Fibromyalgia syndrome is a condition that causes patients to experience widespread musculoskeletal pain and fatigue.

Asides from pain symptoms, patients also tend to experience things like mood issues, memory problems, etc. Symptoms tend to vary in fibromyalgia patients.

Fibromyalgia symptoms can seriously affect the quality of life of patients, and if it’s not properly taken care of, it can lead to even worse symptoms.

There is no exact cure for fibromyalgia, but there are certain treatment procedures that can be employed to ease fibromyalgia symptoms.

In this article, we’ll be talking about some dietary changes that need to be made to prevent fibromyalgia symptoms from getting worse.

Foods that can worsen Fibromyalgia symptoms

There are certain foods that people with fibromyalgia need to avoid in order to prevent worsening symptoms like fibromyalgia pain, food sensitivities, etc. The following are some of the foods to avoid:

Processed Foods

Many processed foods (which include tinned vegetables, savoury snacks, and breakfast cereals) contain sugar and unhealthy fats, and these things can cause inflammation in the body and increase a patient’s risk of developing inflammatory diseases.

Furthermore, processed foods are devoid of some fibers and the nutritional value that are naturally present in non-processed foods and they contain certain preservatives and flavorings that can trigger food sensitivities.

They also contain food additives like monosodium glutamate (a common form of dietary glutamate) which can increase pain in most patients.

Alcohol

Even though some research has found that moderate use of alcohol can help reduce symptoms in patients, people with fibromyalgia are always advised to shy away from drinking alcohol in excess quantity as it can also trigger inflammation and it can cause harmful interactions with some of the medications prescribed to ease symptoms.

Refined Carbohydrates

Refined carbohydrates like white rice and bread tend to digest quickly, causing blood sugar levels to temporarily spike in the process.

After the blood sugar levels drop, it causes immediate hunger which can make the fibromyalgia pain and fatigue worse.

A recent study also found that reducing the intake of certain carbohydrate products can cause a reduction in irritable bowel symptoms, and pain and can also reduce fatigue.

Unhealthy Fats

It is advisable for fibromyalgia patients to avoid vegetable oils like peanut oil, corn oil and coconut oil because they have inflammatory effects, especially in fried foods. In general, patients with fibromyalgia should avoid foods that contain unhealthy oils.

Caffeine

Taking caffeine in order to reduce fatigue can deprive patients of proper sleep which can make the fatigue worse. It might have no effect in minute quantities, but it excessive caffeine intake can worsen symptoms.

Dairy Products

Many patients experience bloating and gas after consuming dairy foods. Cutting back on dairy products can help reduce symptoms in most patients.

Gluten

Some studies have shown that non-celiac gluten sensitivity might be one of the causes of fibromyalgia. Staying away from gluten-filled diets can bring about a decrease in symptoms such as pain

Sugary Foods

Reducing the rate of eating foods high in sugar and artificial sweeteners can significantly help reduce fibromyalgia pain. Limiting sugar intake can also help with weight loss.

Having too much weight contributes to the amount of fat present in the body, and this can cause inflammation in some cases.

Foods that can help relieve fibromyalgia symptoms

We’ve discussed some of the foods to avoid, now it’s to time to talk about some foods that can help relieve symptoms in patients.

Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

One common way of combating symptoms of fibromyalgia is by regular consumption of fruits and vegetables. This is because they contain antioxidants and vitamins that can help fight free radicals and help maintain the body in a healthy state.

Fruits and vegetables are low in calories and contain no flavor enhancer or additive that can cause harm to patients.

Studies have also shown that following vegan or vegetarian diets can help decrease inflammation in patients who have fibromyalgia.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids

These types of foods are known for their anti-inflammatory effects. Omega-3s can help patients with pain relief.

Examples include nuts, dark green vegetables, cold-water fish like Salmon, Sardines, and Fatty fish

Lean Proteins

Increasing the intake of protein-filled meals can help prevent blood glucose levels from fluctuating. They also help keep cholesterol levels in a healthy range. Proteins generally help with the overall health of the body.

These are just some of the foods that are beneficial to fibromyalgia patients. Some other foods that should be considered include whole grains, foods that contain vitamin D, whole wheat, fiber, etc.

As a Fibromyalgia patient, it is advisable to keep a food diary that can be used to track how the body reacts to certain foods. This can help patients identify the foods to avoid and the ones that can help increase their quality of life.

Just as there is no one cure for treating fibromyalgia, it is impossible to find one fibromyalgia diet that will work for everyone with fibromyalgia. Patients should seek out professional medical advice in order to figure out a fibromyalgia diet that works for them.

Most of the time, any anti-inflammatory diet should do for anyone who experiences chronic pain disorder.

In general, the need of having a healthy diet cannot be overemphasized. Having a balanced diet comes with many benefits that even people who do not have fibromyalgia syndrome need.