Recent research has uncovered interesting findings linking gut health and fibromyalgia.
What is fibromyalgia?
This common but poorly understood condition is a collection of symptoms.
You might have a burning or sensitive painful feeling in various locations around the body, often accompanied by digestive issues like IBS, brain fog, trouble sleeping, allergies, headaches or flu-like symptoms.
It can be different for each individual. Some people have constant symptoms and pain, for others it can come and go.
We don’t yet know what causes fibromyalgia. There is increasing evidence it can often be linked to a trauma like an accident, traumatic emotional event, or virus. People with fibromyalgia also commonly experience poor sleep, and nervous system disruption.
Both of these factors make us feel more pain.
Fibromyalgia & Gut Health – The connection
A recent study showed a link between gut bacteria as well.
This study was on humans looking at differences in stool bacteria between people diagnosed with fibromyalgia and controls who didn’t have it.
The gut microbiome of fibromyalgia patients showed significant differences when compared to that of controls.
And pain levels were correlated to increases and decreases in certain microbes.
It’s not clear if the bacteria are causing the increased pain levels, or they are present because of the biological changes that pain causes. But we do know there are changes in the digestive system which may be important.
Although we don’t know all the mechanisms and interplays in the gut yet, there is definitely an opportunity to work with the digestive health of anyone with fibromyalgia.
Not least because it normally comes with digestive symptoms too.
If you know someone who might need support with improving gut health please get in touch to discuss how a nutrition plan will support you.
IBS Nutritionist
Hi, I'm Anna Mapson, registered Nutritional Therapist.
I help people with IBS and SIBO get control of unpredictable gut symptoms to find long term relief from painful and embarrassing IBS without restrictive dieting.
I can help you to:
- understand your digestion better, so you recognise your triggers
- eat a well balanced diet, with tasty meals that are simple to prepare
- reintroduce your trigger foods so you can get back to enjoying food again
Find more about my 3 month 1:1 Gut Reset programme.
Gluten free diet for IBS – How to be healthy
Are you following a gluten free diet for IBS? There is a growing trend to give up gluten, and with the shelves full of gluten free products there is more choice than ever before if you're gluten free. Prefer audio? >> 🎙️listen to my PODCAST EPISODE - Should I...
Do probiotics help with weight loss?
We know weight loss is more than just cutting down your calories and doing a bit of exercise, but could taking probiotics help with weight loss? You might be tempted by a sensational headline, and the thought of taking a pill instead of diet and lifestyle change. But...
Does dry January help your gut health?
Are you giving up alcohol for dry January? Lots of people give up the booze after drinking too much at Christmas. If you're starting the year alcohol-free what does it to do your gut health? How does alcohol affect your gut health? The microbes in our gut help us...
