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Inflammation is tied to many different health issues, and chronic pain is no exception. The problem with chronic pain is that the system gets out of whack and begins attacking healthy tissue. Chronic pain is a problem that many people in Manhattan face on a daily basis. Approximately 100 million people in the US suffer from chronic pain.
When we have chronic pain, it's easy to focus on our pain. Unfortunately, we don't always realize that what we eat has a significant impact on the way that we feel. But the foods we consume can either help or hurt the areas that hurt, and this guide will show you some of the best anti-inflammatory foods you can add to your diet to help with your Manhattan pain management plan.
Chronic pain and diet
Chronic pain is a debilitating condition that affects many people in Manhattan alone. If you have chronic pain, you know how difficult it can be to get through each day. Chronic pain makes everything more difficult, from getting out of bed to going to work.
Chronic pain lasts for a long time and often stems from an underlying condition, such as arthritis, but sometimes chronic pain is also caused by nerve damage. It can change the way you live your life, and it's not something that can be cured with a prescription pill or even with surgery. But it can be controlled with pain management treatments and a healthy diet.
Although there are many different causes of chronic pain, one thing is clear—inflammation plays a key role in causing chronic pain and other health problems such as heart disease and diabetes.
If you have chronic pain, it's important to treat it with both pain management strategies and lifestyle changes. For example, one way to reduce inflammation naturally is by eating anti-inflammatory foods. These foods can also help prevent symptoms from getting worse, which means you won't have to rely on medications that cause side effects.
What foods to eat?
As we have talked about so far, inflammation is the root of most pain. If you have chronic pain, it can be difficult to eat well but there are certain foods that can help alleviate inflammation and make you feel better. So which foods should you eat? What foods have anti-inflammatory properties that can help with chronic pain management?
Here are some anti-inflammatory foods that may help reduce both the severity of your symptoms and their duration:
Walnuts
Walnuts are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which will help reduce inflammation in your body. They're also full of vitamins E and A, which are both antioxidants that help protect against free radical damage.
Beans and legumes
Beans are full of fiber and protein, which helps keep blood sugar levels stable throughout the day, so you don't experience spikes or crashes after meals (this is especially important if you have diabetes). They're also rich in antioxidants called flavonoids, which help lower inflammation throughout your body. And they're full of vitamins A, C, E, and K — all of which play important roles in keeping you healthy when you have chronic pain. Try black beans with rice or quinoa for a quick meal that will keep hunger at bay until dinner time.
Turmeric
Turmeric is a spice that's been used in India and China for thousands of years to treat various health conditions. It's known as an antioxidant and has anti-inflammatory properties. It also helps with digestion and improves brain function. You can add it to soups, curries, scrambled eggs, rice dishes and more.
Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil)
These fats are anti-inflammatory and have been shown to reduce joint inflammation, improve joint function and reduce pain in people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). They can also help decrease stiffness and swelling in joints. Omega-3s are found in fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, herring, and tuna.
The best way to get omega-3s is by eating fish rather than taking supplements because fish contain other nutrients that help protect against heart disease, cancer, and depression. If you're vegan or vegetarian, try flaxseed oil (which has a higher concentration of omega-3s than most vegetable oils) or walnuts as sources of these healthy fats.
Ginger
Ginger has been used for centuries as an herbal remedy for various ailments, including pain relief from arthritis and other inflammatory conditions.
Dark leafy greens
Kale, collard greens, spinach, and other dark leafy greens are loaded with vitamins A and K, which play essential roles in keeping your bones strong. These vitamins also have anti-inflammatory effects on the body. Other good choices include cabbage, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, and romaine lettuce.
Whole grains
Whole grains are high in fiber which helps promote regular bowel movements, which reduces strain on your digestive system and improves overall health by cleansing your system of toxins. Whole grains also contain lignans, phytochemicals that have anti-inflammatory properties that protect against cancer as well as heart disease. Good sources include whole-grain pasta (such as whole wheat spaghetti), quinoa, and brown rice (which is actually more nutritious than white rice).
Avocados
Avocados are rich in magnesium and potassium. These two nutrients can help relax muscles and reduce inflammation. They're also full of vitamin E, which helps relieve joint pain. Researchers have found that people who eat avocados have less joint pain than those who don't.
How can those foods help with your chronic pain?
Chronic pain is a common condition that affects a lot of people in Manhattan at any age. It can be caused by arthritis, fibromyalgia, and back pain. Inflammation is our body's natural way of responding to injury or illness.
However, it can cause serious health problems such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer when it becomes chronic. It causes swelling and redness in the affected tissue, as well as pain and heat at the site of an injury.
For people suffering from chronic pain, diet plays an important role in helping to manage symptoms. Diet can also help reduce inflammation, which has been linked to many chronic conditions.
The foods you consume can have a significant effect on how much inflammation your body experiences at any given time. Certain foods are known to increase inflammation while others help reduce it and can even help control chronic pain symptoms.
Foods rich in antioxidants are thought to play an important role in reducing inflammation and preventing oxidative stress in the body, which can contribute to pain and other health problems.
Antioxidants neutralize free radicals that cause cell damage and inflammation throughout the body. Examples of foods rich in antioxidants include berries, dark chocolate, nuts and seeds, cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and Brussels sprouts, green tea, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, and white potatoes.
Some studies suggest that omega-3 fatty acids may have anti-inflammatory effects by decreasing levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Other studies show that omega-3 fatty acids may reduce joint stiffness in people with rheumatoid arthritis.
A good diet can help you manage or relieve chronic pain by providing enough nutrients to support your body and mind. But it's best to seek advice and help from a pain management specialist in Manhattan about what to eat when you have chronic pain.
What foods to avoid?
The foods you eat can either help or hurt your body's ability to heal itself. Some foods may aggravate your symptoms and make your chronic pain worse. If you're struggling with chronic pain and want to try an anti-inflammatory diet, here are some foods you should avoid:
Processed meat
Processed meat includes hot dogs, sausages, and deli meats that have been preserved using nitrites or sodium nitrate — preservatives that have been shown to increase the risk of colorectal cancer. Processed meats also contain high amounts of saturated fat and sodium, which can contribute to heart disease and other health problems.
Soda and other sugary drinks
While sugary beverages are known contributors to weight gain and obesity, they also increase inflammation in your body by contributing to insulin resistance — a condition in which your body doesn't respond properly to insulin, leading to high blood sugar levels over time. Insulin resistance leads to diabetes as well as other conditions such as heart disease and stroke.
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages are a no-no when it comes to managing chronic pain. It can increase inflammation in the body and can worsen existing symptoms of chronic pain.
Foods high in sugar
The most obvious way to deal with chronic pain is to cut back on sugar. However, this doesn't mean cutting out all sweets. It's best to reduce your intake of processed sugars, such as candy and soda, which give you an immediate burst of energy followed by a crash that only makes you feel worse. Instead, opt for healthier treats like dark chocolate and baked goods made with natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup.
Greasy foods
Greasy foods are high in fat and cholesterol, which can increase inflammation in the body and make chronic pain worse. In addition, fast food has empty calories that offer little nutritional value and do nothing to ease your symptoms.
Healthy diet and Manhattan pain management treatment
What works best with chronic pain depends on your personal body chemistry and your own specific needs. However, you can try these foods with precaution to help with your chronic pain.
It is important to take control of your diet and health if you are dealing with chronic pain but don't forget that you shouldn't ignore the advice and recommendation of Manhattan pain management specialist.
Keep in mind that food isn't the only thing you should pay attention to if you want to manage or treat your chronic pain. A healthy lifestyle, exercise, and proper sleep are also important. Consult a pain management specialist if you feel like your pain is not subsiding in order to help ensure that your habits aren't aggravating your pain in any way.