Nutra-Sweet and Aspartame: The Fibromyalgia Connection

This is an interesting article, I know we have talked about artificial sweeteners before, as well as dietary exclusions to watch for, this provides a medical connection for the aspartame and reason it may affect us fibros is a bad way. It also serves to reinterrate the others that we are told to stay away from. The one on the list I have the hardest time staying away from is caffeine :(


http://www.webmd.com/fibromyalgia/guide/fibromyalgia-the-diet-connection


All the experts WebMD talked to agree that for a large majority of people with fibromyalgia, foods sweetened with aspartame could exacerbate fibromyalgia symptoms.

"There is a pain receptor in the nervous system known as NMDA," says McNett. "When pain turns from acute to chronic, it involves opening the NMDA pain receptor. Aspartame, which is classified as an excitotoxin, helps to stimulate this event." He also says people with fibromyalgia appear to already have overly active NMDA pain receptors, making them more susceptible to the stimulation.

The other 6 items on the list are:
2. Food additives including MSG (monosodium glutamine) and nitrates.
3. Sugar, fructose, and simple carbohydrates.
4. Caffeine -- including coffee, tea, colas, and chocolate.
5. Yeast and gluten.
6. Dairy.
7. Nightshade Plants: Tomatoes, chili and bell peppers, potatoes, and eggplant.

Oh and good news the article also says that "other artificial sweeteners such as Splenda, saccharin, and stevia do not appear to have the same effect as aspartame."  But I am skeptical, as Splenda has had very bad effects on *my* intestinal system!