Fibromyalgia Support Group

I've come across an article by Adrienne Dellwo and wanted to share it with you, she says:

Dark chocolate has numerous health benefits, and some of them could specifically benefit those of us with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.

* It contains serotonin, which tends to be deficient in us

* It stimulates endorphin release in your brain, which elevates the mood, kills pain and may boost the immune system

* It may lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol, which protects the heart (some research links chronic fatigue syndrome to cardiovascular irregularities)

* It contains antioxidants (in the form of flavinoids), which some experts recommend for these conditions.

Full Article http://chronicfatigue.about.com/b/2010/05/19/dark-chocolate- for-fibromyalgia-chronic-fatigue-syndrome.htm

Oh yes I too receive emails from that site and I just read it. I know this about chocolate but its great to be reminded. You know Fibro fog and all sure take a toll on my memory. Thanks for sharing.

Olga

What about the caffeine though? I had been told by all my doctors to avoid chocolate because of the caffeine levels. Though I do still eat it some. Caffein is suppose to be an irritant to Fibro. Did the article address that at all?

i always feel better after a cup of coffee or some chocolate... I dont have alot of caffiene in fact it usually is only a cup of coffee or a candy bar if there is no other source of caffiene when I get bad..It helps but too much yes can irritate fibro I cant have alot.. I drink alot of water and decaf tea and ocassional coffee for the caffiene

I buy the Bakers cooking chocolate. I get the semisweet for Hubby (diabetic). He eats it one block at the time and I get German chocolate for myself.

Heba thanks for posting that. I remember reading it just had forgotten about it. Caffeine in small amounts is not bad according to my doctor..she was going to go have coffee and has a small pot in her office..I do too much I guess but then I cant do meds too well so it is more a comfort thing with me to have coffee through out the day. It is not that I drink that much I fix it and forget where I set it and make another cup..LOL.Having taken care of a lot of elderly women I have to say that chocolate does have benefits. They knew that too. I am convinced that old school stuff isnt as bad as some people think. My grandma lived to 101 and I took care of ladies who were 103 and 105. They didnt have all the pills and docs etc when they were growing up or raising familes. In fact most of what was wrong with them is they were pushed aside because they were old..SO WRONG!!!

PS about the older ladies and chocolate..the only way I found the chocolate to be a health risk was if we tried to take it from them..then OUR health was at risk.

For me , I eat it in small amounts, at the beginning of the day not near the sleep time.

Post edited by: Heba83, at: 05/22/2010 03:52 PM

I do the same Heba. Small amounts throughout the day seem to work so much better for me. A large meal is overwhelming. The sad thing is I love to cook and used to realy enjoyed it. Now a bowl of cereal sometimes seems overwhelming to fix

Just as I learned to love dark chocolate, I discovered it was a major migraine trigger for me I can eat milk chocolate but it doesn't have nearly the antioxidants as dark chocolate.

Rayne I am sorry to hear you get migranes from dark chocolate. I used to hate it but one late night shift that is all that was available and now I am hooked.

Mother used to really like it. I am a nervous wreck if I do not get coffee through out the day even in small amounts. I get terrible headaches without it.