not to what others consider a healthy diet. There are many ‘healthy’ foods that I cannot tolerate. I use the pulse test to determine what I should eat. I cannot tolerate most commercial gluten free foods, so back to my own kitchen.
A doctor also told me that what you eat doesn’t matter. I just asked “so what if a person just stops eating?” and the doctor looked a bit sheepish and admitted that food really DOES matter.
EVERYTHING we put into our body is processed and has to be dealt with – either as a nutrient or a toxin – just like every click with your computer mouse has to be processed. This processing also includes things in your enviroment that you smell, hear, touch, see, as well as the thoughts you allow or focus on. I focus on my feeling healthier, not my illnesses. Whatever you focus on – you get more of!
It takes a long time to get well, so be careful who you allow to influence your thoughts. I’m very careful what I watch on TV – it has to be happy, positive, enjoyable. Self discipline actually results in better health and greater happiness.
As someone once said: “In life you either get to pay the price or discipline, or you WILL pay the price of regret.”
Nola — I love your fabulous input here and your comment will help EVERYONE in this Rebuilding Wellness community. Thanks!
So how do we do this? I’ve tried veggies and high fiber, and gained weight. And gluten-free is so difficult, esp. when I have others to feed who won’t eat gluten-free. Ideas?
Faith — I have TONS of ideas and resources to help change the ways we eat. You can read over 250 posts here and some very comprehensive articles from me on ProHealth.com. I also hope you’ve signed up to receive my free Stop PAIN guide, here (https://rebuildingwellness.com/stop-pain-guide/). I can’t say that eating veggies and high fiber should make you gain weight — there has to be other things going on at the time, including stress, and what other macronutrients you were eating (or missing) at that time. I’d have to look at the big picture to evaluate that. And, I completely understand how it may feel difficult to make nutritional changes. They do seem daunting. Some people jump in and make changes all at once, others do it in a step-by-step fashion. Neither one is right or wrong. You need to find what works for you. And … by the way, from my experience, the family will follow along. Healthy foods can be fabulous-tasting food, too 😉 Email me here if you’d like more info….
Woah! I thought I was the only person who had the same perspective regarding nutrition. I just don’t get that people are too fond of believing the idea about “nutrition can be a good means for cure”. I mean yeah, it can help but that doesn’t give a big part. I’d say its all based on combined internal and external factors.
Thanks for your input, Vincent. And, you’re right in that nutrition isn’t a fix-all. It does provide, however, a wonderful foundation for healing. Other healing treatments can’t take root if the nutritional component isn’t there. It takes a concerted effort of all internal and external factors to really get the ball rolling – and you’re sure right about that. Thanks for chiming in!
I have chronic pain from Fibromyalgia and I try to make healthier choices in regards to food, but find it difficult at best when one day I read that Kale is the healthiest choice only to find out differently in another source. Superfoods come and go and I never know what to believe anymore. I just go with my gut (no pun intended) and go with my orginal thinking of Balance and Moderation in everything I do including food. Thank you
You’re right on, Sandy. We do often hear conflicting information in the media regarding nutrition – but that that’s the case on anything reported in the media, right? Yes, kale is a super food. It provides an abundance of nutrients all packed into one leafy green. Just like any nutrient, too much of one thing can have some detrimental effects for specific people. Those with significant thyroid issues may want to watch their intake of high levels of kale and spinach (as well as some other veggies). And, you’re right – the key is to determine what works best for YOU, and to put it into practice. Thanks for adding your voice to this community!