Oxidative Stress A Cause Of Fibromyalgia?

Hi Everyone,

I have been reading online about oxidative stress being a cause of fibromyalgia. This finding seems to make a lot of sense. I find if I eat an offending food or if I am around air pollution or I experience more stress than usual, my fibromyalgia symptoms become intensified.

My husband was recently diagnosed with a serious neurodegenerative condition. Fibromyalgia is also thought to be a neurodegenerative condition. Even though my husband and I eat fairly healthy, we are looking into participating in the ketogenic diet. The ketogenic diet can help with inflammation and oxidative stress.


Here are a couple articles about oxidative stress:


http://www.americanhealthcarefoundation.org/fibromyalgia-md/RoleOfOxidativeStress.cfm


This second article lists contributors to oxidative stress:

http://www.wallerwellness.com/what-is-functional-medicine/understanding-oxidative-stress


I would be interested to know what you think.

Post Edited (almost medfree) : 8/30/2015 4:30:24 AM (GMT-6)

Thanks, Rockon, for this last link of yours too. Unfortunately it doesn't go through on my end. There is a sign in that's needed.

This subject is very important to me too so I have included in this post the free radicals that are listed in the above article that can cause oxidative stress:

What Causes Free Radicals?

Free radicals are a byproduct of energy consumption in our mitochondria, the factories that produce energy in each of our cells. As we breathe, we can’t help but make some free radicals, but many other factors in your lifestyle and environment can also contribute to their production, like:

Eating too many calories, sugars and/or refined carbohydrates. When we eat more, our mitochondria release more “exhaust,” creating higher levels of free radicals as they burn fuel from food for energy.

Exercising too much or too little. Exercise is an important part of any healthy lifestyle, but too much can increase oxidative stress in our bodies. In general, more than 60 minutes per day is considered excessive, while less than 30 minutes five times a week is not enough.

Excessive alcohol consumption. Drinking alcohol increases your levels of cytokines, inflammatory molecules that are linked to oxidative stress.

Exposure to tobacco smoke. Tobacco smoke contains more than 4,000 toxic chemicals that lead to oxidative stress.

Exposure to air pollutants. Allergens and industrial pollution increase oxidation in our bodies.

Excessive stress. Stress and the stress hormone cortisol increase inflammation, which further increases free radical production.

Ionizing radiation. Exposure to the sun, x-rays, radon, hair dryers, cellphones, airplanes, electric blankets and waterbed heaters can contribute to oxidative stress.

Eating charbroiled foods. These contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which can contribute to oxidative stress.

Exposure to fungal toxins. Environmental molds (like those in bathrooms and basements) and internal molds and fungi (those related to your gut) can produce toxins that increase oxidative stress.

Poor liver and gut detoxification. When the liver becomes overwhelmed with toxins from food (like when you eat too much sugar) or the environment (like exposure to pesticides or mercury), it becomes inflamed and
produces more free radicals.

Chronic infections. Dental infections and chlamydia can cause hidden infections that contribute to oxidative stress.

Lack of sleep. Sleep deprivation increases oxidation.