An estimated 50 million Americans are living with chronic pain – nearly 20 percent of the entire country struggles with persistent pain for months or years on end. A new study published in
Nature Metabolism reveals that a typical Western high-fat diet can increase people’s risk of painful disorders commonly associated with conditions such as diabetes or obesity. The research involved observing both mice and humans to examine the link between unhealthy omega-6 fatty acids (found in processed snacks, fast foods, sweets, processed meats, and junk food) and pain.
Ditching a Western high-fat diet, and particularly reducing omega-6 intake and increasing omega-3 lipids (the so-called “healthy” fats such as those found in olive oil and walnuts), greatly reduced pain conditions in those suffering from conditions such as obesity and diabetes, the study found. The researchers also discovered that levels of omega-6 lipids in individuals with Type 2 diabetic neuropathic pain were associated with higher pain levels and the need for taking analgesic drugs.