Food intolerance and sensitivity are associated with features of fibromyalgia in a self-selected community population

Introduction:People are now presenting with chronic musculoskeletal pain at a younger age,and many of them fulfil criteria for fibromyalgia.We have recently shown a strong association between fibromyalgia symptoms and autistic traits in a self-selected community population,with the relationship mediated in part by the presence of hypermobility.Many respondents also described food sensitivities and intolerances.This study explores the relationships between food issues and fibromyalgia symptoms in this population.Methods:We adopted a nonexperimental,correlational design and collected data from a volunteer sample of 442 adults(aged 18–60)who completed online self-report questionnaires assessing each of fibromyalgia symptoms(ACR criteria),autistic traits(RAADS score)and hypermobility(Beighton’s test).Subjects were also asked to record any food sensitivities,allergies,or intolerances,along with their consequences.Correlation analyses and linear regressions were used to test the relationships between these features and each of fibromyalgia,autistic traits and hypermobility.We analysed the data with parametric and non-parametric techniques to assess the significance and power of relationships,and the potential mediating effect of food-related symptoms in the correlation between fibromyalgia features and autistic traits.Results:Our self-selected community population had a mean age of 24 years and was 77%female.The self-reported prevalence of fibromyalgia,autistic traits and hypermobility was 40%,65%and 44%respectively.Hypermobile individuals showed a high prevalence of autistic traits,reaching 79%among females and 88%among males.Half of all subjects reported food sensitivity and 31%reported food intolerance.The incidence of food-related symptoms was higher among subjects who met criteria for fibromyalgia than those who reported autistic traits or hypermobility.Food sensitivity and food intolerance were both more significantly associated with fibromyalgia(r=0.24,P>0.001 and r=0.38,P>0.001)than with autistic traits(r=0.172,P>0.01 and r=0.148,P>0.01).Discussion:This community study provides evidence for an association between features of fibromyalgia and reported food intolerance and sensitivity.Although self-selected,the findings in our predominantly young population suggest that gluten and lactose consumption may be associated with higher levels of musculoskeletal pain.The study population commonly reported that avoidance of gluten and/or lactose containing foods reduced symptoms.Dietary adjustment may merit further investigation as a therapeutic modality for some patients with fibromyalgia.

Major allergens in 8 types of allergenic foods and allergen detection techniques

In recent years,the prevalence of allergens in food warning notices,both domestically and internationally,has become the second leading concern after microbial contamination.Among the various factors that threaten human health reported by the World Health Organization,food allergy ranks fourth,and food allergy has become a global security problem.As of now,no definitive treatment for food allergies exists,making the avoidance of allergen-containing foods the most effective prevention method.Consequently,labeling foods with allergen information serves as a crucial warning for allergic populations.Moreover,to enhance comprehension of food allergies,this article provides a brief overview of their definition and sensitization mechanisms.The main focus lies in highlighting the structure of primary allergens found in eight commonly allergenic foods and the resulting clinical symptoms they cause.Additionally,a summary of commonly employed allergen detection techniques is presented,with an analysis of their principles,advantages,and limitations.Looking ahead,the integration of diverse technological approaches to establish an efficient,accurate,and affordable allergen detection method remains a significant trend.This article has certain reference value for understanding the direction of food allergies.

The Clinical Use of Mediator Release Test in Food Sensitivities

Food sensitivities are non-IgE-mediated, non-coeliac, dose-dependent and delayed systemic responses to food. They consist of a highly complex class of adverse food reactions; however, their last phase is the release of mediators from leukocytes. The Mediator Release Test （MRT） is a functional measure of sensitivity-based inflammatory responses. It is an end-point test, which can account for the widest range of triggering mechanisms involved in sensitivity reactions, including both innate and adaptive pathways. MRT not only tests reactions to foods, food-chemicals, and other substances, but also reliably quantifies the degree of the inflammatory response. The test opens the new therapeutic options for food sensitivities.