Middle Park Osteopathic Clinic has been researching some natural alternatives for pain relief and inflammation that you may not have be aware of, and that may come as a surprise to you.
Try adding these foods to your diet for a natural solution to that niggling pain!
Ginger
Ginger is one of the best pain killers in the world! Having analgesic properties like the popular ibuprofen, only better! It contains gingerols, paradols, shogaols, and zingerone which are active ingredients that reduce pain.The recommended dosage of ginger is between 500 and 1,000 milligrams per day. Drink ginger tea (fresh is best) or place shavings in your foods, either way will give you relief from that recurring pain.
Acai Juice
A daily glass of acai juice is associated with a reduction in joint pain, and this is correlated with improved blood antioxidant levels. This powerhouse, antioxidant packed berry from the Amazon, is helping people lose weight and increase energy levels all while detoxifying the body.
Olive Oil
Olive oil is like liquid gold or elixir when it comes to fighting pain. It is rich in antioxidant polyphenols that help reduce common pain-causing mechanism in the body. Olive oil is also a good substitute for butter, but use it carefully as it has 120 calories per tablespoon.
Sage
Sage has strong anti-inflammatory benefit and is also high in antioxidants. If your throat is scratchy and irritated, try sipping on a tea made from brewed sage leaves. Sage has been used effectively for throat infections, dental abscesses, infected gums and mouth ulcers.
Raw Almonds & Walnuts
Raw almonds are great source of Omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants that help with pain control. Add these nuts to your salad or just munch on a handful as an afternoon snack. Raw walnuts and walnut oil also contains the same powerful Omega-3 fatty acids that fight pain and inflammation in the body. Walnuts are top of the tree when it comes to heart-healthy superfoods!
Greens
Greens like spinach, amaranth, fenufreek leaves & argula not only have high iron content, but are hoarders of Vitamin K! Vitamin K helps maintain strong bones and healthy joints. A study shows that older adults with ample blood levels of K were less likely to develop osteoarthritis, compared to a low-in-K control group. However, Vitamin K also helps with blood clotting, so if you’re taking blood thinners, check with your doctor before boosting your K intake.
Grapes
Resveratrol in grapes, and grape juice can often have an analgesic effect similar to aspirin, according to a handful of studies. Experts, in any case, recommend one daily glass of grape juice for women, two for men!
Flax Seeds and Flax Oil
Freshly ground flax seeds and cold-pressed flax oil, contain plentiful amounts of fatty acids known as Omega-3s. Do not cook with flax oil otherwise it will have the opposite effect-irritating the body’s tissues and causing pain. Flax fibre suppresses appetite and helps support weight loss.
Turmeric
Turmeric (curcuma longa) is the yellow spice commonly used in Indian curries. In research it has been shown to be a more effective anti-inflammatory than steroid medications when dealing with acute inflammation. Its main therapeutic ingredient is curcumin. Research shows that curcumin suppresses pain through a similar mechanism as drugs like COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitors (without the harmful side effects). Choose a standardised extract with 1500 mg of curcumin content per day. Studies also show Turmeric to be an effective anti-depressant.
Salmon, Mackerel & Herring
Many fatty fish like salmon, mackerel and herring also contain valuable oils. Omega-3s convert in the body into hormone-like substances that decrease inflammation and pain. According to Dr. Alfred D. Steinberg, an arthritis expert at the National Institute of Health, fish oil is an anti-inflammatory agent. Fish oil acts directly on the immune system by suppressing 40 to 55 percent of the release of cytokines, compounds known to destroy joints. Many other studies also demonstrate that eating moderate amounts of fish or taking fish oil reduces pain and inflammation, particularly for arthritis sufferers.
Celery and Celery Seeds
James Duke, Ph.D., author of The Green Pharmacy, found more than 20 anti-inflammatory compounds in celery and celery seeds, including a substance called apigenin, which is powerful in its anti-inflammatory action. Add celery seeds to soups, stews or as a salt substitute in many recipes.
Cherries
Sore muscles after a workout don’t have to be a given. British researchers recently found that people who drank 1 ounce of concentrated cherry juice twice daily for 10 days bounced back faster from their workout (an intensive leg-resistance training session on day 8) than those who skipped the juice. Researchers think it’s because the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in tart cherries–and other dark red and purple fruit juices like grape, pomegranate, acai, blueberry and cranberry–act as natural NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen and aspirin), reducing exercise-induced muscle damage. Tart cherry extract is ten times more effective than aspirin at relieving inflammation. Only two tablespoons of the concentrated juice need to be taken daily for effective results. Sweet cherries have also been found to be effective.
Blackberries, Raspberries,Blueberries & Strawberries
Similar anti-pain compounds have been found in berries like blackberries, raspberries, blueberries and strawberries. They are excellent anti-inflammatory foods. They increase the amounts of compounds called heat-shock proteins that decrease as people age. When heat-shock proteins are in short supply inflammation, pain and tissue damage is the result. They are full of vitamin C, an antioxidant with powerful pain-reducing properties.
Cayenne Pepper
Ironically, cayenne pepper turns DOWN the heat on inflammation due to its powerful anti-inflammatory compound capsaicin.