Fibromyalgia: Special Diet Not Necessary

Patients with fibromyalgia often suffer greatly from their disease. Since there are different treatment approaches, but no uniform therapy concept, many patients wish they could do something themselves. The Internet is often the first port of call. Here, numerous tips and advice can be found, which often deal with the topic of nutrition. From recipes about “forbidden” foods to “healing through diet” – many guides promise relief through a change in diet. However no scientifically secured realizations about the effect of the nutrition with Fibromyalgie do not exist. Affected persons should therefore read such recommendations critically and, if in doubt, ask their doctor for advice.

Multimodal therapy for fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia syndrome is a chronic disease in which, in addition to pain in various parts of the body, numerous other symptoms such as sleep disorders, depression, or complaints in the gastrointestinal tract can occur. The causes of fibromyalgia are largely unknown and a complete cure is not possible. Treatment often relies on so-called “multimodal therapy,” which includes physical training combined with relaxation therapy and psychotherapeutic procedures. Medications such as painkillers or antidepressants may be used temporarily in this process.

No evidence for influence of diet

While the effectiveness of physical training and exercise therapy has been clearly demonstrated scientifically, reliable data from studies have been lacking for an influence of diet in treating fibromyalgia. Although a few small studies have been conducted to investigate the effect of various diets on symptoms in patients with fibromyalgia, the results did not provide reliable evidence. However, the results did not provide reliable evidence of an effect, so the guideline for the treatment of fibromyalgia does not recommend a specific diet.

Dietary supplements not recommended

Fibromyalgia patients are often advised to take dietary supplements containing vitamins, L-carnitine, or magnesium. Here, however, experts agree that no positive effect on the symptoms of fibromyalgia is to be expected. In addition, certain dietary supplement preparations can have side effects or be accidentally overdosed. You should therefore not take dietary supplements independently, but only after consulting your doctor – for example, if a vitamin deficiency has been detected in you by a blood test.

Fibromyalgia: vegetarian diet may help

Sufferers also often read recommendations to eat a vegetarian or vegan diet. In fact, two studies have been conducted in which pain relief was observed in patients on a vegetarian diet: In one study, the effect of a vegetarian diet was compared with the active ingredient amitriptyline. Here, however, amitriptyline had a stronger pain-relieving effect than the diet. In another study, some of the patients ate a low-salt vegetarian raw food diet and were compared with a control group of patients who did not change their diet. A positive effect of dietary change on symptoms was observed.

Testing for intolerances may be useful

Another common piece of advice for fibromyalgia patients is to avoid certain foods, such as sugar. Regarding such general prohibitions, no studies exist that have examined efficacy in fibromyalgia. However, in an American study, a food intolerance test was performed on a group of patients and, based on the results, a dietary program was established with avoidance of certain food components such as gluten. In contrast to the control group without dietary changes, patients in the first group reported a reduction in pain by half.

Study results to be viewed critically

To interpret these results correctly, however, one must look more closely at the design of the studies: In the American study, the two groups compared consisted of 40 and 11 patients, respectively. In the two studies on vegetarian diets, the number of participating patients was similarly small.However, one factor that contributes to the results of a study being able to lead to scientific evidence and thus to generally valid recommendations is a sufficiently large number of test subjects. Therefore, at best, the research results to date can only provide indications of a possible influence of the dietary forms studied on the symptoms of fibromyalgia.

Trying out what does good

Nevertheless, many patients report positive experiences with a change in diet. Sufferers may well benefit from a change in their eating habits or from avoiding certain foods. However, there is no universal eating plan or “right” food and drink for fibromyalgia. Rather, each patient must test for themselves what is good for them culinary-wise. Extreme forms of nutrition such as low-salt, vegetarian raw foods or vegan diets, however, carry the risk of an undersupply of nutrients. So to do their health some good, fibromyalgia patients – like all other people – should pay attention to a healthy, balanced diet, which may include sugar and animal products in moderation.