It's about those pesky nightshades

Photo courtesy of George Hodan

"Fibro? Yeah, my sister-in-law has that. You know what you should do? Avoid eating..."

"Arthritis? My mother's doctor told her to take..."

"You think you have bad joints? I could barely walk until..."

We've all heard it, right? Everyone has an opinion on what will help ease your pain. That is, unless you're one of the lucky ones who don't suffer from fibro or arthritis or any of the other body pain-related ailments. 

I've suffered from EBVS (Epstein Barr Virus Syndrome) since before it even had a name. I was 16 when the first episode hit and it landed me in bed for months. The only good thing about it was that I was excused from gym class for an entire year.

Later, fibromyalgia was added to the mix of the pain cocktail I was living with. Fun times. 

As a young mom, I was pretty much useless when it came to caring for my kids. I couldn't lift them and I often fell asleep while they were playing at my feet. It was scary time. Eventually, we discovered that the main trigger for the EBVS flare-ups was chemical-related. Once I started eliminating chemicals from my life, I got better. Unfortunately, it took years for me to figure out that cleaning and laundry chemicals were some of the biggest culprits. These days, I have fewer bouts with the disease, although the fibro continues to plague me with joint pain and weakness.

That said, I'm going to join in with the well-meaning folks I quoted in the beginning of this post and offer some advice on what has helped me. Keep in mind, not everything works for everybody. Our bodies are different and respond differently to nearly everything.

Two things that really help me are:
1) Organic bone broth
2) Turmeric (supplements and the spice). I've found the most relief taking Organic India's Turmeric Formula.

Most recently, I've discovered the advantage of avoiding nightshade vegetables. I'd been told about this a few years ago, but ignored the advice, mostly because I didn't want to give up something I enjoyed eating. Then, about 6 months ago, I stumbled upon a Facebook posting about it and decided it was worth trying. 

It meant giving up nightshades, which included potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant. It also meant the end of using paprika, one of my favorite spices. I was pretty convinced it wouldn't work, so I gave it a try. And guess what? It worked. The pain level was significantly decreased. As a matter of fact, for the first time in years, I was pain-free at times. Until you've lived with chronic pain, you can't possibly understand what a miracle that is!

You probably have a couple of questions. First, what's a nightshade?

Collectively, this species of botanical plants (known as Solanaceae) number close to 2,500. While most are not to be consumed at all, others are so common in our diet that it really is difficult to eliminate them (like the ones mentioned above). Click here for a full list of nightshades, along with warnings about homeopathic medications and OTC and prescription drugs, as nightshades could be used as fillers, etc.

Second, what's the problem with them?

Most research points to the alkaloids in nightshades. Alkaloids can produce inflammation; thus joint pain and swelling.

For some, consumption of nightshades is linked to chronic pain. Perhaps there is an allergic reaction involved, because not all people who consume nightshades experience joint stiffness, swelling, and debilitating pain that others live with. As I mentioned in the beginning of this post, every body is different. But that doesn't mean that eating potatoes or tomatoes isn't the source of your pain. It well might be. 

For me, potatoes seem to be the worst trigger. I avoid raw tomatoes, but cooked sauce doesn't seem to bother me. It's all about experimenting and finding out what works best for you.

If you're seeking a reason why your pain flares at certain times, perhaps keeping a food diary would be a good idea. Or try avoiding nightshades for two or three months and see what happens. The difference it made for me was dramatic and quick. 

Maybe you've already done your own experiments and discovered your own triggers. Dairy? Gluten? A combination? Share your story below in the comments. Maybe your personal experience will help someone else ease their own suffering.

I'd love to hear your stories!

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. The above is simply an observation I have made based on my own experience. Always seek the advice of your physician.

Vinegar Friday -- the benefits of bone broth

TGIVF!!

Here it is, the first Friday of a new month already. That means it's Vinegar Friday! Today, we're talking food, but it's about a whole lot more than tastiness.

A few months ago, someone posted someone on Facebook about bone broth. I don't remember who it was, but the post piqued my curiosity. After all, "bone broth" sounds a little bit creepy.

After reading about it, however, and doing my own research, I thought it was certainly worth a try. I'd been suffering with a flare up of my fibromyalgia since September when I was extremely ill with a kidney infection. This past winter didn't help with all the fluctuations in barometric pressure we were experiencing here in Pittsburgh. Everything in me hurt. Literally. At times, I found myself unable to walk up the stairs at the end of the night. That was scary for me. My husband and I started discussing the possibility of installing a chair lift. Not something I ever wanted to consider. As it was, I simply avoided steps as much as I could. It was just too painful.

I read that bone broth could ease my fibro symptoms, and hey, I was ready to try nearly anything, as long as it wasn't a pharmaceutical drug that would just cause other symptoms. 

I bought an organic chicken and made my first batch of the magic potion. The first day, I drank four mugfuls. Then I drank another one or two every day for a week. By the end of the week, I was pain-free. I kid you not! I had zero pain. None. 

Hmmm. Could it be? I continued to make the broth, using only organic chickens, as the last thing I wanted was antibiotics and other nasty stuff infusing my new favorite.thing.ever. And the pain-free days, and nights, continued. I was a new woman!

Then I had to go away for a conference and was gone for five days. I wondered what five bone-broth-free days would feel like. Unfortunately, I found out. On the fourth day, I started up the steps at my friend's house and stopped dead. The pain was back and climbing the steps took a real effort. That was enough to convince me that bone broth is the miracle I had been praying for.

But what does all this have to do with vinegar? Simple. The key to making bone broth that is effective at treating the symptoms of fibro is apple cider vinegar. Just one to two tablespoons per batch is all it takes. What the vinegar does is leach the minerals from the bones. Minerals like

• calcium
  
• magnesium
• phosphorus
• silicon
• sulfur
• other trace minerals

Additionally, the cartilage and tendons in the chicken bones contain other beneficial elements, like glucosamine and chondroitin sulphates. Do any of you buy any of these as supplements? By drinking bone broth, you'll be blessing your body with all of this naturally, without paying the high cost of supplements. That's one of the things I love about making my own bone broth.
There is a downside, however. While you're cooking your broth, you'll be tortured by the smell of it -- I find I'm hungry all day when it's cooking because it smells soooo good.

I just learned that there is more benefit if you add the vinegar to cold water and let the bones soak for about an hour before turning on the heat. This will soften the bones and pull more of the minerals and gelatin from the bones. Adding chicken feet or knuckles will add even more benefit, so ask your local butcher if he has any to spare.

Of course, I use unfiltered organic raw vinegar in my broth. After it's cooked, it lasts for five days in the fridge or for months in the freezer. You can boil it for a second time after four or five days and it will keep for another five days in the refrigerator. Mine never lasts that long.

I not only drink it, but I also use it to cook rice and vegetables. I haven't made soup with it yet, but certainly plan on doing so. I just enjoy drinking it so much, I haven't doctored it up much.

So now, I hope you're wanting the recipe. Click here for directions on how I make my bone broth.

Keeping it tasty and healthy with vinegar,

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. The above information is based on my experience and not on any medical data. There has been some concern about exposure to lead while drinking organic bone broth. Please click here for more information about that if you are concerned.

As a mother and grandmother, I am constantly researching healthier living options, which include being proactive in preventing diseases and conditions. My use of homeopathic remedies has spanned decades and is the reason I'm thrilled to be a Hyland's HealthMaker. Let's not just treat our health conditions, let's do everything we can to prevent them.