Fibromyalgia and Food Intolerances: Understanding the Link

Food intolerances and digestive problems may seem unrelated to the muscle and joint pain of fibromyalgia. Yet gastrointestinal (GI) problems are common signs of fibromyalgia, and people with fibromyalgia frequently get symptom relief by eliminating certain foods.

Despite a clear connection between food choices and fibromyalgia, the exact link — how one is related to the other — has more than one possible explanation.

The Centers for Pain Control & Vein Care team offers exceptional care for fibromyalgia at their offices in Hobart, LaPorte, Munster, Valparaiso, and Merrillville, Indiana. We understand that optimal symptom relief for this incurable condition depends on a multifaceted approach, including diet and nutrition.

Here, we explain the possible connections between food and fibromyalgia and the role of nutritional deficiencies and diets.

Food intolerances and fibromyalgia

Some people with fibromyalgia get tested for food intolerances. If they test positive, they remove the specific food and their symptoms improve (to some extent, the improvement is different for each person).

Others just eliminate certain foods to discover if their symptoms improve. Even without testing, they determine there’s a link between what they eat and their symptoms.

It sounds like a straightforward cause and effect. And there’s no doubt that food intolerances may have a role in fibromyalgia. But the exact connection hasn’t been identified.

Additionally, untangling the relationship is complicated by the fact that food intolerances, fibromyalgia, and gastrointestinal problems, which frequently affect those with fibromyalgia, share similar symptoms.

Food intolerances alone can mimic fibromyalgia, causing problems like brain fog, fatigue, and joint and muscle pain.

An estimated 32% to 81% of people with fibromyalgia also have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IBS and food intolerances cause similar GI symptoms, such as:

• Bloating
• Nausea
• Abdominal pain and cramping
• Diarrhea or constipation

Additionally, IBS alone may mimic fibromyalgia. Both conditions flare up in response to certain foods and can cause fatigue and severe pain.

Identifying the exact role of a food intolerance, fibromyalgia, or IBS may be less important than getting symptom relief. However, you’ll get more personalized treatments and optimal results if you seek a specialist and have comprehensive testing.

Food sensitivities and muscle pain

Food sensitivities don’t cause the same response as food allergies. But like allergies, sensitivities trigger the immune system. By comparison, food intolerances don’t involve the immune response. They begin when the GI tract reacts to a substance in food, such as lactose.

Activating the immune system leads to body-wide and intestinal inflammation. The inflammation can cause muscle pain, aching joints, and GI symptoms — similar to fibromyalgia.

Though fibromyalgia is not an inflammatory condition, many people with the condition have high levels of inflammatory substances. Food sensitivities and your overall diet may trigger or worsen the inflammation.

Nutritional and dietary considerations

If you’re considering eliminating foods due to intolerances or sensitivities, you may end up lacking vital nutrients. Here’s how nutrient deficiencies are connected to fibromyalgia and several diets that can improve symptoms: 

Nutritional deficiencies

Nutritional deficiencies may have a role in causing fibromyalgia or perpetuating the pain. Muscle pain is associated with low levels of magnesium, selenium, amino acids, and vitamins B and D. People with fibromyalgia often have decreased levels of the same nutrients.

Of the possible vitamin deficiencies, boosting vitamin D and magnesium levels may have the most significant impact.

Special diets

Following a special diet may relieve your symptoms. Here are a few to consider:

1. Low FODMAP diet. FODMAPs are fermentable sugars like fructose that cause bloating and GI problems in some people. Following a low FODMAP diet (eliminating high-FODMAP foods) dramatically improves IBS and fibromyalgia. Examples of high-FODMAP foods include dairy, wheat-based products, beans, onions, and garlic.
2. Low-calorie diet. A low-calorie diet alone doesn’t necessarily help fibromyalgia (depending on the foods you include in your meals). The key is losing weight. The weight loss resulting from a low-calorie diet reduces inflammation, which improves fibromyalgia symptoms.
3. Anti-inflammatory diets. Anti-inflammatory diets focus on foods that reduce inflammation. The Mediterranean diet, one of the best-known anti-inflammatory diets, recommends:

• Plenty of fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, and seeds
• Whole grains (limiting refined grains like white flour)
• Olive oil for your primary fat (you can also use other plant-based oils)
• Moderate amounts of eggs and dairy products
• Proteins from seafood and poultry

The Mediterranean diet doesn’t eliminate red meat but recommends limiting it.

4. Gluten-free diet. A gluten-free diet (eliminating products containing wheat, barley, and rye) helps some people but overall has a minor impact on fibromyalgia compared to other diets.

Call Centers for Pain Control & Vein Care today or request a fibromyalgia evaluation online to learn about your treatment options.