Food is Medicine - diet and chronic pain

Spine & Nerve

In this week's episode of the Spine & Nerve podcast Dr. Nicolas Karvelas and Dr. Brian Joves discuss the relationship between diet and chronic pain. Chronic pain including chronic spinal pain is incredibly common and difficult to treat. There are many aspects to a thorough and complete treatment plan including physical modalities, medications, procedures, and surgeries, but one often overlooked component of the treatment plan is diet. What a patient eats has the potential to have a sustained and powerful impact on symptoms and overall health. Listen as the doctors discuss the details of a recent study investigating the impact of diet quality (measured by the Healthy Eating Index-2015) on chronic spine pain. In addition the doctors will share their thoughts regarding some possible beneficial approaches to diet. The main focal points that the doctors discuss include: 1) a diet with a low glycemic index (minimize processed carbohydrates) 2) high fiber diet (their is evidence this decreases inflammation and improves joint pain) 3) increase intake of fruits and vegetables intake (they are rich in polyphenols and data in fibromyalgia patients showing a positive impact on chronic pain disease processes) 4) optimization of omega 6 to omega 3 ratio (ideally towards a 1:1 ratio- higher levels of omega 3 are associated with decreased inflammation and decreased pain) 5) ensuring deficiencies are identified and treated including Magnesium and Vitamin D References: 1. Zick, Suzanna Mariaa; Murphy, Susan Lynnb; Colacino, Justinc Association of chronic spinal pain with diet quality, PAIN Reports: September/October 2020 - Volume 5 - Issue 5. 2. Sibille KT, King C, Garrett TJ, et al. Omega-6: Omega-3 PUFA Ratio, Pain, Functioning, and Distress in Adults With Knee Pain. Clin J Pain. 2018;34(2):182-189. 3. Gandhi R, Perruccio AV, Rizek R, Dessouki O, Evans HM, Mahomed NN. Obesity-related adipokines predict patient-reported shoulder pain. Obes Facts. 2013;6(6):536-41. 4. Costa de Miranda R, Paiva ES, Suter Correia Cadena SM, Brandt AP, Vilela RM. Polyphenol-Rich Foods Alleviate Pain and Ameliorate Quality of Life in Fibromyalgic Women. Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 2017 Mar;87(1-2):66-74. This podcast is for information and educational purposes only, it is not meant to be medical or career advice. If anything discussed may pertain to you, please seek council with your healthcare provider. The views expressed are those of the individuals expressing them, the may not represent the views of Spine & Nerve.