Complementary and Alternative Therapies-Nutrition and Supplements

Nutrition and Supplements

Following these nutritional tips may help reduce symptoms:

* Try to eliminate potential food allergens, including dairy
(milk, cheese, butter), wheat (gluten), corn, soy, preservatives, and food additives. Your health care provider may want to test for food sensitivities.
* Eat antioxidant foods, including fruits (such as blueberries,
cherries, and tomatoes) and vegetables (such as kale, spinach, and
bell peppers).
* Avoid refined foods, such as white breads, pastas, and sugar.
* Eat fewer red meats and more lean meats, cold-water fish, tofu
(soy, if no allergy) or beans for protein.
* Use healthy cooking oils, such as olive oil or vegetable oil.
* Reduce or eliminate trans-fatty acids, found in such commercially baked goods as cookies, crackers, cakes, French fries, onion rings, donuts, processed foods, and margarine.
* Avoid coffee and other stimulants, alcohol, and tobacco.
* Drink 6 - 8 glasses of filtered water daily.
* Exercise lightly, if possible, 5 days a week.

You may address nutritional deficiencies with the following supplements:

* A multivitamin daily, containing the antioxidant vitamins A, C, E, the B-complex vitamins and trace minerals such as magnesium, calcium, zinc, and selenium.
* Probiotic supplement (containing Lactobacillus acidophilus), 5 - 10 billion CFUs (colony forming units) a day, for maintenance of gastrointestinal and immune health. You should refrigerate your probiotic supplements for best results.
* Omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish oil, 1 - 2 capsules or 1 tbsp. of oil one to two times daily, to help decrease inflammation. Cold-water fish, such as salmon or halibut, are good sources.
* Vitamin C, 500 - 1,000 mg one to two times daily, as an antioxidant.
* L-theanine, 200 mg one to three times daily, for nervous system support.

University of Maryland Medical Center