TY - JOUR
T1 - Influence of pro-algesic foods on chronic pain conditions
AU - Cairns, Brian Edwin
PY - 2016
Y1 - 2016
N2 - This paper examines current knowledge about putative "pro-algesic" dietary components, and discusses whether limiting the intake of these substances can help improve chronic pain. Although there is a common impression that numerous food components, natural and synthetic, can cause or worsen pain symptoms, very few of these substances have been investigated. This article focuses on four substances, monosodium glutamate, aspartame, arachidonic acid, and caffeine, where research shows that overconsumption may induce or worsen pain. For each substance, the mechanism whereby it may act to induce pain is examined, and any clinical trials examining the effectiveness of reducing the intake of the substance discussed. While all four substances are associated with pain, decreased consumption of them does not consistently reduce pain.
AB - This paper examines current knowledge about putative "pro-algesic" dietary components, and discusses whether limiting the intake of these substances can help improve chronic pain. Although there is a common impression that numerous food components, natural and synthetic, can cause or worsen pain symptoms, very few of these substances have been investigated. This article focuses on four substances, monosodium glutamate, aspartame, arachidonic acid, and caffeine, where research shows that overconsumption may induce or worsen pain. For each substance, the mechanism whereby it may act to induce pain is examined, and any clinical trials examining the effectiveness of reducing the intake of the substance discussed. While all four substances are associated with pain, decreased consumption of them does not consistently reduce pain.
U2 - 10.1586/14737175.2016.1157471
DO - 10.1586/14737175.2016.1157471
M3 - Review article
C2 - 26900907
SN - 1473-7175
VL - 16
SP - 415
EP - 423
JO - Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics
JF - Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics
IS - 4
ER -