Vegan and low FODMAP diets improve fibromyalgia symptoms says review

Some of the pain experienced by people with fibromyalgia could be alleviated by following a vegan diet or one that is low in fermentable carbohydrate (the low FODMAP diet), experts report in the European Journal of Pain.

As fibromyalgia is difficult to treat, people affected often look for alternative forms of treatment, including modifying their diet and lifestyle. But can this actually make a difference to symptoms?

A team from the UK decided to review the evidence to find out, looking at 22 relevant studies. They found that pain measures were improved by:

• Vegan diets;
• Low FODMAP diets;
• Supplementing the diet with Chlorella green algae, coenzyme Q10, acetyl-l-carnitine or a combination of vitamin C and E.  

Although many of the studies were not well designed, the review is food for thought. Remember that if moving towards a vegan or low FODMAP diet it is always worth talking to a dietitian first to ensure your intake of essential nutrients remains adequate.

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