Nutritional Interventions in the Management of Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Abstract

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a multifactorial syndrome of unknown etiology, characterized by widespread chronic pain and various somatic and psychological manifestations. The management of FM requires a multidisciplinary approach combining both pharmacological and nonpharmacological strategies. Among nonpharmacological strategies, growing evidence suggests a potential beneficial role for nutrition. This review summarizes the possible relationship between FM and nutrition, exploring the available evidence on the effect of dietary supplements and dietary interventions in these patients. Analysis of the literature has shown that the role of dietary supplements remains controversial, although clinical trials with vitamin D, magnesium, iron and probiotics’ supplementation show promising results. With regard to dietary interventions, the administration of olive oil, the replacement diet with ancient grains, low-calorie diets, the low FODMAPs diet, the gluten-free diet, the monosodium glutamate and aspartame-free diet, vegetarian diets as well as the Mediterranean diet all appear to be effective in reducing the FM symptoms. These results may suggest that weight loss, together with the psychosomatic component of the disease, should be taken into account. Therefore, although dietary aspects appear to be a promising complementary approach to the treatment of FM, further research is needed to provide the most effective strategies for the management of FM.

Food environment as a healthy lifestyle factor

“…There is an increasing evidence in the nutritional literature and authoritative reports about the concept of ultra-processed foods (UPF), recognized as an unhealthy diet. The evidence proves that high consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) has a positive connection between UPFs consumption and the risk of multiple health effects, determined by an increase in non-communicable diseases, overweight and obesity [6,7].…”

Dietary Intake Assessment, Severity of Symptoms, and Pain in Women with Fibromyalgia

“…Along the same lines, a systematic review concluded that pain and functional repercussion in FMS patients seem to improve with a hypocaloric diet, a raw vegetarian diet, or a low FODMAP diet, as much as quality of life, quality of sleep, anxiety, and depression and inflammatory biomarkers (Silva et al, 2019). Interestingly, another recent review indicated that, although the role of dietary supplements with vitamin D, magnesium, iron, and probiotic supplementation remains controversial, clinical trials show promising results (Pagliai et al, 2020). Furthermore, intervention based on the administration of olive oil, the replacement diet with ancient grains, low-calorie diets, the low FODMAP diet, the gluten-free, monosodium glutamate and aspartame-free, vegetarian, and Mediterranean diets all appear to be effective in reducing FMS symptoms (Pagliai et al, 2020).…”

“…Currently, the management of FMS patients includes comprehensive assessment, goal setting, multimodal treatment including pharmacological and nonpharmacological therapies such as physical activity, behavioral therapy, sleep hygiene, dietary advice, and education regarding the disease and treatment approaches (Arnold et al, 2012;García-Ríos et al, 2019). It has been recently proposed that adherence to a healthy diet might be a promising strategy to improve FMS symptoms (Kaartinen et al, 2000;Lowry et al, 2020;Pagliai et al, 2020;Rossi et al, 2015;Ruiz-Cabello et al, 2017). Inflammation and oxidative stress are the main pathophysiological pathways of chronic pain and therefore a treatment program could include nutritional protocols to reduce the pro-inflammatory state and thereby alleviate pain (Dragan et al, 2020;Seaman, 2002).…”

Resultados de una intervención psicoeducativa interdisciplinar con EMDR en pacientes con fibromialgia: experiencia de un centro privado

“…En la sesión de la unidad de sueño se destacó la importancia del sueño reparador, la higiene y trastornos del mismo, las relaciones existentes entre sueño y percepción del dolor, entre calidad de sueño y alivio sintomático y, además, se informó sobre algunos tratamientos comunes (fitoterapia y melatonina) (20). Finalmente, la intervención nutricional subrayó el valor de la dieta equilibrada en la FM, el potencial antinflamatorio de la dieta mediterránea e incluyó recomendaciones específicas (intolerancias, sobrepeso, estreñimiento y reflujo gastroesofágico) (21).…”