By Lindsey Shaffer from David Wolfe
Pain in the spine, legs or joints can make your daily routine much more difficult and uncomfortable. Research has shown that chronic pain, often in the form of fibromyalgia, could be due to central sensitization, where neurons in the spinal cord become sensitized by inflammation or cell damage. Certain chemicals in foods can trigger the release of neurotransmitters that heighten sensitivity, suggesting that diet plays a large role in dealing with chronic pain.
Diet recommendations for those who are living with chronic pain include:
- Limit sugar as much as possible, as increased insulin levels can worsen pain
- Eat fresh foods without preservatives or additives
- Avoid caffeine
- Avoid nightshade vegetables
- Eliminate trans fat and fried foods
- Use yeast sparingly
- Avoid pasteurized dairy
- Cut down on carbohydrates
- Avoid aspartame
- Avoid junk food
When you eat a diet consisting of raw, natural foods, you’re increasing the amount of antioxidants in your body, helping to reduce inflammation and lessen pain response. Powerful anti-inflammatory foods include:
- Green leafy vegetables
- Bok choy
- Celery
- Beets
- Blueberries
- Pineapple
- Salmon
- Walnuts
- Chia seeds
- Flaxseeds
- Turmeric
- Ginger
- Garlic
Chronic pain is a common problem that many people suffer from. While pain pills might be a quick fix, they can also lead to a whole list of possible side effects and health risks. Luckily, there are natural ways to help relieve pain. Besides cleaning up your diet and incorporating some anti-inflammatory foods into your daily routine, spine, leg and joint pain can also be combated with a simple but delicious juice recipe. All you need is pineapple, celery, lemon and carrots.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup of pineapple
- 4 stalks of celery
- 1 lemon
- 8 carrots
Directions:
- Cut up all of the ingredients and place them in a juicer.
- Drink and enjoy!
Read more here.