Could insulin resistance be the cause of fibromyalgia?

May 13 by in Fibromyalgia, Insulin, Low carb & high fat, New study

Definition of the word Fibromyalgia in a dictionary

It almost seems as if there is no limit to the benefits of low-carb diets. Of course, we need to be cautious about over-interpreting the data and anecdotal reports, and we need to remain objective. But the reports keep coming.

We recently posted about reports that low-carb diets may benefit COPD and osteoarthritis. Although the evidence is mostly anecdotal, the reports suggest there may be a link. Hopefully we will have a series of anecdotes and eventually a controlled trial to confirm if that is the case. Now, thanks to a recent publication in PLOS One, it looks like we might be able add improvements in fibromyalgia to list of possible benefits.

As the authors mention in the study, fibromyalgia is a common generalized pain disorder without a clear cause and without very good treatment options. It can be a disabling condition causing sufferers to remain mostly sedentary and is frequently associated with severe depression and feelings of hopelessness.

To be fair, the study did not show that low-carb diets improve fibromyalgia. But it did show a high association between fibromyalgia and co-existent insulin resistance (measured by HbA1c which is actually not a very sensitive measurement of insulin resistance). The study then went on to show those treated with metformin, a drug that can improve insulin sensitivity, had improved fibromyalgia symptoms.

Although this data is mostly associational and does not prove cause and effect, it has to make us wonder if fibromyalgia is driven by insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia. If that is proven to be true, then it would follow that a low-carb, high-fat diet may be an effective treatment.

Since we currently do not have any good treatments for fibromyalgia, should we empirically try a low-carb, high-fat diet for those searching for an answer? Most of these individuals are desperate for a glimmer of hope. It would groundbreaking if we could provide them with that glimmer. Since side effects may include weight loss, improved energy, blood pressure control, improved lipid profiles, and so much more, what’s the downside?

Stay tuned for more. Here’s hoping….

Thanks for reading,
Bret Scher, MD FACC

Earlier

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Nutritional pain relief

Low carb for diabetes: a slow but steady path to acceptance

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15 comments

1
Ursula Trudgeon
May 13 3
My fibro Improved with lchf. Since going keto it has totally gone. No more Amitriptyline, Tramadol or even Paracetamol 😊 Just amazing!
2
Terri Brown
May 14 1
The Carnivore diet is helping my fibromyalgia symptoms more than any medication, supplement or anything else ever has helped.
3
Louise
May 14
LCHF Twelve months and no more fibromyalgia. Metamorphic lowers B12 , why would they use this? Many diabetics using metamofin also need B12 injections . , in trying to treat one problem they will just be causing another .
1 comment removed
5
Lorisa Watt
May 14
My fibromyalgia is gone after being on keto, once I get above 30 g carbs a day it starts coming back
6
Nicole
May 14
I have pancreatitis and fibro. Only allowed to have 20g of fat a day. I wish there were more options but this is a wonderful start to finding answers!!
7
Khloe M.
May 14
Same here: keto for more than a year, pain reappears proportionate to rise in carb count.

Keeping carbs below 30 seems key. Unlike all the anti-keto headlines report, it's been pretty easy to maintain. What's hard is walking up or down stairs like an agonized clothepin which is what I had been doing for two years prior to starting the keto diet.
8
Heather
May 15
I haven't noticed any change in my fibromyalgia symptoms after starting LCHF. When I forget to take the drug I'm on for more than two days, the symptoms come back in full...and yes, walking up or down stairs like an agonized clothespin is an apt description :-) I was rather hoping my fibro symptoms would improve with this diet, but I haven't seen anything yet....been on it two months so far.
9
alison harvey
May 15
I have been on keto for last 9 months ( not too strictly ) , and I have much more energy than before, no fibro flare ups, much less pain in general, and lost 3 stone ..so very happy.. I can stick to this easily, as I do allow myself a weekly treat, and snack on nuts and berries daily.
10
Geoffery
May 16 1
Why is HbA1c not a good indicator of insulin resistance?
11
Dana G
May 16
LCHF, then Keto and no more fibromyalgia. The very first doctor (endocrinologist) to diagnose me with fibromyalgia 20 years ago noted that about 2/3 of his patients also felt better on the "hypoglycemic diet" (low carb) along with the pain relievers and protocols in use at the time. The stricter I got with my diet, the less I needed the meds. As long as I stay strict on the diet I do fine, but grains of any sort (especially wheat) throws me into complete inflammation within half an hour or so.
12
Lisa
May 16
Heather have you gotten rid of grains and vegetable oils, don’t forget the hidden stuff. My brain fog reduced as did pain. It’s slightly flaringnow but I am recovering from fracture and find when I can’t get active my pain gets worse. Hoping some good physio and healing so I can move will set me back to the right path
13
Barbara
May 16
I suffered from severe fibromyalgia for 20 years. I tried everything available and nothing worked. I have now been clean keto for 17 months and all my symptoms are gone. I now know my triggers which include carbs higher than 30 a day, but especially things such as anything with corn, sugar, and soy oil. I can not begin to express my appreciation to this way of eating. I have my life back.
14
Lex
May 17
I've suffered from FM for the past 9 years but don't have as severe pain as some. Been on a keto / very low carb high fat diet for approximately 16 months and see no changes in pain and fatigue levels. I do have improved brain clarity on days when sinusitis is mild. I rarely eat any grains, potatoes or fruit (except a small quantity of berries), eat hardly any processed foods, eat grass fed beef, eat mostly organic veggies, soak nuts, don't eat legumes, eat butter from GF cows, organic coconut oil and olive oil & drink ~ 2 litres filtered water daily, don't drink alcohol or any sweet drinks, take good quality daily supplements (sodium ascorbate, magnesium glysinate, Vit E, zinc, Vit K 3 + D, take probiotics from coconut milk or regular milk kefir,.... & aim to get a good nights sleep and reduce stress.

My fasting glucose levels have always been within the range (whatever significance that may or may not have) and have never been on the high side. I've never had or needed to have my A1c tested.

I personally don't believe my FM has anything to do with insulin resistance (not to say that it could not be a contributing factor in some FM cases). But rather is likely to be caused by a systemic infection (caused by an infection at the apex of a root canaled tooth performed twice with broken dental file left in the tooth nerve canal) exasterbated by a mouth full of mercury fillings, both ultimately affecting my detox pathways and disturbing proper cellular function.

I haven't read the actual study so I could not say how much weight it carries in terms of a well executed study or trial. I'd be very interested to read the entire study.
2 comments removed
17
Katherine Peso
May 21
How can I order your book?

Kathy Peso

Reply: #18
18
Reply to comment #17 by Katherine Peso
Kristin Parker Team Diet Doctor
May 21

How can I order your book?
Kathy Peso

Here is the link to Dr Scher's website. Additionally, I removed your mailing address for your privacy.
https://lowcarbcardiologist.com/your-best-health-ever-2/#.W5EFEZMzbUI