Resistance exercises have been shown to be one of the best ways to reduce the pain of fibromyalgia. Studies confirm that such exercises reduce glutamate in the affected muscles.40

Related studies have shown improvement in fibromyalgia symptoms and quality of life following exclusion of MSG from the diet, even in cases that were highly resistant to conventional treatment.

In one study of patients that had been suffering from fibromyalgia for 2 to 17 years, with no relief from multiple conventional treatments, all experienced complete or dramatic improvement following reduction of the dietary excitotoxins MSG and aspartame. Re-exposure to MSG caused a return of symptoms.

A more strict elimination of glutamate- or glutamine-containing foods would probably have even greater success.

One participant in another study had suffered from fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome for 39 years with no relief with any treatment. He also suffered from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which had not responded to any pharmacological treatment.

After being placed on the low-glutamate diet, he made a complete recovery from all symptoms, including OCD and irritable bowel syndrome.

Certain foods, such as omega-6 oils (peanut, corn, safflower, sunflower, canola, and soybean) are pro-inflammatory and enhance excitotoxicity.

Omega-3 oils — especially DHA — reduce inflammation-induced excitotoxic damage.

Diets high in meats and low in vegetables also enhance immunoexcitotoxicity.

Sugar — especially high fructose corn syrup — enhances inflammation and should be avoided.

Wheat and whole grain breads are high in glutamine/glutamate and should not be eaten in excess. These breads are also high in gluten, which has been connected to chronic pain syndromes, especially migraines and fibromyalgia.44

Gluten is very high in glutamine, which may account for its pain-triggering properties.