The last month has been a difficult one for me. I have been suffering with the pain of Fibromyalgia and Arthritis. I mentioned this to my doctor and he asked if I had tried taking any fish oil? Right away my mind gave him a dirty look, the kind of stare that I give people when I distrust what they tell me. Ha, he was the crazy one and none of those home remedys for me.

But days later, when I could hardly move my back and the anti-inflammatories were like taking sugar pills I gave the fish oil suggestion a second thought. I also did some research on the web and came across something called the Cytokine Diet. I read that inflammation is a natural response to injury or infection in healthy people and is part of the normal healing process. Chronic inflammation with an altered immune system, is what researchers think cause diseases like FMS and Arthritis. Cytokines are chemical messengers in the immune system. Cytokines regulate the immune response and drive the inflammatory process. They tell cells how to respond.

And DHA Fish Oil seems to suppress certain inflammatory cytokines. So does diet. Excluding "wheat" and "milk" seems to improve symptoms of FMS in patients. Among the worst foods that cause increased inflammation in patients with FMS are wheat, yeast, milk, sugar, peanuts, corn, eggs, citrus, alcohol, caffeine and soy. I know exactly what you're thinking. These are the best foods in the world and I have to stay away from them. What's left to eat? But foods that counter cytokine inflammation are coldwater fish such as salmon, trout, mackerel, sardines, swordfish, shark, cod and halibut. These fish are beneficial because of the omega-3 fatty acids they contain. Also, fresh pineapple, fresh papaya, spinach, blueberries, strawberries and onions. Add supplements like bromelain, evening primrose oil and flax seed for their anti-inflammatory benefits.

Well, I'll try anything to get rid of the pain. So I'll just hold my nose and swallow when I down Grandma's version of good medicine, fish oil, and give up the chocolate chip cookies for some seasonal strawberries. Salmon is my favorite fish in the world. And if you've tried these remedies and find they've worked, or maybe they are more fad than anything else, drop me a line, send me a post, let me know how it worked (or didn't) for you.

-- Connie Mango, amNY.com