Critics say that this diet works by indirectly reducing processed foods (cakes, donuts, etc), and that it is this avoidance that underlies the benefits of this diet. Avoidance of all whole-grain products — a more extreme version of this diet — may in fact be harmful.

Dairy-free diet

Advocates of this diet say that cow milk protein increases inflammation, and that its high caloric density without fiber content promotes weight gain. To the degree that weight loss & reduced inflammation are both beneficial for chronic pain, this fairly simple diet may be a reasonable starting point.

Whole food plant-based diet

Advocates of this diet maximize unprocessed plant foods, and minimize ultraprocessed plant food (e.g. potato chips) & processed animal foods (e.g. hot dogs).

Many have reported profound improvements in health from heart disease, diabetes, to chronic pain. Advocates note that this diet is more inclusive than it sounds, and many have been successful in adhering to it long-term.

Low-histamine diet

Advocates of this much more restrictive diet say people with histamine intolerance develop headache, anxiety, abdominal pain, & a host of symptoms in response to foods high in histamine, including in particular fermented foods (e.g., beer, wine, kombucha, yogurt, cheese, kimchi, & pickles).

Nutrition science is a complex field with a large, complicated scientific literature. Before you make significant changes in diet, you should consult with your healthcare provider or a dietitian. – Dr. Ming Kao

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