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.

Touting the benefits of turmeric

"If I had only one single herb to depend upon for all possible health and dietary needs,

I would without much hesitation choose Turmeric."

--Dr. David Frawley, Founder of the American Institute for Vedic Studies

I am in an awkward position. I really want to tell you about this amazing herb, but I'm not a doctor, pharmacist, scientist, researcher, or anything that resembles any of them. So I would never want anyone to take what I say about health benefits of something without doing some research themselves. I only know what works for me. Of course, everyone is different. But when I find something that so wonderfully improves the quality of my life, I just have to share it.

I have been suffering from EBVS (Epstein Barr Virus Syndrome) since I was sixteen-years-old. There are no cures, only treatments that may or may not help. Additionally, I developed fibromyalgia, a very painful condition which makes walking quite difficult, especially when combined with EBVS.

Years ago, I started taking St. John's Wort for my bi-polar disorder (I know...that's a lot of disorders -- did I mention diabetes and asthma as well?). Anyway, after awhile I noticed a big change in my EBVS symptoms. By accident, I discovered that St. John's Wort is often used, with success, to treat EBVS. Wonderful! A little herb that packs a powerful punch for two of my conditions. As far as the bi-polar goes, I recognize that I am blessed to be able to treat such a serious condition without medication.

A word of warning -- St. John's Wort should never be combined with an antidepressant (with a few exceptions), so do not start taking it without talking to your doctor first. In my case, I weaned myself off lithium and Prozac and waited two weeks before starting on the St. John's Wort. Like I said, I consider myself blessed that it works for me.

Well, when I sat down to write this, I had no intention of mentioning the St. John's Wort. Sorry I got sidetracked. Let's move on to the turmeric.

A few months ago I stopped by Right by Nature in downtown Pittsburgh and chatted with a woman working in the nutritional supplements section. I told her about my fibromyalgia and she immediately directed me to a product called Turmeric Formula by Organic India, telling me that people with fibro come in all the time to buy it. The ingredients in the formula are as follows:

• Organic Turmeric rhizome (Curcuma longa) 400mg
• Turmeric Extract -- 95% curcumimoids 100mg
• Organic Ginger rhizome (Zingiber officinale) 50mg

The suggested dosage is one to two capsules with food and water two times a day.

I take two capsules once a day and, let me tell you, it is a miracle herb for me.

How do I know it is not just a coincidence? Well, I ran out of it and then had to go out of town. After a few days, I noticed the pain returning. After ten days, the pain was ridiculous. I took another trip downtown to Right by Nature and bought another bottle. And guess what? The pain is nearly gone again.

So this is my endorsement for this wonderful little herbal formula. However, do not even consider taking turmeric if you are pregnant, as it can cause uterine contractions.

You should avoid taking it for other reasons as well, such as if you have:

• gallstones
• bile obstruction
• obstructive jaundice
• unidentified congestive heart failure
• toxic liver disorder

While you should always speak with your doctor before starting an herbal remedy, this is especially true if you are nursing, are trying to get pregnant, have a blood-clot disorder, or are on any type of medication.

Since the turmeric formula has worked well for my fibro, I decided to look into other benefits linked to it. The list is impressive and includes the following possible benefits:

• Detoxifies the liver
• Slows progress of multiple sclerosis (in mice, at least)
• Boosts fat metabolism (yippee -- maybe I'll be skinny sometime in the next couple of decades!)
• Kills pain naturally
• Treats depression
• As an anti-inflammatory, it lessens the severity of arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
• Eases symptoms of psoriasis and some other skin conditions
• Removes the buildup of amyloyd plaque on the brain, thus slowing the progression, and possibly preventing Alzheimer's

Remember, all these things are just possibilities, but they are based on research and studies done throughout the world. Most remarkably, to me, is what turmeric is said to do in regards to cancer, including reducing the risk of childhood leukemia, restricting metastases in various forms of cancer, preventing melanoma and killing off existing melanoma cells, preventing the spread of cancer in the breast to the lung, stopping the growth of new blood vessels in tumors, and boosting the effects of the chemo drug, Paclitaxel, and limiting its side effects. And apparently, when combined with cauliflower (go figure!), turmeric has been known to prevent prostate cancer and stop the growth of the tumor in existing cases. Additionally, there are ongoing studies on the positive effects of this wonder spice on pancreatic cancer and on multiple myeloma!

Whether you decide to take turmeric in capsule form, like I do, or find new spice up your cooking with it, I strongly recommend adding it to your diet in one way or another (unless you fall in any of the avoid-taking-this categories listed above).

I am so glad someone directed me to this little bottle on the shelf. Merry Christmas to me!

Keeping it healthy,

Hana