Review

The Role of Nutrition Therapy in the Management of Chronic Pain

Number: 30 August 31, 2026
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The Role of Nutrition Therapy in the Management of Chronic Pain

Abstract

Chronic pain is defined as pain lasting longer than three months or recurring in nature and is considered a major public health problem affecting millions of people worldwide. This condition, which significantly reduces quality of daily life and may lead to physical, psychological, and social problems, can negatively affect individuals' lives over the long term. Although the mechanisms underlying the development of chronic pain have not yet been fully understood, recent scientific studies suggest that certain biological processes may play a role in its development. Among these processes, oxidative stress, inflammation, increased body weight, and imbalance in gut microbiota (dysbiosis) are particularly prominent. Notably, most of these factors are closely associated with nutrition either directly or indirectly. Therefore, investigating the effects of nutrition on the development and severity of chronic pain may enable the development of nutrition-based approaches aimed at reducing pain. This review discusses the possible biological mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of chronic pain and examines the role and potential contributions of nutrition therapy in this process. Thus, the importance of nutrition as a complementary approach in the prevention and management of chronic pain is emphasized.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Public Health Nutrition

Journal Section

Review

Early Pub Date

August 31, 2026

Publication Date

August 31, 2026

Submission Date

July 21, 2025

Acceptance Date

July 29, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: 30

APA
Berberoğlu, H. T., & Keser Gümüş, M. G. (2026). The Role of Nutrition Therapy in the Management of Chronic Pain. Istanbul Gelisim University Journal of Health Sciences, 30, 848-866. https://doi.org/10.38079/igusabder.1747475
AMA
1.Berberoğlu HT, Keser Gümüş MG. The Role of Nutrition Therapy in the Management of Chronic Pain. IGUSABDER. 2026;(30):848-866. doi:10.38079/igusabder.1747475
Chicago
Berberoğlu, Hatice Tuğçe, and Muteber Gizem Keser Gümüş. 2026. “The Role of Nutrition Therapy in the Management of Chronic Pain”. Istanbul Gelisim University Journal of Health Sciences, nos. 30: 848-66. https://doi.org/10.38079/igusabder.1747475.
EndNote
Berberoğlu HT, Keser Gümüş MG (August 1, 2026) The Role of Nutrition Therapy in the Management of Chronic Pain. Istanbul Gelisim University Journal of Health Sciences 30 848–866.
IEEE
[1]H. T. Berberoğlu and M. G. Keser Gümüş, “The Role of Nutrition Therapy in the Management of Chronic Pain”, IGUSABDER, no. 30, pp. 848–866, Aug. 2026, doi: 10.38079/igusabder.1747475.
ISNAD
Berberoğlu, Hatice Tuğçe - Keser Gümüş, Muteber Gizem. “The Role of Nutrition Therapy in the Management of Chronic Pain”. Istanbul Gelisim University Journal of Health Sciences. 30 (August 1, 2026): 848-866. https://doi.org/10.38079/igusabder.1747475.
JAMA
1.Berberoğlu HT, Keser Gümüş MG. The Role of Nutrition Therapy in the Management of Chronic Pain. IGUSABDER. 2026;:848–866.
MLA
Berberoğlu, Hatice Tuğçe, and Muteber Gizem Keser Gümüş. “The Role of Nutrition Therapy in the Management of Chronic Pain”. Istanbul Gelisim University Journal of Health Sciences, no. 30, Aug. 2026, pp. 848-66, doi:10.38079/igusabder.1747475.
Vancouver
1.Hatice Tuğçe Berberoğlu, Muteber Gizem Keser Gümüş. The Role of Nutrition Therapy in the Management of Chronic Pain. IGUSABDER. 2026 Aug. 1;(30):848-66. doi:10.38079/igusabder.1747475

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