Nutrition and Chronobiology as Key Components of Multidisciplinary Therapeutic Interventions for Fibromyalgia and Associated Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Narrative and Critical Review

Nutrients. 2024 Jan 5;16(2):182. doi: 10.3390/nu16020182.

Abstract

Fibromyalgia (FM) is often accompanied by chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). It is a poorly understood disorder that mainly affects women and leads to chronic pain, fatigue, and insomnia, among other symptoms, which decrease quality of life. Due to the inefficiency of current pharmacological treatments, increasing interest is being directed towards non-pharmacological multicomponent therapies. However, nutrition and chronobiology are often overlooked when developing multicomponent therapies. This narrative and critical review explore the relevance of nutritional and chronobiological strategies in the therapeutic management of FM and the often-associated CFS. Reviewed literature offers scientific evidence for the association of dietary habits, nutrient levels, body composition, gut microbiota imbalance, chronobiological alterations, and their interrelation with the development and severity of symptoms. This review highlights the key role of nutrition and chronobiology as relevant and indispensable components in a multidisciplinary approach to FM and CFS.

Keywords: chronic fatigue syndrome; chronobiology; evidence; fibromyalgia; nutrition; review.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Chronic Pain*
  • Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic* / therapy
  • Female
  • Fibromyalgia* / therapy
  • Humans
  • Nutritional Status
  • Quality of Life