Eat less inflammatory foods to reduce fibromyalgia pain

A pro-inflammatory diet has been associated with fibromyalgia pain in a recent Pain Medicine study.

Researchers analysed the relationship between an anti-inflammatory diet and the pressure pain thresholds of tender point sites and other fibromyalgia symptoms in 95 women with fibromyalgia, comparing them to 98 women of a similar age.

Diet did not impact on disease severity, fatigue or sleep anxiety, but it did seem to have a bearing on pain. Pressure pain thresholds of tender point sites all around the body were associated with higher intake of foods that are “inflammatory” in the women with fibromyalgia, the experts explain:

“A pro-inflammatory diet was associated with pain hypersensitivity in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome.”

Pro-inflammatory diet: High in red meat, high-fat dairy products, trans fats (found in fried foods), refined grains and simple carbohydrates.

Low-inflammatory diet: High in fruits and vegetables, fibre, fish, nuts and seeds.

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