The introduction is also posted on Spotify as a podcast by “Gerry at The Health Equation”
You can search Spotify for “Gerry at The Health Equation”
Or use the link below
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerrygaj
Below is the specific link
Gerry Gajadharsingh writes:
“As clinicians, we often emphasize weight loss (in overweight patients) to help patients manage pain. Yet growing evidence shows that the quality of food choices may be just as important as the number on the scale. Diets rich in anti-inflammatory nutrients can reduce chronic pain, improve quality of life, and complement other treatment strategies. This condensed summary highlights recent research and offers practical ways to integrate nutrition into chronic pain management.
Although this new study did not explore mechanisms in detail, in my clinical experience, a key aspect of nutrition in pain management is stabilizing blood glucose and the insulin response. Insulin itself can be pro-inflammatory, and poorly controlled glucose swings tend to drive cytokine activity that worsens pain. Approaches such as Metabolic Balance — which emphasize structured meals and avoiding snacks between them — are particularly effective in moderating insulin and reducing inflammatory cytokines.
https://www.thehealthequation.co.uk/metabolic-balance-nutritional-programmes/
This condensed summary highlights recent research and offers practical ways to integrate nutrition into chronic pain management.”
Medscape
By Stephanie Brown
Many people with obesity live with chronic pain due to joint stress and inflammation. Conversations with these patients often focus on weight loss, but new research shows that diet quality itself — not just weight reduction — can significantly reduce pain and improve quality of life.
A study published in the European Journal of Nutrition found that patients with overweight or obesity who followed a 3-month weight-loss dietary intervention cut their chronic musculoskeletal pain scores by half, independent of changes in adiposity.
Key findings:
- Diet quality improved by 22%
- Prevalence of chronic musculoskeletal pain dropped from 50% to 24%
While weight loss is commonly recommended to reduce pain and joint stress, the study highlights the importance of emphasizing what patients eat, not just how much.
“It’s not just about how much you eat, but also the types of foods you choose,” said lead researcher Susan J. Ward, PhD, University of South Australia.
Participants increased intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins while cutting back on alcohol, sugary drinks, and sweets.
Why Diet May Reduce Pain
The study did not directly examine mechanisms, but Ward suggested that diets rich in vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients may improve musculoskeletal health, modulate neuroimmune pathways, and reduce systemic inflammation.
“A higher quality diet tends to be rich in anti-inflammatory nutrients and lower in pro-inflammatory foods such as refined carbohydrates, saturated fats, added sugars, and alcohol. This shift may reduce chronic low-grade inflammation that contributes to pain,” Ward explained.
Anti-Inflammatory Foods and Chronic Pain
Inflammation plays a central role in both chronic pain and chronic disease, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and arthritis.
“A diet high in saturated or processed foods, red meat, high-fat dairy, and high-sugar items can alter the gut microbiome and immune function, fuelling inflammation that worsens pain,” said Meera K. Kirpekar, MD, NYU Langone, New York City.
Lifestyle modification remains a cornerstone of pain management, but clinicians should remember that diet is only one piece of the puzzle.
Addressing Micronutrient Deficiencies
Nutritional deficiencies may also influence pain severity. A Pain Practice study found that patients with severe pain had lower levels of vitamin D, B12, magnesium, and folate compared with those with mild or no pain.
“When patients don’t get the relief they expect from other treatments, it may be worth screening for these deficiencies,” said Julie Pilitsis, MD, PhD, University of Arizona.
Correcting deficiencies through targeted dietary changes or supplementation can complement medications and therapies. For example, patients with spinal cord stimulators may respond better when their neurons and nervous tissue are supported by optimal nutrition.
Chronic pain itself can make it harder for patients to shop, cook, or eat well, which may contribute to deficiencies. Asking about appetite, food access, and dietary variety — or using short food-frequency questionnaires — can help identify those who need further evaluation, noted Melissa Mroz-Planells, DCN, RDN, a Seattle-based dietitian.
What Is the Best Diet for Chronic Pain?
Patients should be encouraged to limit highly processed foods and adopt eating patterns rich in:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Whole grains
- Legumes
- Nuts
These recommendations align with the Mediterranean diet — a well-studied anti-inflammatory approach emphasizing fruits, vegetables, extra virgin olive oil, whole grains, beans, and nuts, while limiting meat, dairy, and processed foods.
“It can be overwhelming for patients to overhaul their diet. Remind them that an anti-inflammatory pattern may ease pain even if the scale doesn’t budge,” said Mroz-Planells.
Practical, gradual changes — such as swapping refined grains for whole grains, adding fruit to snacks, or trying a seasonal vegetable with dinner — can collectively yield significant improvements in pain and overall health.
Practical Tips for Clinicians
Patients with chronic pain may struggle to follow strict diet plans. To improve adherence, consider:
- Acknowledge challenges. Validate barriers and ask open-ended questions like, “What could you realistically add to your diet this week?”
- Engage caregivers and family. Many patients rely on spouses or family for meal prep. Educating these “cheerleaders” can make lifestyle changes more sustainable.
- Provide resources. Handouts or digital guides on the Mediterranean diet help patients retain information after the appointment.
As Pilitsis emphasized, clinicians should “downsize the ask” — working with patients to set small, achievable goals.
Takeaway
A healthy diet is a powerful — and often underutilized — tool in chronic pain management. Beyond weight loss, improving diet quality can reduce pain severity, support overall health, and empower patients to take an active role in their care.