Pain occurs for many reasons. It could be from an injury, strain, sprain, fracture. Different diseases can cause pain as well.
Did you know the foods we eat can increase our pain level? That’s right, chemicals in certain foods can make us hurt worse.
So what foods causes the pain? What are some better, healthier meal choices? I will answer these questions and more in the following paragraphs.
The Painful Triggers
Some chemicals found in the foods we eat will increase our pain and discomfort. Ironic as it may seem, some of these painful foods are what a lot of women consider as comfort foods.
You know the foods I’m talking about ladies, they’re the ones we pull out when we’ve had a long trying day at the office, or perhaps after a painful breakup.
Studies show that sugar, flour, yeast, foods containing MSG, Tran’s fats and saturated fats are shown to increase the inflammation which increases swelling and pain.
So things like store bought baked goods, processed foods, crackers, cookies. Basically all of the good old junk food, food we drowned our sorrows in, actually increases our pain.
Even the fried foods we love so much have saturated fats, because of the oil we cook them in. Fortunately, olive oil doesn’t contain these cholesterol rising, inflammation producing fats.
Olive oil contains antioxidants, which helps your body get rid of harmful free radicals. The chemicals in olive oil’s shown to reduce pain.
Sugar free drinks and candies are just as harmful if they contain aspartame. This chemical stimulates the central nervous system.
Of course we all know that Caffeine, alcohol and nicotine simulate the nervous system, which increases pain.
Another study shows that eggs, citrus, soy, and gluten have an inflammation affect as well. Gluten’s a protein found in products containing wheat, barley and rye.
Some of them include; Veggie burgers, chicken broth, salad dressings, soy sauce, barley malt and malt vinegar. Some spices contain this protein too.
Certain foods, known as night shade vegetables also increase inflammation. They include; tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant.
Eating Smart
Since I’ve probably told you not to eat most of the things that you enjoy. I think it’s only fair for me to give you healthy alternatives.
Instead of crackers how about dehydrated fruit chips. Perhaps some fresh fruit wedges? Maybe even a handful of grapes, berries or nuts.
Fruits like grapes, apples, watermelon, plums, apricot, persimmons, cantaloupe, papaya, cherries, oranges and all of the berry family is packed with vitamin C, antitoxins and beta carotene. All essential components when it comes to pain reduction.
Instead of pop, or coffee, perhaps a soothing herbal tea like chamomile, devils claw, ginger, or Meadowsweet tea.
Maybe replace the nightshade vegetables for butternut squash, winter squash, carrots, broccoli, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, mustard greens, turnip greens, kale, rhubarb, spinach, corn and onion.
They too have a lot of antitoxins and beta carotene Onions also have quercetin, which help reduce pain.
On the days you absolutely have to have something sweet, treat yourself to a dark chocolate candy bar. Yep that’s right chocolate, but it has to be the dark kind.
Dark Chocolate has antitoxins, which remove poisons from your body. This reduces pain and inflammation.
Foods like whole grains, seeds, seafood, cocoa, nuts, organ meats, and bran have copper. This mineral helps reduce pain in numerous diseases.
Some of them include; back pain, osteoarthritis, hemodialysis, osteoporosis, arthritis and lupus. You can also take a copper supplement, but be sure not to go over the recommended dosage.
If you have abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and fever stop taking immediately and seek medical attention.
Grains also contain magnesium, which helps stops pain and helps with weight management. This is important when it comes to reducing pain, because extra weight adds pressure to your muscles and joints.
Garlic is also an anti- inflammatory reducer. It also boosts the t cells in your immune systems.
Doctors suggests a multivitamin every day. This will replace B vitamins, which is essential for a healthy nervous system. It’ll restore vitamin C, which helps build your immune system and help the B vitamin be readily absorbed. It will also replace Vitamin D E K and magnesium, which will help with pain relief
They suggest taking an Omega 3 supplement for its anti-inflammatory effect. Salmon is full of Omega 3. Make sure it’s organic, because commercial salmon may have harmful toxins.
Exercises Reduces Pain
Exercising has shown to reduce pain. I know you’re probably thinking how can all that twisting and moving be helpful, right?
Studies show If you do the right exercises in moderation it will tell your brain to release a chemical known as endorphins, which is part of the body’s natural pain killer. Exercise will also help you maintain a healthy weight.
What type of exercises should you do? Studies show that low impact aerobics like riding a bike, swimming and walking helps reduce the pain. Some physicians suggest resistance training to build up weakened muscles.
Sometimes just getting up and stretching your muscles, eases the painful flare-ups. Some doctors suggest yoga and tai, chi.
These types of exercises will also help improve, mobility, your range of motion, in the targeted muscles. Moving around throughout the day will help decrease muscle tension and lower pain levels.
Visiting the Sandman
Rest is every important. When you’re tired you’ll become fatigued and this will increase your pain, while lowering your pain tolerance.
It’s suggested to get at least eight hours of restful sleep at night. Doctors also suggested that people suffering with chronic pain take a short nap. Preferably early in the day, so it won’t interfere with your nightly rest.
A Quick Review
Pain is caused by many things, including the food we eat. If we limit our intake of sugary, processed, fatty foods this will help reduce our pain.
In addition, doing the recommended exercises and getting enough rest will help you live a happier life.
