How To Ease Pain With Nutrition

Pain is a sensation of discomfort felt in the body to warn of something wrong within the system. There are two types of pain: acute and chronic. Acute pain is caused by disease, inflammation or injury to tissues, such as a burn, cut or other obvious wound to the body. Acute pain is normally temporary and subsides as the body heals itself and new tissues form to replace damaged ones. Chronic pain is characterized by long-term suffering and resistance to pharmaceutical and other doctor-prescribed treatments. Nutrition may help reduce some kinds of chronic pain and accompanying discomfort.

Step 1

Eat foods that reduce inflammation. Increase the dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids by eating foods such as fish, sesame seeds, flaxseed, walnuts and soybeans. Alternatively, a tablespoon of flax oil can be consumed daily as a supplement to lower and reduce inflammation and pain associated with it. Inflammation is a response taking place in your body due to irritation or degeneration of tissues.

Step 2

Avoid foods that increase inflammation in the body. Following nutritional guidelines to reduce inflammation in the body includes lowering dietary omega-6 fatty acids, found in foods such as vegetable oils, salad dressings, mayonnaise, margarine, cured meat products and animal fat. Omega-6 fats promote inflammation in the body and tend to worsen chronic joint pain.

Step 3

Consume antioxidant-rich foods. Foods rich in antioxidants include berries, leafy green vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds. These nutrient-dense foods promote bodily protection from free radicals, which are damaged molecules that are ingested through genetically modified foods, food processing, plastics, drugs, pesticides and other unnatural environmental factors. Free radicals have an effect in the body that promotes aging and other degenerating processes, increasing the instances of long-term diseases like arthritis and cancer, both of which are characterized by chronic pain.

Step 4

Lower dietary intake of sugars and refined foods. Soda, white bread and pasta, white rice, and packaged cakes and cookies have a debilitating effect on the immune system. Without proper immune function, the body is unable to repair normal tissue damage occurring in the body. Over time, acute pain that is never allowed to heal completely may grow into a source of chronic pain. Furthermore, refined foods are low in nutritional value, which may also lead to vitamin and mineral deficiencies, further crippling the immune system.

Step 5

Choose natural sweeteners. Instead of using sugar in tea, coffee and baking recipes, opt for a natural replacement such as stevia or agave nectar. These sweeteners are natural and do not interfere with the immune system, allowing it to function properly at all times.

Step 6

Use natural herbal or botanical treatments to lessen your chronic, acute pain or inflammation. Herbs, botanical supplements, teas and natural topical products may help reduce your pain suffering naturally. Chamomile or valerian tea, bromelain capsules, boiled fresh ginger, epsom salt baths and angelica spices have all been found useful in remedying chronic pain. Consult a naturopathic doctor, nutritionist or employee at a health food store for dosage instructions and referrals specific to your health condition and pain symptoms.

Step 7

Avoid pharmaceutical drugs when possible. Prescription pain medications can be evasive to the body, addictive or irritating to the gastrointestinal tract. If you are already on a pain medication, talk to a nutritionist or physician about developing a health and nutrition plan to naturally reduce your pain and begin cutting down on pharmaceutical drugs.