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10/28/2025 Your Naturopathic Guide to Fibromyalgia: A Compassionate Approach to Natural ReliefRead Now 
Living with fibromyalgia, a chronic condition that causes widespread pain to the bones and muscles, can mean lack of sleep, feelings of fatigue, and unproductivity. We understand you, and we want you to know that we have a plan. Guided by the healing power of nature, naturopathic medicine aims to help you answer the why behind your pain and guide you on how to nurture your body’s natural balance to achieve long-term pain relief. This blog post offers a glimpse about the wonders of naturopathic medicine in managing fibromyalgia and supporting your body’s optimal health and wellness.
What is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia stems from an imbalance with your body’s abilities to regulate pain, leading to intense and widespread discomfort affecting your muscles and bones. This pain may not be solitary and may be accompanied by fatigue, sleep problems, depression, and anxiety.1 Problems with pain processing in the brain may be caused by multiple factors, such as chronic inflammation, nutrient deficiencies, and environmental exposure. It may even be caused by too much stress! Naturopathic medicine views fibromyalgia not as a single disease, but as a syndrome that happens due to multiple imbalances in the body that can be targeted through a plan that focuses on whole-body wellness.
The 3 Pillars of a Naturopathic Fibromyalgia Care Plan
The naturopathic approach to fibromyalgia focuses on rebuilding and nurturing optimal health through nutrition, herbal medicine, and nervous system support. These strategies aim to target the sources of inflammation, nutrient deficiencies, and dysregulation that may have caused problems with your body’s abilities to process and manage pain.
Pillar 1: Healing with Anti-Inflammatory Foods
Becoming conscious and particular with what you eat is the first step to supporting your body’s natural balance. A lot of food available in the market today can trigger gut inflammation, but many can also prevent this inflammatory process from happening in the first place. Glutamate from your favorite cheeses or nuts is linked to inflammation, which can aggravate pain from fibromyalgia.2 On the other hand, eating plant-based food can help prevent blood sugar spikes and decrease levels of unhealthy fats and cholesterols in the body, thereby relieving pain by managing causes of inflammation.2 Additionally, gluten in the diet can increase levels of inflammatory enzymes in the body while decreasing their anti-inflammatory and pain-modulating counterparts, thereby triggering pain in people with fibromyalgia.2 By simply eliminating gluten in the diet and eating gluten-free food, you are already avoiding a powerful trigger of your pain!
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Pregnancy Warning Signs
During pregnancy, your body becomes more sensitive about what is happening within and sends out signals that could indicate a problem or distress to your baby. Knowing such signs is important because these require prompt investigation and monitoring by your healthcare provider.
- Vaginal bleeding. Even a slight sight of blood needs a thorough investigation because bleeding complications may first begin with spotting. However, it is important to understand that not all bleeding tendencies may be related to the baby, since hemorrhoids (swollen blood vessels in your rectum) may happen during pregnancy due to increasing pressure in your pelvic area from the continuous growth of the baby.
- Signs of infection. Fever and chills are signs of infections that can put you and your baby at risk during pregnancy. As such, experiencing pain while urinating may be related to urinary tract infections, a common issue in pregnancy, which can lead to complications when not adequately managed.
- Persistent vomiting. Although pregnant women may vomit every day during the first trimester, vomiting may indicate problems when it still persists after the 12th week of your pregnancy, or if it impacts your ability to eat sufficiently, because it can affect the supply of nutrients for you and your baby.
Nurturing an Optimal Pregnancy
Each pregnancy journey is unique and memorable. Hence, it is important to have a holistic health plan that nurtures the well-being of both you and your baby. The outcomes of your pregnancy are highly dependent on a good foundation that considers your unique care. At Natural Path to Wellness, your team of naturopathic medicine advisors will help you throughout this wonderful journey, offering a wide array of natural health solutions that will help your body towards a healthy pregnancy and delivery. Talk to us today!
This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your licensed naturopathic physician or other licensed healthcare provider before making changes to your medications or supplements.
Disclosures & Policies: This and other blog posts may contain affiliate links. Please view our disclosures page for more information.
REFERENCES:
This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your licensed naturopathic physician or other licensed healthcare provider before making changes to your medications or supplements.
Disclosures & Policies: This and other blog posts may contain affiliate links. Please view our disclosures page for more information.
REFERENCES:
- Ramírez SI. Prenatal Care: An Evidence-Based Approach. Am Fam Physician. 2023;108(2):139-150.
Heart disease continues to cause significant health concerns and death worldwide, plaguing morbidity and mortality charts across countries. Although some heart conditions are congenital and affect babies at birth, most heart problems are acquired and caused by infections, inflammation, and environmental effects. The good news is that the most powerful tools for nurturing your heart health and preventing alarming heart conditions are already present in nature and in your daily habits!
Naturopathic medicine nurtures heart health by focusing on prevention, applying natural and holistic solutions that consider the interconnectedness of the processes within.
Naturopathic medicine nurtures heart health by focusing on prevention, applying natural and holistic solutions that consider the interconnectedness of the processes within.
The Power of Food
Optimal heart health begins with healthy food choices. Your body, most especially your cardiovascular system, hates chronic inflammation. One of the best ways to nurture a healthy inflammatory response that does not persist and become chronic is through eating food with rich anti-inflammatory properties. By simply adding in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables in your meals, you are already one step ahead to protecting your heart against damage!
Healthy Fats
A common misconception is that too much fat consumption can increase your chances of having heart disease because it can raise cholesterol levels that eventually build-up inside your blood vessels and cause heart disease. This is only partly true. Saturated fats, in combination with inflammation, can increase bad cholesterol levels and increase plaque build-up in important blood vessels, while unsaturated fats can actually lower heart disease risks!1 This means that by simply incorporating food sources rich in unsaturated fats, such as salmon, into your meals instead of saturated fats, effectively lowers bad cholesterol levels and reduces your risks of developing atherosclerosis (plaque buildup) that can eventually damage your heart!1
Antioxidants
Both the environmental factors and internal processes can cause oxidative stress, which is a phenomenon that predisposes your body to damage and disease. Oxidative stress is caused by the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are primarily responsible in regulating cell death, as well as your body’s inflammatory response. The overproduction of ROS can actually create oxidized versions of bad cholesterol, which triggers inflammation, while at the same time cause dysfunction to blood vessels.2 Antioxidants are substances from food and herbs that can help fight off the effects of oxidative stress, thereby protecting your heart against diseases that affect its optimal functioning.
Lifestyle as the Best Medicine
Your daily habits are very powerful factors that affect your overall health, especially your cardiovascular system.
Movement
Regular exercise has been associated with reduced risks of developing heart disease and death from cardiovascular causes.3 This is because physical activity can help lower blood pressure, nurture blood sugar levels, and maintain better cholesterol balance.3 That being said, the best form of exercise is dependent on your preferences because consistency is very important. Taking everyday walks, enrolling in dance classes, or practicing yoga are few of many routines that foster movement and heart health.
Sleep
Having restful sleep at night is as important as practicing movement during the day. Sleep is very important in regulating processes within the body and should not be taken for granted. Lack of sleep can trigger inflammation and increase your risks of developing acquired heart diseases. To learn more about the benefits of a good snooze and what you can do to achieve this, we have the perfect blog post for you!
Nature’s Cure
Supplementing your food and lifestyle choices with essential nutrients and botanical herbs can help boost heart health and protect it against damage.
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Supplements
Magnesium and fish oil are two supplements that can be taken every day to nurture optimal heart health. Magnesium helps nurture a healthy heart rhythm, while fish oil (rich in omega-3) is rich in anti-inflammatory properties that help nurture cholesterol levels.
Botanical Medicine
Hawthorn (Crataegus sp.) is a medicinal plant that has centuries worth of evidence of its wonders for heart health. The plant contains bioactive components that can help regulate blood pressure, blood sugar levels, oxidative stress, and cholesterol levels.4 The primary mechanism that causes heart disease worldwide is atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in your blood vessels). Hawthorn is effective in preventing the development of this harmful process because it contains high amounts of flavonoids and polyphenols, which are compounds that help decrease the absorption of lipids from food and synthesis of cholesterol in the liver, thereby preventing the formation of plaque that eventually leads to buildup.4
The Naturopathic Approach
Naturopathic care focuses on nurturing optimal health through preventing and targeting the root cause behind your health problems, not just managing your symptoms. It is a philosophy that uses the healing power of nature to protect and heal your body from within. At Natural Path to Wellness, your team of naturopathic care advisors will help you discover the best natural and holistic options for your long-term health, ensuring the uniqueness and interconnectedness of your organ systems are nurtured, especially the major pump that delivers blood and nutrients to your cells! Talk to us today!
It is important to remember that the use of herbs for your health and wellness is best explored with your healthcare provider or naturopathic doctor. Most herbs are contraindicated during pregnancy and in special populations. Hence, talking to your healthcare provider or naturopathic doctor will help you discover the best herbal remedies for your unique case and preferences and at the same time prevent health risks that may be associated with its misuse or ineligibility.
It is important to remember that the use of herbs for your health and wellness is best explored with your healthcare provider or naturopathic doctor. Most herbs are contraindicated during pregnancy and in special populations. Hence, talking to your healthcare provider or naturopathic doctor will help you discover the best herbal remedies for your unique case and preferences and at the same time prevent health risks that may be associated with its misuse or ineligibility.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your licensed naturopathic physician or other licensed healthcare provider before making changes to your medications or supplements.
Disclosures & Policies: This and other blog posts may contain affiliate links. Please view our disclosures page for more information.
REFERENCES:
This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your licensed naturopathic physician or other licensed healthcare provider before making changes to your medications or supplements.
Disclosures & Policies: This and other blog posts may contain affiliate links. Please view our disclosures page for more information.
REFERENCES:
- Sacks FM, Lichtenstein AH, Wu JHY, et al. Dietary Fats and Cardiovascular Disease: A Presidential Advisory From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2017;136(3):e1-e23. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000510
- Młynarska E, Hajdys J, Czarnik W, et al. The Role of Antioxidants in the Therapy of Cardiovascular Diseases-A Literature Review. Nutrients. 2024;16(16):2587. Published 2024 Aug 6. doi:10.3390/nu16162587
- Nystoriak MA, Bhatnagar A. Cardiovascular Effects and Benefits of Exercise. Front Cardiovasc Med. 2018;5:135. Published 2018 Sep 28. doi:10.3389/fcvm.2018.00135
- Wu M, Liu L, Xing Y, Yang S, Li H, Cao Y. Roles and Mechanisms of Hawthorn and Its Extracts on Atherosclerosis: A Review. Front Pharmacol. 2020;11:118. Published 2020 Feb 21. doi:10.3389/fphar.2020.00118
Stress is a phenomenon that we encounter everyday. From your work commute to deadlines and responsibilities at home, a day rarely goes by without having feelings of stress. However, stress does not only come from external sources. Stressors are actually present within the body! Healthy levels of stress act like a fuel that boosts processes within the body. Chronic stress, however, can cause more damage than good. This damage does not only affect your emotional well-being, but it can also affect the regulatory processes that keep your body strong and healthy. As such, stress within the body can cause you to experience hair loss. The tricky part is that this can happen even when you feel emotionally well and mentally calm! In this blog post, we will help you discover three different stressors in the body that can trigger hair loss.
How Stress Affects Hair Growth
Your hair is considered as your crowning glory. Not only is it most abundant in the highest part of the body, but it is also one of the first features that people around you will see. Each strand of hair has two structural components: the hair shaft and hair follicle. The hair shaft is found above the most superficial layer of your skin and is considered a non-living structure. This may be the reason why a lot of people think that hair is dead. While partly correct, the major part of your hair is actually under the skin: your hair follicles. Your hair undergoes a natural cycle, where it grows and sheds. This cycle is regulated by multiple factors and processes within the body. The primary structure needed for this cycle to happen is the hair follicle, which is important in regulating temperature and sensing the environment.1 Hair loss happens when your hair follicles are damaged by stress, hormonal problems, or unregulated inflammation, which affect the balance between the growth and shedding of hair.1
Hidden Stressor #1: High Cortisol Levels
Stress signals your adrenal glands to synthesize cholesterol, which plays a major role in regulating processes within the body. This hormone is regulated by the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which consists of corticotropin-releasing hormones (CRH) produced by the hypothalamus and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) from the anterior pituitary gland. Cortisol, in high amounts, can affect the formation and breakdown of proteins that regulate the activities of your hair follicles.2 These special proteins, known as proteoglycans, are essential in nurturing the abilities of your hair follicles to facilitate the natural cycle of hair growth and shedding. Additionally, the elongation of your hair shaft, which is important in maintaining long and strong hair strands, can be inhibited by the activation of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), which happens in response to stress.
Naturopathic Solution
A counterregulatory chemical that can help counteract the effects of cortisol in the body is y-aminobutyric acid (GABA). This powerful chemical that is naturally present in the body helps minimize the secretion of CRH, thereby preventing hormonal changes and hair follicle damage associated with high levels of cortisol. The good news is nature is also rich in GABA! Natural sources of this essential chemical includes fermented milk products, barley, beans, and even brown rice!3 Additionally, supplements rich in vitamin B6, folic acid, vitamin B12, and the mineral lithium can help promote the production of GABA in the body.3 Interestingly, yoga has been shown to nurture the concentration of GABA in the brain, helping to regulate stress levels and prevent the consequences of too much cortisol to the body (especially to your hair).
Hidden Stressor #2: Gut Inflammation
Inflammation in the gastrointestinal system caused by dysbiosis, which is an imbalance of good and bad bacteria in the gut, can affect the absorption of nutrients from the food you eat. Once your body is unable to properly absorb essential nutrients for hair growth, thinning and eventually hair loss can ensue. To learn more about the importance of nurturing your intestinal lining, we have the perfect blog post for you!
Naturopathic Solution
Becoming conscious of the food you eat is the first step in preventing the development of inflammation that can lead to hair loss. Optimizing your food choices and incorporating anti-inflammatory foods into your meals can help nurture the balance that nurtures the overall health of your gut. Probiotics are good adjuncts to achieve your goal. Specifically, Lactobacillus reuteri, helps nurture the growth phase of your hair and increase the number of hair follicles leading to thick and silky hair strands.4 This wonderful probiotic also prevents inflammation by promoting the effects of anti-inflammatory modulators that are naturally present in the body.
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Hidden Stressor #3: Unaddressed Nutrient Deficiencies
A major source of stress that comes from within happens when your body is not able to receive key vitamins and minerals it needs to function optimally. These nutrients act as raw materials that help nourish and nurture growth and function. Because your hair follicles act as tiny factories that produce and grow strands of hair, they need these raw materials to actually get their job done! Once these essential factors are missing or lacking, production and growth will eventually be suboptimal or even completely stop. Iron, zinc, biotin, and vitamin B12 make up a great bulk of these raw materials and optimal levels of these nutrients should be maintained to nurture hair production and growth.
Naturopathic Solution
Nurturing adequate levels of essential nutrients in the body is the single best step to prevent this hidden stressor. This can be done through incorporating ingredients that are rich in vitamins and minerals to your meals, such as green-leafy vegetables and seeds. Additionally, supplements containing iron, zinc, biotin, and vitamin B12 can help boost the levels of these nutrients in the body!
It is important to remember that supplements are only adjuncts to nurture optimal levels of specific nutrients in the body and should not be used as a primary source to gain these nutrients. Ultimately, natural, whole foods are your best source of nutrients. That being said, taking a blood test that screens for nutrient deficiencies under the guidance of your healthcare provider can help identify which nutrient needs supplementation and support.
The unmonitored use of supplements can lead to health risks and harm your hair.5 Specifically, the oversupplementation of vitamin A, vitamin E, and selenium can cause hair loss!5
It is important to remember that supplements are only adjuncts to nurture optimal levels of specific nutrients in the body and should not be used as a primary source to gain these nutrients. Ultimately, natural, whole foods are your best source of nutrients. That being said, taking a blood test that screens for nutrient deficiencies under the guidance of your healthcare provider can help identify which nutrient needs supplementation and support.
The unmonitored use of supplements can lead to health risks and harm your hair.5 Specifically, the oversupplementation of vitamin A, vitamin E, and selenium can cause hair loss!5
The Naturopathic Approach
The health of your hair reflects balance within. Disruptions in this balance caused by external and internal stressors can affect the natural hair growth cycle, leading to hair loss and unhealthy hair. At Natural Path to Wellness, your team of naturopathic medicine advisors will help you discover the best natural options that support the natural growth of your hair through optimizing nutrition, supplementation, and mind-body techniques. Talk to us today!
This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your licensed naturopathic physician or other licensed healthcare provider before making changes to your medications or supplements.
Disclosures & Policies: This and other blog posts may contain affiliate links. Please view our disclosures page for more information.
REFERENCES:
- Du F, Li J, Zhang S, Zeng X, Nie J, Li Z. Oxidative stress in hair follicle development and hair growth: Signalling pathways, intervening mechanisms and potential of natural antioxidants. J Cell Mol Med. 2024;28(12):e18486. doi:10.1111/jcmm.18486
- Hasan R, Juma H, Eid FA, Alaswad HA, Ali WM, Aladraj FJ. Effects of Hormones and Endocrine Disorders on Hair Growth. Cureus. 2022;14(12):e32726. Published 2022 Dec 20. doi:10.7759/cureus.32726
- Stachowicz M, Lebiedzińska A. The effect of diet components on the level of cortisol. European Food Research and Technology. 2016;242(12):2001-2009. doi:10.1007/s00217-016-2772-3
- Carrington AE, Maloh J, Nong Y, Agbai ON, Bodemer AA, Sivamani RK. The Gut and Skin Microbiome in Alopecia: Associations and Interventions. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2023;16(10):59-64
- Guo EL, Katta R. Diet and hair loss: effects of nutrient deficiency and supplement use. Dermatol Pract Concept. 2017;7(1):1-10. Published 2017 Jan 31. doi:10.5826/dpc.0701a01
THE BLOG AT NATURAL PATH TO WELLNESS
AuthorS
Natural Path to Wellness values community education and welcomes contributions from writers with a background in Naturopathic Medicine, natural health and wellness, herbalism, homeopathy, Nature Cure, and more.
Medical Reviewer:
Marney Johnson, ND, MSCI-TS is a Naturopathic Doctor and Naturopathic Medicine Advisor with a background in allopathic (standard American medicine) medical research, Dr. Johnson, is uniquely qualified to evaluate current scientific research and offer insight to help you make sense of how you can integrate natural medicine into your health plan. She is passionate about the roles of Nutrition, Lifestyle, and Nature in health and constantly seeks new ways to make these accessible through food as medicine, encouraging new, healthy habits, and promoting interaction with Nature in its many forms.
Disclosures & Policies: This and other blog posts may contain affiliate links. Please view our disclosures page for more information.
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