Food Implications in Central Sensitization Syndromes, 2020, Aguilar-Aguilar

Andy

Andy

Retired committee member
Fibromyalgia (FM), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) are some of the central sensitization syndromes (CSSs). The complexity of their diagnosis, the high interindividual heterogeneity and the existence of multi-syndromic patients requires a multifaceted treatment. The scientific literature is contradictory regarding the role of food in CSS, and evidence on the role of nutrition in MCS is particularly scarce.

This review consists in gathering information about the current status of dietary recommendations (i.e., special dietary interventions, the role of additives, presence of micronutrient deficiencies, nutritional supplements and elimination of other nutrients and substances) and discussing the scientific evidence in depth to shed light on appropriate nutritional treatment managements for CSS patients. Current indications show that dietary modifications may vastly improve the patients’ quality of life at a low cost.

We suggest personalized treatment, taking into consideration the severity of the disease symptoms, quality of life, coexistence with other diseases, pharmacological treatment, changing clinical characteristics, nutritional status, energy requirements and food tolerances, among others, as the best ways to tailor specific dietary interventions. These approaches will partially overcome the lack of scientific and clinical research on MSC. Patients should also be advised on the serious consequences of following dietary guidelines without a dietitian’s and clinician’s supervision
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Open access, https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/9/12/4106/htm
 
Sly Saint said:
hmm, judging by the amount of talk about food on this forum I find this hard to believe.
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I would very much like to know. It wouldn't surprise me for moderate/severe, and even some mildly affected. Many symptoms of ME can disturb food prep and/or appetite.

There is a rehab centre in my town where they sometimes have ME patients, some of them keep food in the drawer next to bed because they couldn't get to the kitchen... in a "youth with ME" group I'm in on fb, there are often posts about "easy to prepare/eat foods" as people just don't have the energy. And I'm sad to say that a lot of options that are suggested are not nutritious, and I've seen week-plans where there are alarming red flags in the nutrient-department (although energy requirements may be met). And then there's all the different diets and supplements people try out with little knowledge of nutrients they have to be mindful of :(
 
Never mind the content - can we really state with such absolute confidence that ME, CFS & FM are "Central Sensitization Syndromes"? I think not.

As for food.......you can waffle on all you like but the basic starting points for looking at food & nutrition in an illness like ME have to be-

  1. Can the patient afford to buy the food they need?
  2. Can the patient acquire the food needed - if they are capable of online shopping that doesn't mean they can get up and answer the door and put their delivered groceries away.
  3. Can the patient prepare the food? Even if they can afford to buy and acquire the food they simply may mot be able to prepare it & to have any nutrition at all they may have to rely on foods that aren't ideal from a nutritional point of view.
  4. Severe/very severe ME patients and those with certain comorbidities may be unable to eat, swallow or digest food - even if they have adequate support to fulfil the first 3 points. This is another but equally important issue.
Until the first 3 points are addressed then the rest is largely patient blaming as far as I'm concerned.

Those ME patients I know who are well enough to go trying to better their diet do their level best to do that quite early on.

Changing my diet, with expert help, did improve my life as my IBS disappeared but made zero difference to my ME.
 
I was considered 'malnourished' because I was depleted in proteins, fats and minerals. I ate a healthy diet, but had serious malabsorption problems at the time. Many chronic illnesses have gut issues so there's that too.
 
Sean said:
The CFS population is usually malnourished

Which would explain my extra 8kgs. :rolleyes:
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To which the nutritionalist who believes diet can cure all including cancer, would respond ‘in our society we are over fed but under nourished’.

I agree people with ME would benefit from appropriate support in relation to their diet, but because of all the practical issues raised by @Invisible Woman and to a lesser extend to identify and help those needing to address the food sensitivities associated with such as ME. This should not be seen as treatment, but rather practical support and symptom management.
 
Yes, the practical
Invisible Woman said:
Never mind the content - can we really state with such absolute confidence that ME, CFS & FM are "Central Sensitization Syndromes"? I think not.

As for food.......you can waffle on all you like but the basic starting points for looking at food & nutrition in an illness like ME have to be-

  1. Can the patient afford to buy the food they need?
  2. Can the patient acquire the food needed - if they are capable of online shopping that doesn't mean they can get up and answer the door and put their delivered groceries away.
  3. Can the patient prepare the food? Even if they can afford to buy and acquire the food they simply may mot be able to prepare it & to have any nutrition at all they may have to rely on foods that aren't ideal from a nutritional point of view.
  4. Severe/very severe ME patients and those with certain comorbidities may be unable to eat, swallow or digest food - even if they have adequate support to fulfil the first 3 points. This is another but equally important issue.
Until the first 3 points are addressed then the rest is largely patient blaming as far as I'm concerned.

Those ME patients I know who are well enough to go trying to better their diet do their level best to do that quite early on.

Changing my diet, with expert help, did improve my life as my IBS disappeared but made zero difference to my ME.
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This! ME was not mentioned at all when we were taught about different diseases where such help could be necessary :banghead:

I did not read past the central sensitization, I just enjoy the topic :P
 
“Central sensitization syndromes (CSSs) or functional somatic syndromes include different chronic and acquired disorders related to an unknown etiology, such as fibromyalgia (FM), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).”

Cannot get past this.
 
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