Metabolic Syndrome, Musculoskeletal, Neurology

Investigating the Effectiveness of a Carb-Free Oloproteic Diet in Fibromyalgia Treatment

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that predominantly affects women. It presents with a range of symptoms including widespread musculoskeletal pain, chronic fatigue, sleep disturbances, anxiety, and depression, with its exact cause remaining largely unknown. Typical treatments include medications like pain relievers and muscle relaxants, along with lifestyle modifications and psychological support.

A randomized trial aimed to evaluate the impact of two different dietary interventions on symptoms and metabolic profiles in women diagnosed with fibromyalgia: an oloproteic/ketogenic diet and a low-glycemic index (LOGI) diet.

In this study, forty-one women were divided into two groups for 45 days. One group followed the oloproteic diet, consuming approximately 10 grams of carbohydrates and 1.4 grams of protein per kg of ideal body weight daily, with individualized fat recommendations depending on body weight. The other group followed the LOGI diet, which included 100-150 grams of carbohydrate daily, with an emphasis on low glycemic foods and normal protein and fat consumption. Both interventions were calorie restricted based on body weight and BMI.

At the end of the study, the researchers analyzed the results of clinical and laboratory tests to determine how the two diets affected metabolic dysfunction linked to fibromyalgia.

Key findings among the groups:

Oloproteic (Ketogenic) Diet :

• Significant reductions in pain and fatigue
• Average loss of body weight: >6%
• Reduction in rheumatological scores: >50%
• Significant reduction in anxiety scores and moderate reduction in depression scores
• Distinct changes in several biochemical pathways associated with inflammation, pain perception and other fibromyalgia symptoms

LOGI Diet:

• Moderate reductions in pain and fatigue
• Average loss of body weight: >5%
• Reduction in rheumatological scores: up to 25%
• Moderate reduction in anxiety scores and significant reduction in depression scores

Although both interventions were effective in this study, the ketogenic oloproteic diet demonstrated greater improvement in fibromyalgia symptoms and metabolic profiles compared to the LOGI diet. While future research needs to confirm these findings, they suggest that a ketogenic diet may be an effective treatment for fibromyalgia symptoms.