Top Best Natural Remedies For Arthritis
March 2, 2011 by Eric
Filed under Natural Pain Relief
The foods we eat and their direct relationship to our health are so fundamental that a constant reminder is called for. Specially when it comes to natural pain relief. A great deal of the information I bring to you through this web site may seem repetitive: eat your veggies, stay away from salt, sugar etc. I know pretty boring, all the yummy things are bad for you. This of course is not true, there are plenty of delightful foods that are good for us. My goal is to find the best and easiest to prepare. So I will keep on harping on the subject while trying to find the more interesting bits of information to share on natural remedies for arthritis. I love learning this stuff, sometimes we have to hear things over and over before we finally take action.
(source: Blisstree.com)
Chronic and acute pain affect a growing number of people in our society, and there are nearly as many medications as there are causes. But understanding the root of pain – inflammation, in many cases – can go a long way towards preventing the pain and sidestepping expensive pharmaceuticals. As many of my patients know, one of my favorite sayings is: “Garbage in equals garbage out.” This is pertinent to treating pain, and starts with the food we eat. Below are my Top Ten Food Rules for those living in pain, and those interested in reducing inflammation in their bodies:
1. Go Raw! – Roughly half of fibromyalgia patients also suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Eating a diet of fresh foods, devoid of preservatives and additives, may ease fibro symptoms associated with IBS. Foods that irritate your bowel will trigger the body to send a chemical message to the brain, triggering fibromyalgia symptoms. Going Raw (organic if possible) is a great way to begin treating an irritable bowel.
2. Easy on the Caffeine – Fibromyalgia is believed to be linked to an imbalance of brain chemicals that control mood, and it is often accompanied by un-restful sleep and chronic fatigue. Fibro patients may try to boost energy with stimulants like caffeine, but this often does more harm than good, as caffeine acts as a loan shark for energy, taxing the adrenal glands and increasing fatigue in the long run. The adrenals are important to providing the energy reserve necessary to repair from chronic illness, so try switching to green and white teas for a caffeine boost that doesn’t tax your body.
3. Avoid Nightshade Vegetables – What are these, you ask? This family of vegetables includes tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplants, and are believed to aggravate arthritis and pain in some people. These foods can increase pain-promoting molecules, and when removed from the diet can make a LARGE difference for those sensitive to their effects.
4. Increase your Omega 3 Oils – Omega-3 fatty acids, found in salmon and a variety of fish, are heart-healthy, help brain function, and can reduce inflammation. A 2006 survey of arthritis patients found that daily fish oil supplements reduced pain symptoms in 60% of the patients. When taken as a supplement, quality of fish oils is critical. Many poor quality fish oils contain impurities and toxins; professional level brands are your best bet.
5. Watch out for Yeast – Yeast and its partner-in-crime, gluten, can be found in a variety of baked goods. Consuming yeast and gluten contributes to the growth of yeast in the body (i.e. Candida) for some, causing the secretion of toxic, pain-inducing chemicals. Yeast thrives on sugar and white flour – thus cravings increase once yeast has established a foothold in your intestinal tract. At The Dempster Clinic, we offer advanced testing for yeast and other microbial agents that reside in the intestine, and provide a tailored plan to remove them.
6. Careful with dairy – Some degree of dairy sensitivity & lactose intolerance affects about 70% of adults worldwide. As a result many fibromyalgia patients have trouble digesting dairy products leading to increased inflammatory molecules in their body. In a 1998 study, researchers tested whether blood samples taken from 40 fibromyalgia patients reacted to substances found in various foods; the blood of 25% of the subjects demonstrated an immune response to dairy products. The less pasteurized dairy the better!
8. Cut back on the Carbs – One of the best proven fundamental diets for those suffering from pain, particularly fibromyalgia, is a low-carb, low-sugar diet. Sugar and refined carbohydrates spike the inflammatory hormone insulin, thus aggravating pain. About 90% of fibromyalgia patients suffer low adrenal functioning, causing sugar cravings. Unfortunately, they also experience the energy crash that follows the initial sugar high from consuming high-carb foods. To help keep sugar level as stable as possible, try carbs with a mix of protein and fat.
9. Avoid Food Additives – Food additives are synthetic chemicals – things that were never meant to be consumed by anything or anyone. One of the most common, Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), often causes trouble for pain patients. MSG — a high-sodium flavor enhancer common in fast food, Chinese food, and processed, packaged foods — is a an excitatory neurotransmitter that may stimulate pain receptors. A 2007 animal study in the journal Pain suggested that increases in glutamate in muscles may contribute to pain sensitivity. Rule of thumb when reading the ingredients list for additives: If you can’t pronounce it, don’t eat it!
10. Slow Down on Fast Food – The National Fibromyalgia Research Association recommends limiting or eliminating refined sugar, caffeine, fried foods, and highly processed foods. In other words: Stop eating fast food, candy, and vending-machine products. In addition to contributing to weight gain, these foods may irritate muscles, disrupt sleep, and compromise the immune system. Working with a healthcare professional trained in clinical nutrition (such as a Naturopathic Doctor) will help you overcome cravings and provide healthier options for you.
11. Get Your Food Sensitivities Tested – One of the first steps in addressing chronic pain is assessing underlying food sensitivities (or type 2 allergies). It is these that are tough to identify as a reaction can take up to 3 days to surface… Most of us have only been tested for the type 1 (immediate) allergy! Not only are these helpful for chronic digestion, skin, or mood issues – they are the first step in addressing the root cause of chronic pain. Gluten, dairy, corn and soy are some of the more common foods… There are simple blood tests that can be run to determine hidden food sensitivities and have been helpful for many suffering from pain. These functional medicine tests are available at The Dempster Clinic, and can be mailed to any location in North America. Phone consults available.
