Can an Anti-Inflammatory Diet Reduce Chronic Pain?
PUBLISHED ON:
May 11, 2022
If you are among the millions of Americans suffering from low back pain, you have probably tried adjusting your lifestyle and other remedies to ease the symptoms. Although it helps upgrade to a high-tech mattress or an ergonomic office chair, the results are not always convincing.
One research by the Association of Academic Physiatrists (AAP) in February 2021 found that how people eat will affect their low back pain. In this post, we discuss the link between Anti-Inflammatory Diet Help and Chronic Pain.
What Does An Anti-Inflammatory Diet Do?
The human immune system activates whenever the body recognizes a foreign object like an invading microbe, chemical, or plant pollen. The process triggers inflammation processes directed at the most threatening invaders.
Inflammation may sometimes persist even when a non-significant foreign invader threatens the body. In this case, the inflammation becomes an enemy. Most diseases that plague the body, like heart disease, cancer, arthritis, diabetes, and depression, have roots linked to chronic inflammation.
Foods That Cause Inflammation
Avoid or limit the following foods as much as possible:
- French fries and other fried foods
- Soda and any sweetened beverage
- Margarine, lard, and shortening
- Refined carbohydrates like white bread and pastries
Health Risks of Inflammatory Foods
Unsurprisingly, the same foods that cause inflammation are classified as bad for health. Unhealthy foods will also contribute to weight gain, another risk factor for inflammation. Avoid food components and ingredients that may cause inflammation and increase calorie intake.
Anti-Inflammatory Foods
An anti-inflammatory diet includes food like:
- Olive oil
- Tomatoes
- Green leafy vegetables like collards, kale, and spinach
- Fatty fish
- Nuts
- Fruits like cherries, strawberries, blueberries, and oranges
Benefits of Anti-Inflammatory Foods
Nuts reduce inflammation and lower the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Coffee contains anti-inflammatory compounds and polyphenols to protect against inflammation.
Fruits and vegetables like apples, blueberries, and leafy greens have high natural antioxidants and polyphenols compounds. They are effective in alleviating chronic pain and helping you live well.
Anti-Inflammatory Diet
Reducing levels of inflammation requires you to aim for an overall healthy diet. Your daily eating plan should follow the tenets of anti-inflammatory eating by eliminating any unhealthy foods. The typical anti-inflammatory diet consists of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, fish, and healthy oils.
In addition to lowering body inflammation, an anti-inflammatory diet will help you with overall physical and emotional health. Most of these foods effectively boost moods and the overall quality of life.
Reliable Pain Management solutions at Southeast Pain & Spine Care
Pain can adversely affect your life in a short time. At Southeast Pain and Spine Care, we offer interventional pain procedures to support medications and improve pain relief. Contact us today to request a consultation with our administrative team.
PUBLISHED ON:
May 11, 2022