How Tart Cherry May Help With Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a painful condition that is accompanied by widespread pain, fatigue, and sometimes there are mental health consequences or cognitive impairments. This is considered a problem on a spectrum of central sensitization syndromes. Some also consider this to be an endocannabinoid deficiency syndrome. Others simply refer to fibromyalgia as ‘’myositis’ or inflamed muscle.
There is no known cure for fibromyalgia; however, there are many medicines available that can help control symptoms. There are also remedies that can halt the root causes of these symptoms.
WHAT DOES FIBROMYALGIA DO TO THE BODY?
Fibromyalgia symptoms have been observed to flare-up after an event of physical trauma, infection, surgery, or psychological stress. Symptoms can build slowly or appear suddenly.
Pain associated with fibromyalgia is generally described as a dull ache and can manifest almost anywhere on the body. However, sometimes, there are sharp and distinct areas of pain.
Most of the time, the pain is in muscle or fascial tissues. The severity of pain often interrupts sleep and can cause brain fog. There are mood disorders associated with this condition.
WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF FIBROMYALGIA?
Researchers have found that the condition can develop due to genetics, certain types of infections, or certain types of physical or emotional trauma. As with many such chronic and painful conditions, there is generally a basic problem with inflammation and also oxidative stress damaging cells and causing pain.
Pain associated with fibromyalgia is thought to be caused by an abnormal increase of chemicals (neurotransmitters) that stimulates and triggers pain receptors. Researchers believe that these pain receptors become sensitive and overreact to stimuli. In other words, such receptors trigger what the brain considers pain even with simple and normal movements or touches.
TART CHERRY AS A FORM OF FIBROMYALGIA PAIN MANAGEMENT
Many people with fibromyalgia utilize prescription and over-the-counter pain relievers to manage their pain. Over-the-counter NSAIDs are by far the most common types of pain relievers. NSAIDs have some side effects associated with long-term use such as stomach ulcers and an increased risk of strokes and heart attacks. Narcotics are often prescribed for this condition as well. However, the risks of narcotics are so many and so horrible, that these are not really a good choice for most people.
Tart Cherries are a natural anti-inflammatory that targets some of the same enzymes as NSAIDs, but in a much more gentle manner with none of the same types of side-effects. Tart Cherry is a Cox-2 inhibitor that is not known to have the same side effects as NSAIDs. Cherries also are packed with antioxidants, which help keep your free radical levels low. Increasing your antioxidant intake can help reduce low-grade inflammation, reduce brain fog, increase energy levels, and more. Indeed, the fundamental source of what we call pain is generally damage to cells and stimulation of nerve fibers from the mechanisms of inflammation and oxidative stress.
This study found that participants with fibromyalgia experienced less pain when they drank 2 bottles 10.5 oz a day for 10 days.
So, Juice or Supplements?
Our Tart Cherry Extract is offered in 1500mg capsules, a higher dose that allows for the health benefits listed above. Our Tart Cherry Extract contains 1500 mg of tart cherry. This extract gives you all the benefits of tart cherry juice, without the added sugars and bitter taste!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Meredith Warner is the creator of Well Theory and The Healing Sole. She is a board-certified Orthopedic Surgeon and Air Force Veteran.
She is on a mission to disrupt traditional medicine practices and promote betterment physically, spiritually and mentally to many more people. She advocates for wellness and functional health over big pharma so more people can age vibrantly with more function and less pain.
At Well Theory, Our surgeon-designed products are FDA Registered and formulated to help people:
- Manage the symptoms of musculoskeletal pain
- Recover vibrantly from orthopedic related surgeries
- Fill the gaps in our daily diets
- Manage pain associated with inflammation