Nutrients

Editorial

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4 pages, 181 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Food in Chronic Pain: Friend or Foe?

by Amanda C. Fifi and Kathleen F. Holton

Nutrients 2020, 12(8), 2473; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12082473 - 17 Aug 2020

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 5213

Abstract

While many still consider food to be innocuous, ongoing research demonstrates food’s role, both harmful and protective, in chronic pain [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diet and Chronic Pain)

Research

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15 pages, 2282 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Low Glutamate Diet Effectively Improves Pain and Other Symptoms of Gulf War Illness

by Kathleen F. Holton, Anna E. Kirkland, Michael Baron, Shalini S. Ramachandra, Mackenzie T. Langan, Elizabeth T. Brandley and James N. Baraniuk

Nutrients 2020, 12(9), 2593; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12092593 - 26 Aug 2020

Cited by 32 | Viewed by 14886

Abstract

Gulf War Illness (GWI) is a multisymptom disorder including widespread chronic pain, fatigue and gastrointestinal problems. The objective of this study was to examine the low glutamate diet as a treatment for GWI. Forty veterans with GWI were recruited from across the US. [...] Read more.

Gulf War Illness (GWI) is a multisymptom disorder including widespread chronic pain, fatigue and gastrointestinal problems. The objective of this study was to examine the low glutamate diet as a treatment for GWI. Forty veterans with GWI were recruited from across the US. Outcomes included symptom score, myalgic score, tender point count, dolorimetry and the Chalder Fatigue Scale. Subjects were randomized to the low glutamate diet or a wait-listed control group, with symptom score being compared after one month. Subjects then went onto a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover challenge with monosodium glutamate (MSG)/placebo to test for return of symptoms. Symptom score was compared between diet intervention and wait-listed controls with an independent t-test and effect size was calculated with Cohen’s d. Change scores were analyzed with Wilcoxon Signed Rank tests. Crossover challenge results were analyzed with General Linear Models and cluster analysis. The diet intervention group reported significantly less symptoms (p = 0.0009) than wait-listed controls, with a very large effect size, d = 1.16. Significant improvements in average dolorimetry (p = 0.0006), symptom score, tender point number, myalgic score and the Chalder Fatigue Scale (all p < 0.0001) were observed after the 1-month diet. Challenge with MSG/placebo resulted in significant variability in individual response. These results suggest that the low glutamate diet can effectively reduce overall symptoms, pain and fatigue in GWI, but differential results upon challenge suggest that other aspects of the diet, or underlying differences within the population, may be driving these changes. Future research is needed to identify potential nutrient effects, biomarkers, and underlying metabolic differences between responders and non-responders. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diet and Chronic Pain)

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7 pages, 211 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Functional Abdominal Pain and Nutritional Status of Children. A School-Based Study

by Amanda C. Fifi, Carlos Velasco-Benitez and Miguel Saps

Nutrients 2020, 12(9), 2559; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12092559 - 24 Aug 2020

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3017

Abstract

Functional abdominal pain disorders (FAPD) are the most common chronic pain conditions in pediatric gastroenterology. They account for 50% of all pediatric gastroenterology clinic visits. The pathophysiology of FAPDs is poorly understood, but there is growing understanding of the role of food and [...] Read more.

Functional abdominal pain disorders (FAPD) are the most common chronic pain conditions in pediatric gastroenterology. They account for 50% of all pediatric gastroenterology clinic visits. The pathophysiology of FAPDs is poorly understood, but there is growing understanding of the role of food and the patient’s nutritional state in both their treatment and prognosis. Clinic-based studies have shown a higher prevalence of FAPDs, and worse prognosis among obese children with FAPDs. We aimed to assess the nutritional status of children with FAPD to determine if there is increased prevalence of FAPDs in obese or underweight patients. We conducted a cross sectional study of schoolchildren in Colombia. We enrolled 1030 patients from five schools and screened them for FAPDs using Rome IV criteria. Data on weight, height, abdominal circumference and BMI were collected for each child. Cases (FAPDs) were compared with a control group of enrolled children who did not meet diagnostic criteria for any functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID). We diagnosed 58 (5.8%) children with FAPDs based on Rome IV criteria. When we compared to participants who were not diagnosed with FGIDs by screening, there was no statistically significant difference in children who were obese (OR 0.34 CI: 0.03–1.34, p = 0.124) or overweight (OR 1.00 CI: 0.46–2.02, p = 0.984) or those with increased abdominal circumference (OR 0.94, CI: 0.10–3.90, p = 0.943). FAPDs are not more common among obese children compared with healthy controls at a community level. Obese children may have been overrepresented in previous studies which were done at a clinical level due to comorbidities and a more severe phenotype that makes them more likely to consult. Nutritional status is not a useful predictor for the occurrence of FAPDs in children in the general population. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diet and Chronic Pain)

11 pages, 678 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Healthy Eating Plate Advice for Migraine Prevention: An Interventional Study

by Claudia Altamura, Gianluca Cecchi, Maria Bravo, Nicoletta Brunelli, Alice Laudisio, Paola Di Caprio, Giorgia Botti, Matteo Paolucci, Yeganeh Manon Khazrai and Fabrizio Vernieri

Nutrients 2020, 12(6), 1579; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12061579 - 28 May 2020

Cited by 29 | Viewed by 6665

Abstract

We aimed at evaluating the effect of the Healthy Eating Plate (HEP) education on migraine frequency and disability. At three evaluation times (T-12 = screening, 12 weeks before the intervention; T0 = time of the educational HEP intervention; and T12 = 12-week follow-up), [...] Read more.

We aimed at evaluating the effect of the Healthy Eating Plate (HEP) education on migraine frequency and disability. At three evaluation times (T-12 = screening, 12 weeks before the intervention; T0 = time of the educational HEP intervention; and T12 = 12-week follow-up), the enrolled subjects underwent assessment of anthropometric and dietary patterns, monthly migraine days (MMDs), and disability scales (Migraine Disability Assessment score (MIDAS), MIDAS A, MIDAS B). The HEP score estimated adherence to dietary advice. We enrolled 204 out of 240 screened migraineurs, of these, 97 patients completed the follow-up. We defined ADHERENTS as patients presenting an increase in HEP scores from T0 to T12 and RESPONDERS as those with a reduction of at least 30% in MMDs. ADHERENTS presented a significant decrease in MMDs from T0 to T12. In particular, RESPONDERS reduced red, processed meat and carb intake compared to NON-RESPONDERS. Reduction in carb consumption also related to a decrease in perceived disability (MIDAS) and headache pain intensity (MIDAS B). Logistic regression confirmed that the HEP score increase and total carb decrease were related to a reduction in MMDs. This study showed that adherence to the HEP advice, particularly the reduction in carb, red and processed meat consumption, is useful in migraine management, reducing migraine frequency and disability. Trial registration: ISRCTN14092914. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diet and Chronic Pain)

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Review

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18 pages, 734 KiB

Open AccessReview

Do Interventions with Diet or Dietary Supplements Reduce the Disease Activity Score in Rheumatoid Arthritis? A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

by Josefine Nelson, Helen Sjöblom, Inger Gjertsson, Stine M. Ulven, Helen M. Lindqvist and Linnea Bärebring

Nutrients 2020, 12(10), 2991; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12102991 - 29 Sep 2020

Cited by 51 | Viewed by 12849

Abstract

The aim was to compile the evidence from Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) of diet or dietary supplements used to reduce disease activity in adults with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Searches were performed in the databases PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane. Only RCT studies of diets, [...] Read more.

The aim was to compile the evidence from Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) of diet or dietary supplements used to reduce disease activity in adults with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Searches were performed in the databases PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane. Only RCT studies of diets, foods or dietary supplements, looking at effects on the Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28) among adults with RA, published in peer-reviewed journals, were included. A total of 27 articles were included—three of whole diets (Mediterranean diet, raw food and anti-inflammatory diet), five of food items, five of n-3 fatty acids, five of single micronutrient supplements, four of single antioxidant supplements and five of pre-, pro- or synbiotics. Studies that showed moderate strength evidence for positive effects on disease activity in RA included interventions with a Mediterranean diet, spices (ginger powder, cinnamon powder, saffron), antioxidants (quercetin and ubiquinone), and probiotics containing Lactobacillus Casei. Other diets or supplements had either no effects or low to very low strength of evidence. In conclusion, RCT studies on diet or dietary supplements are limited in patients with RA, but based on the results in this review there is evidence that some interventions might have positive effects on DAS28. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diet and Chronic Pain)

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30 pages, 682 KiB

Open AccessReview

Dietary Patterns and Interventions to Alleviate Chronic Pain

by Simona Dragan, Maria-Corina Șerban, Georgiana Damian, Florina Buleu, Mihaela Valcovici and Ruxandra Christodorescu

Nutrients 2020, 12(9), 2510; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12092510 - 19 Aug 2020

Cited by 45 | Viewed by 12480

Abstract

Pain is one of the main problems for modern society and medicine, being the most common symptom described by almost all patients. When pain becomes chronic, the life of the patients is dramatically affected, being associated with significant emotional distress and/or functional disability. [...] Read more.

Pain is one of the main problems for modern society and medicine, being the most common symptom described by almost all patients. When pain becomes chronic, the life of the patients is dramatically affected, being associated with significant emotional distress and/or functional disability. A complex biopsychosocial evaluation is necessary to better understand chronic pain, where good results can be obtained through interconnected biological, psychological, and social factors. The aim of this study was to find the most relevant articles existent in the PubMed database, one of the most comprehensive databases for medical literature, comprising dietary patterns to alleviate chronic pain. Through a combined search using the keywords “chronic pain” and “diet” limited to the last 10 years we obtained 272 results containing the types of diets used for chronic pain published in the PubMed database. Besides classical and alternative methods of treatment described in literature, it was observed that different diets are also a valid solution, due to many components with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities capable to influence chronic pain and to improve the quality of life. Thirty-eight clinical studies and randomized controlled trials are analyzed, in an attempt to characterize present-day dietary patterns and interventions to alleviate chronic pain. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diet and Chronic Pain)

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13 pages, 242 KiB

Open AccessReview

Magnesium and Pain

by Hyun-Jung Shin, Hyo-Seok Na and Sang-Hwan Do

Nutrients 2020, 12(8), 2184; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12082184 - 23 Jul 2020

Cited by 109 | Viewed by 21433

Abstract

In terms of antinociceptive action, the main mode of action of magnesium involves its antagonist action at the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, which prevents central sensitization and attenuates preexisting pain hypersensitivity. Given the pivotal function of NMDA receptors in pain transduction, [...] Read more.

In terms of antinociceptive action, the main mode of action of magnesium involves its antagonist action at the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, which prevents central sensitization and attenuates preexisting pain hypersensitivity. Given the pivotal function of NMDA receptors in pain transduction, magnesium has been investigated in a variety of pain conditions. The oral and parenteral administration of magnesium via the intravenous, intrathecal, or epidural route may alleviate pain and perioperative anesthetic and analgesic requirements. These beneficial effects of magnesium therapy have also been reported in patients with neuropathic pain, such as malignancy-related neurologic symptoms, diabetic neuropathy, postherpetic neuralgia, and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. In addition, magnesium treatment is reportedly able to alleviate fibromyalgia, dysmenorrhea, headaches, and acute migraine attacks. Although magnesium plays an evolving role in pain management, better understanding of the mechanism underlying its antinociceptive action and additional clinical studies is required to clarify its role as an adjuvant analgesic. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diet and Chronic Pain)

11 pages, 252 KiB

Open AccessReview

Migraine and Diet

by Parisa Gazerani

Nutrients 2020, 12(6), 1658; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12061658 - 3 Jun 2020

Cited by 113 | Viewed by 32988

Abstract

Migraine is characterized by recurrent attacks of disabling headaches, often accompanied by sensory and motor disturbances. Clinical manifestations of migraine are influenced by dietary behaviors and dietary elements. Several dietary triggers for migraine have been identified, leading to the definition of strategies such [...] Read more.

Migraine is characterized by recurrent attacks of disabling headaches, often accompanied by sensory and motor disturbances. Clinical manifestations of migraine are influenced by dietary behaviors and dietary elements. Several dietary triggers for migraine have been identified, leading to the definition of strategies such as elimination diets, ketogenic diets, and comprehensive diets, mainly to help prevent migraine. Although inconsistency is present in the literature and no consensus exists, the available data are promising in supporting beneficial dietary interventions for some migraine patients. Several factors influence the net outcome, including age, sex, genetics, and environmental factors. Advancement in understanding the underlying mechanisms of migraine pathogenesis and how dietary factors can interfere with those mechanisms has encouraged investigators to consider diet as a disease-modifying agent, which may also interfere with the gut–brain axis or the epigenetics of migraine. Future work holds potential for phenotyping migraine patients and offering personalized recommendations in line with biopsychosocial models for the management of migraine. Diet, as an important element of lifestyle, is a modifiable aspect that needs further attention. Well-designed, systematic, and mechanism-driven dietary research is needed to provide evidence-based dietary recommendations specific to migraine. This narrative review aims to present the current status and future perspective on diet and migraine, in order to stimulate further research and awareness. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diet and Chronic Pain)

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