Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition that can be difficult to control. Although there is no cure for fibromyalgia, a healthy diet and lifestyle can help reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.
Eating a nutritious diet, rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and essential fatty acids, can help reduce inflammation, improve energy levels, and increase pain tolerance. In addition, certain foods may play a role in relieving specific symptoms associated with fibromyalgia, such as fatigue, muscle aches and irritable bowel syndrome.
In this post, we will explore the role of food and nutrition in fibromyalgia control and discuss some simple diet changes that can help improve overall health and reduce the symptoms of fibromyalgia.
Introduction
Fibromyalgia is defined as a chronic rheumatic syndrome, characterized by generalized musculoskeletal pain, whose symptoms involve headache, fatigue, mood disorders, sleep disorders, depression, among others.
Fibromyalgia disease predominantly in women between 20 and 50 years, reaching about 2.5% of the Brazilian population.
The diagnosis of fibromyalgia is essentially clinical, and there is no laboratory tests that prove the disease so far.
Treatment is multidisciplinary, including pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies, with the aim of relieving chronic pain and providing quality of life and well-being to patients.
GOOD FOOD PAPER
Good diet plays an essential role in controlling the symptoms of chronic diseases. In the case of fibromyalgia, studies reveal that nutrition also has an impact and can positively influence the relief of symptoms of the disease[1]Arranz LI, Canela MÁ, Rafecas M. Dietary aspects in fibromyalgia patients: results of a survey on food awareness, allergies, and nutritional supplementation. Rheumatology international. 2012 … Continue reading.
For example, people with fibromyalgia suffer from sleep disorders, so caffeine presents itself as a factor that further impairs this condition. Therefore, avoiding caffeine consumption can improve the sleep conditions of patients with fibromyalgia.
Studies on Food and Chronic Pain
Food is so associated with quality of life that certain diets can aggravate pain sensitivity in people with fibromyalgia.
In 2020, a study published in the magazine Pain Medicine It classified two divergent styles of diet, one of them being the anti-inflammatory diet, which covers foods that naturally fight inflammatory processes in the body, such as red fruits, vegetables, olive oil and nuts, and proinflammatory diet, in which cytokines present in foods triggers characteristic clinical processes, such as pain, fatigue and anxiety.[2]Field R, Pourkazemi F, Turton J, Rooney K. Dietary interventions are beneficial for patients with chronic pain: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Pain Medicine. 2021 Mar;22(3):694-714..
The study states that diet -related inflammatory potential is associated with the aggravation of symptoms of the disease. In addition, including a vegan diet rich in lactobacteria, or a rigorous diet with low salt content, provides beneficial effects on these symptoms. So people who suffer from fibromyalgia should promote anti-inflammatory diet strategies to reduce pain hypersensitivity[3]Arranz LI, Canela MÁ, Rafecas M. Fibromyalgia and nutrition, what do we know?. Rheumatology international. 2010 Sep;30(11):1417-27.
Fibromyalgia Video
Vitamins, minerals and chronic pain
Low food intake and vitamin deficiency in the diet, such as magnesium and calcium, are related to the worsening chronic pain of fibromyalgia, since the manifestations of the disease are similar to the symptoms of the deficiency of these minerals.[4]Edwards AM, Blackburn L, Christie S, Townsend S, David J. Food supplements in the treatment of primary fibromyalgia: a double-blind, crossover trial of anthocyanidins and placebo. Journal of … Continue reading.
A study that proves this fact is published in the journal Advances in Rheumatologywhere 53 women diagnosed with fibromyalgia and 50 healthy women participated in experimental research to determine food intake and serum magnesium and calcium levels and relate them to symptoms and risk of depression in women with and without the disease.
The results of this research showed that in the group of women with fibromyalgia, the higher the magnesium and calcium intake, the lower the point count sensitive to the body. Thus, these minerals play an important role in the symptoms of fibromyalgia, and their ingestion is advisable through food or supplements.
Patients with fibromyalgia should do balanced and nutritious meals, maintain good hydration, consume multi -manned and nutritional supplements when necessary for treatment. The emphasis on vitamins happens, as they are usually cofactors that help enzymes in the use of fundamental nutrients.
Each vitamin necessary for the body somehow influences the improvement of fibromyalgia symptoms. B vitamins reduce stress. Vitamin D influences calcium absorption. Zinc improves the function of nervous and muscular tissues. Magnesium reduces fatigue and can prevent muscle cramps.
| Vitamin | Chronic pain benefits |
|---|---|
| Vitamin B1 | It can help reduce nerve pain and reduce the effects of some nerve damage. |
| Vitamina B6 | It can help reduce inflammation and improve nerve function. |
| Vitamina B12 | It can help reduce nerve pain and improve nerve conduction. |
| Vitamina C | It can help reduce inflammation and improve tissue healing. |
| Vitamin d | It can help reduce inflammation and reduce pain. |
| Vitamin E | It can help reduce inflammation and reduce pain. |
Consumption of cold water fish, salmon oil and primula oil can influence blood flow and transmission of nervous impulse. Lecitin has a function in nervous and muscular tissues, in the brain and circulatory system. Methylsulphonylmethane (MSM), a natural compound of organic sulfur, is able to reduce joint pain.
Glutamine can improve muscle and procianidolic oligomer (PCO) function is known to protect muscles.
Gastrointestinal and fibromyalgia changes
Fibromyalgia patients also often have gastrointestinal problems, usually attributed to irritable bowel syndrome and gluten -related disorders such as celiac disease.
Even chronic fatigue syndrome, which is one of the symptoms of fibromyalgia, can be aggravated by gluten sensitivity.
| Symptom | Description |
|---|---|
| Abdominal pain | Pain in the abdomen, which may vary from mild to severe. |
| Swelling | Feeling of fullness or tightness in the abdomen caused by gases or swelling. |
| Constipation | Difficulty or uncommon evacuation. |
| Diarrhea | Frequent loose or watery stools. |
| Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) | A condition in which stomach acid flows back to the esophagus, causing heartburn and other symptoms. |
| Nausea | Feeling of being sick or desire to vomit. |
| Vomiting | Vomiting is the involuntary contraction of the stomach that pushes its content out of the mouth. |
A gluten -free diet with integral grain intake, increasing vegetables and reducing food energy density can help improve the symptoms of these gastrointestinal problems and, consequently, reduce or soften the symptoms of fibromyalgia.
Weight, cholesterol and lifestyle in fibromyalgia
Some scholars in the area have also proven that high cholesterol is associated with the longer pain duration, with sensitive points, anxiety and depression resulting from fibromyalgia.
These evidence is important to determine that fibromyalgia patients should modify their lifestyle with a healthier and more appropriate diet, added from a physical exercise strategies program, as body mass index (BMI) and obesity are related to the worsening of fibromyalgia symptoms.
The increased BMI has a great influence on sleep quality and hyperalgesia, which in turn can complicate the clinical picture of those who have fibromyalgia, as these patients tend to have higher levels of pain, fatigue and rigidity as well as less vitality.
Other supplements, such as coenzyme Q10
Scientific evidence also indicate that coenzyme supplementation Q10 (COQ10) induces increased mitochondrial biogenesis and protein expression levels. Fibromyalgia patients have mitochondrial dysfunction, so COQ10 treatment can be used as an alternative therapy on fibromyalgia and their beneficial effects can be monitored at the cellular level.
Some research reveals that this supplementation has improved sleep and mental alertness, reduced joint pain and sensitive points, and improved fatigue and anxiety in patients with fibromyalgia.
However, studies involving COQ10 supplementation involved a small sample in patients with the disease, so further clarification on this mechanism of action linked to COQ10 contributions to pathological and therapeutic processes.
| Coenzyme Q10 Benefit for Fibromyalgia |
|---|
| Reduces fatigue and pain |
| Improves sleep quality |
| Increases energy levels |
| Reduces muscle stiffness |
| Improves cognitive functioning |
| Improves humor |
| Promotes healthy cell metabolism |
| Improves heart health |
| Reduces inflammation |
If you suffer from fibromyalgia, modify your dietary diet for healthier habits combined with regular exercise, are effective non-pharmacological treatment for symptom improvement and, consequently, improved quality of life and well-being!
References
ANDRETTA, A. et al. Relation between magnesium and calcium and parameters of pain, quality of life and depression in women with fibromyalgia. Advances in Rheumatologyv. 59, n. 1, p. 1-6. 2019.
CORREA-RODRÍGUEZ, M. et al. Dietary inflammatory index scores are associated with pressure pain hypersensitivity in women with fibromyalgia. Pain Medicinev. 21, n. 3, p. 586-594. 2020.
Jatobá, dm food as supporting treatment for people with fibromyalgia: an integrative review. Electronic Journal Collection Healthv. 15, n. 1, p. 1-11. 2022. SILVA, AF Nutritional recommendations for the treatment of fibromyalgia. Demetra: Food, Nutrition and Healthv. 12, n. 3, p. 751-765. 2017.
Source: blogdasaude.com.br