Say Goodbye to Pain: Top 5 Foods That Fight It!
Do you have a lot of aches and pains? You are not alone! According to the National Institutes of Health 76 million people are hurting each week and with the increase in obesity and more, this number could double in the next 10 years.
“No matter how well you prescribe medication, chronic sufferers don’t get complete relief,” says James N. Dillard, MD, author of The Chronic Pain Solution.
If pain is in your daily life, add these 5 delicious foods to ramp up your pain-free life:
Onions are key. A study out of Portland’s Health Sciences University has shown that 1/3 a cup of onions daily – red or yellow onions – can help relieve aches and pains in as little as 10 days. Onions are rich in sulfur, a mineral that boosts the healing start of damaged connective tissues.
Cherries. Just a handful of cherries (10-12 cherries) will help reduce and/or stop arthritis or muscle pain..cherries block inflammation and inhibit enzymes that stop pain just like the anti-inflammatories ibuprofen or aspirin can. It is the anthocyanins-the phytonutrients that give cherry their red color that are the key ingredient in cherries to tamp down pain.
Oregano. The herb oregano can pack a wallop of pain-killing carnosol, a natural pain-killing anti-inflammatory. Add only 1/2 tsp. of the dried herb or 1 tsp. of the fresh herb to meals each day.
Turmeric. This powdery root is not only a classic curry ingredient, but an all-over anti-inflammatory and targets painful joints as well. The active ingredient in turmeric is ‘curcumin.’ Only one tablespoon of turmeric is powerful as it has the capability to protect the body from tissue destruction and joint inflammation. If you want a more therapeutic dose, take the supplement form; just ensure the label says it contains 95% curcuminoids.
Hot Peppers. Ouch! Yes, they bring tears to your eyes but relief to your achy joints. Hot peppers perform its magic by stimulating nerve endings and depleting a chemical that relays pain signals. It is the chemical capsaicin in hot peppers that does the trick. You can find relief in over-the-counter topical creams or gels as well as sprinkling this fiery spice to any food you desire.
Pain can be debilitating – emotionally as well. Take one step at a time, add in more healthful foods to let them help facilitate not only pain relief..but optimal health as well.
To Your Health,
~Lori
© 2013 DLS HealthWorks, LLC. Lori Shemek, PhD, Health and weight loss expert, is the best-selling author of Fire-Up Your Fat Burn!