No, a poor diet doesn't directly cause fibromyalgia, which has unknown origins but involves genetics and environmental factors, but dietary choices significantly impact symptoms, with inflammatory foods like sugar, processed items, and refined carbs often worsening pain, fatigue, and sleep, while healthier, plant-based diets may help manage flare-ups. Paying attention to food triggers, staying hydrated, and reducing inflammatory foods can improve quality of life for many with FM, as highlighted in articles on Human Health and the American Pain Consortium.
Experts don't know what causes fibromyalgia, but studies have found that certain health conditions, stress and other changes in your life might trigger it. You might be more likely to develop fibromyalgia if one of your biological parents has it.
Easy bruising could also result from nutritional deficiencies often associated with fibromyalgia. "Vitamin deficiencies, like vitamin C, can also increase blood vessel friability, making the vessels more likely to collapse under pressure," adds Pellegrino.
People with fibromyalgia sometimes find that their symptoms worsen when they eat certain foods, in particular:
With regard to dietary interventions, the administration of olive oil, the replacement diet with ancient grains, low-calorie diets, the low FODMAPs diet, the gluten-free diet, the monosodium glutamate and aspartame-free diet, vegetarian diets as well as the Mediterranean diet all appear to be effective in reducing the ...
Gentle movement exercises, such as tai chi or yoga, can help with fibromyalgia-related pain. If you're living with fibromyalgia, it's important to make time for self-care. It's a chronic (long-lasting) condition that causes muscle pain and tenderness all over the body.
Several studies have mentioned the correlation between a low concentration of vitamin D and non-specific musculoskeletal pains [3,12,13], while, some other studies reported the probable association between vitamin D deficiency and clinical manifestations of FM [1,3,4,5,14].
Fibromyalgia flare-ups can be caused by various factors such as stress, injury, illness, hormonal changes, changes in treatment or routine, diet, lack of sleep, overdoing it, and even changes in the weather! All these factors disrupt the body's pain system, which involves the nervous, immune, and endocrine systems.
While no single treatment works for every patient, many individuals living with fibromyalgia report symptom relief through increased hydration. In fact, a data analysis by a crowdsourced medical platform indicated that nearly 80% of users found drinking more water helpful in managing their symptoms.
The 3 main treatments recommended for fibromyalgia are:
Joint swelling, damage and stiffness. Changes in skin color that range from white and mottled to blue or red. Muscle spasms, tremors, weakness and atrophy. Decreased ability to move the affected body part.
On the front of the neck above the collarbone. Just to the right and left of the breastbone (sternum) about 2 in. (5 cm) below the collarbone. On each forearm just below and to the outside of the crease of the elbow.
Other Overlooked Symptoms
It's also suggested that some people are more likely to develop fibromyalgia because of genes inherited from their parents. In many cases, the condition appears to be triggered by things that are physical or emotional like an injury, an infection or stress.
TNX-102 SL (Tonmya; Tonix Pharmaceuticals), cyclobenzaprine HCl sublingual tablets, has been approved by the FDA to treat fibromyalgia in adult patients, making it the first new treatment approved for the musculoskeletal and chronic pain disorder in over 15 years and the fourth treatment approved overall.
Toothaches in those with fibromyalgia aren't always due to typical dental issues such as cavities or gum disease. Instead, fibromyalgia can cause orofacial pain that is unrelated to these common dental problems1.
Magnesium: The mineral for muscle relaxation & sleep support
Studies show that magnesium might actually help ease fibromyalgia symptoms for many people2. It's an important nutrient for your body anyway, but it could also be a helpful tool to manage your fibromyalgia.
Foods to Eat With Fibromyalgia
Eating lots of fruits and vegetables can improve the health of a fibromyalgia patient. Fruits and vegetables are low in calories and high in fiber and antioxidants. Vitamins A, C, and E are found in fresh fruits and veggies, and these also fight free radicals to keep your body normalized.
Treatment options have historically been limited, and many patients report inadequate relief. On August 15, 2025, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new treatment: Tonmya (cyclobenzaprine HCl sublingual tablets), marking the first new FDA-approved drug for fibromyalgia in more than 15 years.
The pain most often affects the muscles and the points where muscles attach to bones. These are the ligaments and tendons. Pain may start in one part of your body, such as your neck and shoulders. But any part of the body may be affected.
Fibromyalgia is often triggered by an event that causes physical stress or emotional (psychological) stress. Possible triggers include: a serious injury, such as after a car accident. an infection, such as Epstein-Barr virus or Lyme disease.
For example:
Many of these risk factors are similar to those for other illnesses characterized by recurrent or persistent pain and affective distress that are frequently comorbid with fibromyalgia, such as irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, tension or migraine headaches, temporomandibular disorder, and major ...
Several rheumatic diseases can mimic fibromyalgia. These include sero-negative rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Lyme disease, polymyalgia rheumatica and lupus. They have symptoms of widespread pain along with joint involvement.
Vitamin B12 deficiency can also cause symptoms that affect your brain and nervous system (neurological symptoms), including: numbness. muscle weakness. psychological problems, which can range from mild depression or anxiety, to confusion and dementia.