Joint pain is caused by inflammation and can be managed by a number of avenues. Besides anti-inflammatory drugs, diet is a powerful tool in reducing the amount of inflammation, and pain, in joints.
Causes of Joint Pain
Pain is caused by a couple of things, including direct assault on a pain-sensitive neuron (nerve cell) or stimulation of a pain-sensitive neuron through inflammation.
Causes of Inflammation
Enzymes called cyclooxygenase 1 and 2 enzymes, sometimes abbreviated as COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes, are the major causes of joint inflammation. They stimulate the body to bring inflammatory chemicals into joints. The resulting inflammation stimulates pain-sensitive neurons in the joints, leading to pain.
Treatments
Inflammation is typically treated using a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen. These over-the-counter medicines are non-selective medications that block COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes throughout the body. Sometimes, doctors will prescribe a more powerful drug that selectively blocks COX-2, which is the more active of the two inflammation generators.
Diet's Effect on Joint Pain
Diet absolutely will affect the amount of inflammation in the body, and therefore, the level of soreness in the joints. Diets that contain high amounts of omega-6 fatty acids (a cousin to the much talked about omega-3) fuel the COX enzymes, and make them produce more inflammation. Omega-3 fatty acids decrease the activity of COX enzymes, and therefore reduce inflammation.
Controlling the amount of inflammation in the body (and the joints) is the key to controlling joint pain through nutrition.
Type of Diet
Diets high in omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation and joint pain, which means diets with high amounts of fatty fish such as tuna and salmon. Diets can also include larger amounts of fruits, vegetables, nuts and tea, which contain inflammation-fighting chemicals in high numbers.
Things to avoid include large amounts of corn, sunflower, safflower, soybean or cottonseed oils, fried foods, margarine and processed foods. These foods contain large amounts of omega-6 fatty acids, which can promote inflammation and joint pain.
Supplements
Supplements can be useful in helping to decrease inflammation and joint pains. The most important thing to consider with supplementation is to speak with your doctor and ensure the supplements do not interact with any medication you are taking.
Glucosamine, Chondroitin and MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) are all important to the maintenance of joint cartilage, and have been extensively studied and shown to decrease pain and increase function in painful joints.
Boswellia and bromelain are chemicals that have shown promise as pain relievers and anti-inflammatories, without the side effects of NSAIDS.
Ginger and curcemin (found in the spice tumeric) have shown promise as potent anti-inflammatories.
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