title: A program consisting of a phytonutrient-rich medical food and an elimination diet ameliorated fibromyalgia symptoms and promoted toxic-element detoxification in a pilot trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  An effective treatment for fibromyalgia (FM) has yet to become available.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the efficacy ofa lifestyle program consisting of a modified elimination diet and a supplemental medical food on clinical symptoms of FM assessed by the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), FibroQuest Symptoms Survey (FibroQuest), Medical Symptoms Questionnaire (MSQ), metallothionein mRNA expression, and urinary toxic element excretion.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight women (aged 48-74 years) were enrolled in an 8-week pilot trial employing a sequential design. During the initial 4-week Program A (control), participants consumed a modified US Department of Agriculture food pyramid diet and a rice protein powder supplement that provided basic macronutrient support. During the second 4-week Program B (intervention), participants consumed a modified elimination diet and a phytonutrient-rich medical food.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to baseline, both programs showed trends toward lower mean FIQ total score, MSQ total score, and FibroQuest total score, FIQ stiffness score, and FibroQuest headaches score. Compared to Program A, Program B resulted in a significant decrease (P< .05) in the FIQpain score and stiffness score. Participants also had better pain tolerance at five tender points during Program B than during Program A. Higher metallothionein mRNA expression was observed during Program B. An increase in creatinine-adjusted mercury excretion and suggestive increase in creatinine-adjusted arsenic excretion were noted when Program B was compared to baseline. Urinary mercury/arsenic concentrations were inversely associated with FIQand FibroQuest scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Program B was shown to be a safe and efficacious botanically derived medical food treatment program for the amelioration of FM symptoms.
authors: Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, MetaProteomics LLC, Gig Harbor, Washington, USA. josephlamb@metagenics.com
authors: Joseph J
authors: JJ
authors: Lamb
authors: Veera R
authors: VR
authors: Konda
authors: David W
authors: DW
authors: Quig
authors: Anuradha
authors: A
authors: Desai
authors: Deanna M
authors: DM
authors: Minich
authors: Lincoln
authors: L
authors: Bouillon
authors: Jyh-Lurn
authors: JL
authors: Chang
authors: Alex
authors: A
authors: Hsi
authors: Robert H
authors: RH
authors: Lerman
authors: Jacob
authors: J
authors: Kornberg
authors: Jeffrey S
authors: JS
authors: Bland
authors: Matthew L
authors: ML
authors: Tripp
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000379:methods; D004032:Diet / Q000379:methods*; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000150:complications / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016387:Women's Health
chemical_list: D004043:Dietary Fiber; D018977:Micronutrients; D010936:Plant Extracts