The Fibromyalgia Elimination Diet

Fibromyalgia is a chronic syndrome that typically causes widespread pain in your joints and muscles. It may also cause symptoms such as mental confusion, headaches, lethargy, poor physical balance and depression. The exact cause of fibromyalgia is unknown; however, food allergies may contribute to this condition. A fibromyalgia elimination diet may help you identify allergens and remove these foods from your diet.

Check with your doctor before adopting a fibromyalgia elimination diet.

Common Allergens

Any food may cause an allergic reaction that contributes to fibromyalgia symptoms; however, certain foods are more likely to worsen fibromyalgia symptoms than others. Gluten, which is found in grains such as wheat and rye, is among the most common allergens. Other potential allergens include dairy products, soybeans and soy products, corn, preservatives and flavoring agents, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Elimination of Potential Allergens

Eliminate all foods that may cause allergic reactions and contribute to fibromyalgia symptoms. Avoid milk, cheese, yogurt, wheat and rye breads, and soy products including tofu and textured vegetable protein. Also, avoid any products containing corn, as well as processed or packaged foods that may contain flavoring agents or preservatives, such as cookies, doughnuts, candies, snack crackers, ice cream, cakes and pies. Monitor symptoms closely to determine if removal of these foods improves symptoms over a two-week period.

Reintroduction of Suspected Allergens

Add one of the suspected allergens back into your diet for three days. Then, monitor symptoms to determine if the food you reintroduced worsens your fibromyalgia symptoms. If it aggravates symptoms, permanently eliminate it from your diet, and add another suspected allergen after the three-day period. If symptoms do not increase, leave the first food in your diet and try another suspected allergen. Continue this process until you have tested all suspected allergens.

Considerations

After you have completed the elimination diet, it is important to maintain a nutritional plan that does not include foods that worsen fibromyalgia symptoms. In some cases, you can add suitable replacements -- for example, if wheat or rye bread aggravates symptoms, opt for gluten-free breads made from amaranth or other grains.

Also, symptoms may increase for two or three days after removing all suspected allergens at the beginning of the fibromyalgia elimination diet. However, it is necessary to continue abstaining from these foods for two weeks determine if symptoms improve.