Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia Fog and a Low Carb Diet
A low-carb-diet may help chronic fatigue syndrome, and reduce the symptoms of fibromyalgia.
A low carbohydrate diet consists of eating protein along with carbohydrates that have a low
glycemic index. Carbohydrates with a low glycemic index do not increase insulin levels
in the body and therefore will reduce fatigue. These "favorable" carbohydrates
that will reduce fatigue include lettuce, spinach, strawberries, blueberries,
cherries, apples, oranges, etc. On the otherhand, carbohydrates with a high glycemic index
will increase insulin levels in the body and thus will increase fatigue. These
"unfavorable" carbohydrates that increases fatigue include bread, pasta, rice, potatoes,
bananas, mangoes, orange juice, fruit juice, dried fruit, etc.
A "healthy" version low carb diet is the Zone Diet by Barry Sears. It consists
of eating very lean sources of protein (such as chicken breast), carbohydrates with a low
glycemic index, and monounsaturated fats (such as nuts).
A more "unhealthy" version of a low carbohydrate diet is the Atkins Diet. It allows one to eat high
amounts of saturated fats such as eggs with yolks, steaks, etc. The South Beach
Diet is another low carb diet that imitates the beginning stages of the Atkins diet but
replaces saturated fats with monounsaturated fats making it a "healthier" low carb diet. The South Beach Diet imitates the
Zone Diet in its later stages.
Tell us your experience with low carb diets. Rate this chronic fatigue syndrome / fibromyalgia fog treatment below.
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Treatment Ratings for FMS Symptoms
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Fibromyalgia Tender Point Pain Relief
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4.70
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Myofasical Trigger Point Pain Relief
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4.29
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More Energy / Mental Clarity
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7.70
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Better Sleep
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5.11
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No Side Effects
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8.70
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Convenience
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5.60
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Cost/Benefit
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8.70
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Depression Relief
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7.14
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Irritable Bowel Syndrome Relief
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7.00
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Genitourinary Problem Relief
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4.00
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Skin Problem Relief
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4.80
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Hyopoglycemia Relief
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9.00
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Based on 10 rating(s) & review(s).
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Low Carb The Long Term Solution 10/10/08
Reviewed by:
Location Not Given
I have been on a low carb diet for five years and have found it to be the most effective treatment for my Fibromyalgia. All of my symptoms are relieved and as long as I pace myself throughout the day I am happy to say that I now function at an almost normal level everyday. The only times that I struggle is when I accidentally eat too many carbs. When I do eat too many carbs, especially bread or chocolate I find I get addicted straight away and my symptoms return. I then have to cut down to the bare minimum for a few days and as long as I rest my symptoms improve radically. In addition to Fibromyagia I frequently have Candida. This condition is also kept under control with the low carb diet. I have also lost some weight whilst on this diet which I believe has helped my body cope better with the Fibromyalgia symptoms. I rarely need any medication nowadays and would recommend a low carb diet to anybody that suffers from Fibromyalgia.
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Treatment Time Frame:
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Over 5 Years
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Treatment Frequency:
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1 Time Per Day
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Fibromyalgia Tender Point Pain Relief
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8
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Myofascial Trigger Point Pain Relief
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9
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More Energy / Mental Clarity
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8
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Better Sleep
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8
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No Side Effects
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9
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Convenience
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9
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Cost/Benefit
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10
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Depression Relief
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9
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Irritable Bowel Syndrome Relief
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9
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Genitourinary Problem Relief
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n/a
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Skin Problem Relief
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n/a
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Hypoglycemia Relief
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9
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Did this review help you?
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Low Carb Diett 07/08/08
Reviewed by:
Location Not Given
I think this diet can be a great help if a person can manage the first two weeks of low-carbing. Trying to cut out sugar and flour and other hi-starch foods can be hard with the cravings, but it can be done.
I have found that it takes a while to see a change in symptoms and intensity of them, but it is worth it to me.
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Treatment Time Frame:
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3 Months
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Treatment Frequency:
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3 Times Per Day
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Fibromyalgia Tender Point Pain Relief
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4
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Myofascial Trigger Point Pain Relief
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3
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More Energy / Mental Clarity
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8
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Better Sleep
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7
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No Side Effects
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7
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Convenience
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3
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Cost/Benefit
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9
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Depression Relief
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7
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Irritable Bowel Syndrome Relief
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7
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Genitourinary Problem Relief
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8
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Skin Problem Relief
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7
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Hypoglycemia Relief
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8
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Did this review help you?
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0 out of 1 people found this review useful.
This was well worth it, really helps 07/06/07
Reviewed by:
Location Not Given
I had lost aprox. 50 lbs within 6 months with this, along with almost feeling totally "normal" again. Since Christmas I have not been following it and my pain is increasing, along with my sleep disturbances, and fatigue levels. It is a little difficult at first, but after a week, your cravings diminish and you start to feel better.... No dairy, Nothing white, No Sugar. I did eat fruits, Rye bread, biscuits made with spelt flour, salads, meats (no processed), and used Soy Milk), Butter, Mollasses, buckwheat pancakes and maple syrup allowed... anything natural is good, decaf coffee with soy cream. I also used a mult-probiotic, digest plus, and mycoplex supplements. Any questions, email me and I will gladly help.
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Treatment Time Frame:
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5 Months
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Treatment Frequency:
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Tried it 4 Times
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Fibromyalgia Tender Point Pain Relief
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9
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Myofascial Trigger Point Pain Relief
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n/a
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More Energy / Mental Clarity
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9
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Better Sleep
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9
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No Side Effects
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10
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Convenience
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6
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Cost/Benefit
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10
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Depression Relief
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8
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Irritable Bowel Syndrome Relief
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10
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Genitourinary Problem Relief
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n/a
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Skin Problem Relief
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10
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Hypoglycemia Relief
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10
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Did this review help you?
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1 out of 1 people found this review useful.
The diet had no positive effects 10/31/06
Reviewed by:
Location Not Given
The amount of carbs eaten had little to no effect on any part of my Fibromyalgia symptoms. My participation in the low-carb diet was very strict over 8 months.
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Treatment Time Frame:
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8 Months
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Treatment Frequency:
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Tried it Over 5 Times
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Fibromyalgia Tender Point Pain Relief
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1
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Myofascial Trigger Point Pain Relief
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1
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More Energy / Mental Clarity
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1
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Better Sleep
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1
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No Side Effects
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3
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Convenience
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1
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Cost/Benefit
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1
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Depression Relief
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n/a
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Irritable Bowel Syndrome Relief
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n/a
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Genitourinary Problem Relief
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n/a
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Skin Problem Relief
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3
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Hypoglycemia Relief
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n/a
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Did this review help you?
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0 out of 1 people found this review useful.
This works! 06/12/06
Reviewed by:
Arizona, USA
I went on a high protein, low carb diet to lose weight 3 years ago and got a bonus by reducing the intensity of pain from the fibro. I am able to do so much more now! I still have pain, but very manageable pain. I still take ibuprofen but not on an hourly basis like before, in fact sometimes I go a whole week without it. I still have really bad days but now they come and go about in about a day or so, once every 2 months. I just had my cholesterol checked and it is great though I eat a lot of meat and eggs. Without the carbs, your cholesterol stays in check and the pain is no longer your focus everyday.
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Treatment Time Frame:
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3 Years
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Treatment Frequency:
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When Needed
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Fibromyalgia Tender Point Pain Relief
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6
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Myofascial Trigger Point Pain Relief
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n/a
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More Energy / Mental Clarity
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7
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Better Sleep
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10
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No Side Effects
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9
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Convenience
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9
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Cost/Benefit
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10
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Depression Relief
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8
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Irritable Bowel Syndrome Relief
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1
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Genitourinary Problem Relief
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n/a
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Skin Problem Relief
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n/a
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Hypoglycemia Relief
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n/a
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Did this review help you?
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1 out of 2 people found this review useful.
hard to stick to but wonderful if you can 05/13/06
Reviewed by:
Location Not Given
The low carb high protein diet is for me the best way to treat my IBS and fatigue. It also lifts your spirits, without the highs and lows that we encounter with processed and sugary foods, this diet allows your body to regulate itself, which in turn produces a an overall well being. to really enjoy the effects of this diet one should be stringent and keep your carbs limited to veggies and berries only.
Downfall: so hard to stick to in the long term-
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Treatment Time Frame:
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3 Years
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Treatment Frequency:
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When Needed
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Fibromyalgia Tender Point Pain Relief
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7
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Myofascial Trigger Point Pain Relief
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5
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More Energy / Mental Clarity
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9
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Better Sleep
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3
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No Side Effects
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9
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Convenience
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7
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Cost/Benefit
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10
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Depression Relief
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9
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Irritable Bowel Syndrome Relief
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10
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Genitourinary Problem Relief
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6
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Skin Problem Relief
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n/a
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Hypoglycemia Relief
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8
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Did this review help you?
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0 out of 1 people found this review useful.
Not easy but worth it 11/21/05
Reviewed by:
Youngstown, Ohio, USA
Eating low carb for me meant cutting out a lot of the processed foods. I wasn't quite as strict with the diet when it came to higher carb veggies.
I have relatively severe reactive hypoglycemia and eating low carb - if I stuck to it - helped even out my moods quite a bit, enabled me to lose weight and although it hasn't been a "cure" for my fibro or chronic fatigue it did more to help me feel better overall than any other treatment to date! Lately I've gotten lazy and started cheating and boy do I pay for it in "fog" and pain.
I won't nessecarily endorse "low carb" but if you choose to "eat smart" by cutting out just the junk I promise your body will thank you for it!
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Treatment Time Frame:
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1.5 Years
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Treatment Frequency:
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When Needed
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Fibromyalgia Tender Point Pain Relief
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5
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Myofascial Trigger Point Pain Relief
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5
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More Energy / Mental Clarity
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7
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Better Sleep
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3
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No Side Effects
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10
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Convenience
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6
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Cost/Benefit
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10
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Depression Relief
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6
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Irritable Bowel Syndrome Relief
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8
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Genitourinary Problem Relief
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1
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Skin Problem Relief
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n/a
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Hypoglycemia Relief
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9
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Did this review help you?
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0 out of 1 people found this review useful.
I Couldn't Function Withou It=Migraines 08/15/05
Reviewed by:
Location Not Given
If I don't stick to a pretty strict hg diet (modified Atkin's) I am slammed with a severe migraine(vomiting, diarrhea, low blood pressure, weakness, light sensitivity... the whole 9 yards). I eat very little carbs, which is a concern for me "health"wise. Also, on this diet, I have to eat frequently in order to maintain whatever energy I DO have and avoid blurred vision/dizziness. I need to lose weight, which I haven't been able to do so might switch to something more "fat restrictive."
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Treatment Time Frame:
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3 Years
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Treatment Frequency:
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6 Times Per Day
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Fibromyalgia Tender Point Pain Relief
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2
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Myofascial Trigger Point Pain Relief
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4
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More Energy / Mental Clarity
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10
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Better Sleep
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n/a
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No Side Effects
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10
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Convenience
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2
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Cost/Benefit
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10
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Depression Relief
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3
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Irritable Bowel Syndrome Relief
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4
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Genitourinary Problem Relief
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1
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Skin Problem Relief
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1
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Hypoglycemia Relief
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10
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Did this review help you?
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1 out of 2 people found this review useful.
Yes it works 02/18/05
Reviewed by:
Wichita, Kansas, USA
A low carb diet helps with fibromyalgia brain fogginess. I have much more clarity when I have the discipline to follow my chicken breast diet. It helps prevent my symptoms from flaring up.
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Treatment Time Frame:
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1.5 Years
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Treatment Frequency:
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4 Times Per Day
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Fibromyalgia Tender Point Pain Relief
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3
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Myofascial Trigger Point Pain Relief
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3
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More Energy / Mental Clarity
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10
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Better Sleep
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3
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No Side Effects
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10
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Convenience
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8
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Cost/Benefit
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7
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Depression Relief
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n/a
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Irritable Bowel Syndrome Relief
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n/a
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Genitourinary Problem Relief
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n/a
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Skin Problem Relief
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n/a
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Hypoglycemia Relief
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9
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Did this review help you?
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1 out of 2 people found this review useful.
Low carbs helps with my fatigue 08/27/04
Reviewed by:
Birmingham, Alabama, USA
Low carbs helped with my fatigue - I have much more energy than before.
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Treatment Time Frame:
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6 Months
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Treatment Frequency:
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3 Times Per Day
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Fibromyalgia Tender Point Pain Relief
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2
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Myofascial Trigger Point Pain Relief
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n/a
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More Energy / Mental Clarity
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8
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Better Sleep
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2
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No Side Effects
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10
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Convenience
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5
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Cost/Benefit
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10
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Depression Relief
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n/a
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Irritable Bowel Syndrome Relief
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n/a
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Genitourinary Problem Relief
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n/a
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Skin Problem Relief
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3
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Hypoglycemia Relief
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n/a
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Did this review help you?
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