Natural Pain Relief Through Proper Eating and Supplements

Posted on 06. Aug, 2009 by admin in Supplement Reviews

Just about everyone I know has experienced some kinds of aches and pains and some people feel them everyday. More than 60 million Americans suffer from chronic pain. Many of the aches and pains we feel in our joints and muscles are due to inflammation. Inflammation is actually just part of our own body’s defense against things such as infection, toxins, and irritation. Today more than half of Americans are inflamed because of their poor eating habits, lack of exercise, and lack of proper nutrients. When your natural balance of inflammation goes into overdrive you will feel even more pain and swelling everywhere. Aside from the symptoms of pain and swelling it also makes us fat. Then the body fat that you gain actually produces more of the chemicals in your body that cause inflammation so it quickly becomes a vicious cycle and your whole body can be in a state of inflammation. So what can you do about it?

Fish

At the top of the list for is fish for its abundance of omega-3 fatty acids. The EPA and DHA found in fish oil has an anti-inflammatory effect which can reduce pain and stiffness. By adding a 4 ounce serving of fish to your diet 2 to 3 times a week you can reduce inflammation and in many cases take less anti-inflammatory medications.

Olive Oil

An easy way to add more pain relief to your diet is by using olive oil. Olive oil is a very healthy source of monounsaturated fats and has an ingredient known as oleocanthal. Oleocanthal acts very similar to NSAIDS (non steroid anti-inflammatory drugs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen sodium. Studies showed that oleocanthal can inhibit the prostaglandins that cause inflammation, pain and fever. Olive oil can be used in cooking, drizzled over vegetables, and made into dressings.

Fruits and Vegetables – the antioxidant advantage

Most people today have heard the free radicals do major damage to the body and the damage they do can cause cancer. Sometimes free radical production gets so out of hand that it also adds to the inflammation of the cells. The main antioxidant that has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects is Vitamin C which can be found in abundance in various citrus fruits. Other forms of antioxidants are found in noncitrus fruits, all the different berries, and the green dark leafy vegetables. The phrase “eat the rainbow” are words to live by. Take a look in the fruits and vegetables section of your grocery store and buy food of all different colors for added pain relief. Some tropical fruits also have bromelain and papain. Bromelain is found in pineapples and is an enzyme that can block some substances responsible for pain. The papaya, which contains the enzyme papain, has substantial anti-inflammatory properties.

Supplements for pain relief

Fish Oil

Eating your way to relieve pain is one way but if relied upon exclusively it can result in an expensive grocery bill. A simple way to insure you are getting the same benefits is by supplementing with some potent antioxidants and a quality fish oil supplement. If you aren’t a fan of fish or just don’t end up eating a few servings a week you can add fish oil or fish oil capsules to your daily diet. Most people have found this the easiest way to get their EPA and DHA. Aside from the anti-inflammatory benefits found in taking a few grams a day of fish oil, there is also the effects of lowering body fat. Lowering body fat then can lead to your body producing less of the chemicals that cause someone to be in an inflamed state. Another way to get omega-3’s is through flax oil or milled flax seeds. Milled flax seeds can be added to just about anything you are eating like yogurt or dressings and the taste is not discernable so it can be added to almost anything. You can obtain your fishoil supplements from our Puritan’s Pride Store by clicking this link.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a very potent antioxidant that has many benefits and can be taken very inexpensively several times per day. It can help reduce inflammation and help keep your immune system strong. It can be found in 500mg-1000mg strengths and can be taken 3 to 4 times per day for maximal effectiveness. This is probably the cheapest and most widely available method on the marketplace. Stock up on Vitamin C now before the flu season hits! You can obtain your vitamin C supplements from our Puritan’s Pride Store by clicking this link.

Acai

Acai has been hyped as the new wonder supplement for just about anything. It is one of the most potent antioxidants from fruit with the highest known ORAC value. It is a strong antioxidant that has been shown to very effectively reduce inflammation. The main problem with Acai right now is its high exposure and hype. This has led many companies to market very cheap Acai products with trace amounts of Acai. Make sure you buy from a reputable company and stay away from the overhyped ads with the most expensive products. There are several fly by night companies offering acai as a miracle drug and many have products with low quality and small amounts of Acai.

You can obtain your Acai l supplements from our Puritan’s Pride Store by clicking this link.

Consistent exercise for pain relief

The last part of your natural pain relieving arsenal should include some type of exercise. At certain levels exercise produces endorphins. Endorphins are natural opiates that are chemically similar to morphine. Endorphins can give a natural pain killing effect for a period of time. The other chemicals stimulated from exercise are serotonin and norepinephrine. These act by increasing your mood much like antidepressants do. When your mood is elevated your mind will focus less on pain and you will feel better. Exercising for pain relief can come in all forms such as swimming, biking, walking, running, and even light resistance training. Some pains in the body are from muscles and tendons that are too tight pulling on one another creating tension and pain. Massage therapy, stretching, and hot whirlpools can help to alleviate some of this tension.

My pain relief cocktail

As a former infantry marine that used to run for miles in boots and sometimes in full gear including flak jackets and packs I developed some early arthritis in my knees. I used to take NSAIDS like Alleve and Motrin daily to help deal with the constant nagging pain but I’ve found that I can manage the pain even better with steady supplementation. My two favorite supplements for this are fish oil and vitamin C. By taking 3,000mg of Vitamin C per day along with 6 grams of fish oil per day I’m able to alleviate and reduce inflammation and pain to barely noticeable levels. I space these out through the day and I stay consistent with it. In the last year I’ve also added an Acai supplement for an added antioxidant punch.

In many cases pain can be better managed through proper diet, supplementation, and exercise. In extreme cases pain relievers may still be needed but at least the dosage may be reduced which makes for a better long term healthy solution for the body. These recommendations will not work overnight like popping a few pills will but given a couple of weeks time the inflammation in the body will continue to reduce and the benefits will be felt. Stay consistent with this program for a month and you will notice positive benefits that extend beyond just pain relief.

You can obtain all your supplements from our Puritan’s Pride Store by clicking this link.

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