EIGHT FOODS THAT FIGHT ACHES AND PAINS

You know that taking certain supplements can help to combat aches and pains caused by arthritis and other conditions, but did you know that some foods have painkilling and anti-inflammatory properties?
Here are eight foods you might want to put on your plate if you suffer from chronic pain...

Turmeric

A spice commonly used in Indian cooking, turmeric contains the chemical curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory properties and can help ease the pain of osteoarthritis and regulate the body's immune response, reducing the inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

Extra-virgin olive oil

You already know the benefits of the Mediterranean diet. As well as helping you to live longer, it seems that enjoying a diet high in olive oil could help to manage your pain.

Extra-virgin olive oil contains a natural phenolic compound called oleocanthal, which prevents the production of pro-inflammatory COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes. This reduces inflammation and eases pain, much in the same way that ibuprofen works. Extra-virgin olive oil from Tuscany is said to have the highest oleocanthal levels.

Pomegranates

Pomegranates might not be something you think to eat every day, but you might want to give them a go if you suffer with chronic pain. The seeds of the fruit contain anthocyanin antioxidants, which reduce inflammation, and ellagitannin antioxidants, which studies show are effective at treating pain. 

ARTHRITIS - HOW CHANGING YOUR DIET COULD HELP REDUCE PAIN

According to Arthritis Care Northern Ireland nearly 230,000 people live there with the debilitating disease. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form, followed by rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

As the drugs used to treat arthritis often work through action on the immune system or reduction of inflammation, the role for diet in arthritis is targeted at these functions also. Unfortunately some medications can come with negative side-effects. Nutritional interventions, although perhaps not as consistent and sometimes not as effective as medications, will more often than not help with a condition, without consequences to health.

Additionally tailored dietary intervention will offer other health benefits alongside its expected therapeutic aid. This is why many people use dietary manipulation - alongside medications or in some incidences instead of medications - when tackling a health complaint.

A dietitian's role goes beyond treatment and prevention of arthritis. A dietitian must also help combat the side effects caused by the medications such as taste changes, mouth sores, abdominal pain, ulcers, loss of appetite, nausea, thinning of the bones, weight loss and weight gain.

In addition to nutrition-related side effects of the medications, dietitians also help with drug-nutrient interactions. For example certain medications interact with folic acid, calcium and potassium within the body.


Related: Managing Pain While Avoiding Opiod  Abuse

Osteoarthritis

When it comes to osteoarthritis (OA), obesity is a strong risk factor. Obesity is the greatest modifiable risk factor for OA. People with a BMI>30 kg/m2 are nearly seven times more likely to develop knee OA than people with a healthy weight. The reason for this is twofold.

Turmeric - Can It Help You Lose Weight?

First ginger, then matcha, now turmeric. The yellow spice often found in Indian food (and ginger’s cousin, FYI) has officially reached celebrity status, making its way into lattes in just about every trendy café and on Instagram (see: #turmericlatte or #goldenlatte). And the fad is only growing. Case in point: News broke recently that a woman supposedly died after receiving an intravenous turmeric injection, according to Forbes. Yes, an injection.

Why the sudden infatuation with an ancient root? For years, holistic health practitioners have heralded turmeric for its anti-inflammatory properties, thanks to its active ingredient, curcumin. Studies have shown that the compound inhibits a number of molecules that play a role in inflammation in the body, and other studies have shown that inflammation has been linked to metabolic diseases, like obesity.

6 ANTI - INLAMMATORY POWERHOUSE FOODS

Chronic inflammation has been associated with an increased risk of arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, and cancer. Sure, some inflammation is good—the acute kind is a form of self-protection, your body's immune response to a cut or pathogens entering the body. 

Chronic inflammation, however, means that your body is constantly producing immune cells, which can damage the body. This harmful inflammation is a result of never-ending stress, being overweight, or a diet high in things like sugar, trans fats, and various toxins. But while the wrong diet promotes excessive inflammation, a diet rich in clean foods can help reduce it and its harmful effects on your body. The following foods in particular are anti-inflammatory powerhouses.

Cold-Water Fish

Salmon, black cod, sardines, and anchovies are full of anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids. Salmon is a particularly good choice—its rosy pink color comes from carotenoids, which also have anti-inflammatory properties. 

7 SPICES THAT COULD HELP YOU LIVE LONGER

SPICE UP YOUR LIFE

Avoid an overflowing medicine cabinet by tapping into the healing powers hiding inside your kitchen cabinet. 

More and more modern-day research identifies what ancient healers have known for centuries—spices hold amazing healing properties. With many overflowing with natural compounds that deter type 2 diabetes, one of the nation’s fastest-growing medical problems, spices could serve as an economical way to save lives. The best part? They’re delicious! Enjoy!

 

CORIANDER

Aromatic and medicinal, this spice has been shown to ease anxiety and help people sleep. It’s also an important spice for people living with type 2 diabetes. A 2011 study published in the Research Journal of Pharmaceutical, Biological and Chemical Sciences found coriander acted as a natural blood-sugar and cholesterol regulator.

Use It: Ground coriander seeds pair well with eggs, salad dressings, chili sauces, and guacamole.

 

FOODS WHICH MAY BE MORE NUTRITIOUS WHEN EATEN TOGETHER.

While there is no real evidence to show that food combining diets improve digestion or enhance weight loss, there are some foods that are best enjoyed together to get the best from their nutrients. 

Mix up your berries

Berries are bursting with cancer-fighting antioxidants - but if you really want to benefit, try mixing up the berries in your bowl. Research published in the Journal of Nutrition found that eating a variety of berries at the same time significantly increases their antioxidant activity.

Enjoy strawberries and a handful of blueberries for example, or buy frozen mixed berries to use in smoothies. Just don't use yoghurt - milk proteins bind to antioxidants and so can prevent them from being processed as efficiently.

BEST SPICES FOR HEALTHY COOKING

Have you ever felt like your healthy food was lacking something? 

Sure, grilled chicken breast and vegetables are great for you, but it can also leave a lot lacking in the taste department. If you're finding that your food is sitting on the side of bland a little more than you'd like, then you need to find the best spices. But the best in spices is as relative as the best in gas mileage — everyone says their spices are the best. That's why we got the help of culinary nutritionist Keisha Luke.  

7 BEST FOODS TO FIGHT INFLAMMATION.

Whether it's aches and pains, stiffness, headaches, indigestion, stomach aches, yeast imbalances, viruses, low energy, weight gain, or free-radical damage, it often goes back to two things: acidity and inflammation.

To understand how acidity plays a role in producing bodily inflammation, you first have to understand pH, or the measure of a solution's acidity or alkalinity from 0 to 14, 0 being the most acidic, and 14 being the most alkaline. Our bodies need a very specific pH balance to function and maintain homeostasis. Even slight changes to the pH of our blood, for instance, can be extremely problematic.

10 INFLAMMATION FIGHTING FOODS.

When you have a headache or joint pain, the easy fix is to reach for an over-the counter anti-inflammatory. However, recent studies show an alarming trend. 

It turns out that even one dose of the most popular OTC and prescription anti-inflammatories is enough to significantly increase your risk of heart attack. When taken regularly or in large doses, those same drugs can also cause serious gastrointestinal damage.

How To Make Turmeric Tea

Gout - 5 Natural Treatments To Relieve The Discomfort.

If you awaken from a sound sleep to excruciating joint pain in your big toe, you may be experiencing one of several gout symptoms.  Gout is on the rise in America, affecting millions of people each year. In fact, the latest research, from 10 years ago, found that the rates of gout doubled in 20 years prior. More than eight million Americans have gout.

Many believe this dramatic increase is due to poor diets, obesity and a lack of exercise, although genetics is also thought to play a role.

Too much uric acid in the body can also cause kidney stones and in more severe cases lead to kidney failure due to the blockage caused by uric acid crystals.  In addition, if the root cause of gout is not addressed, you may be at a greater risk of developing certain types of cancer and heart disease.

Statistically, men are far more likely to get gout than women. However, it is becoming more common in women, particularly after menopause.

11 Supplements That Could Help You Live Longer.

Stay stronger, longer

The recipe for awesome aging? Healthy whole foods and enough exercise, of course, but a few strategically selected supplements can help keep that youthful pep in your step too, says Andrew Weil, MD, director of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine. Here are his recommendations for six age-related maladies. Just be sure to get the green light from your doctor before adding anything new to your current supplement lineup. 

*Dosage may vary depending on specific needs or supplement brand, so consult your doctor.

7 Anti Inflammatory Foods You Should Increase In Your Diet.

Some kinds of inflammation in the body helps us heal, but chronic inflammation is the root of many modern day ailments and issues – among them, heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease, according to Dr. Andrew Weil. A diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods is a simple and powerful way to help the body stay balanced, calm and in vibrant health.

We loved sharing this advice from The Beauty Chef a while back and thought we’d revisit the topic with this useful list of foods that will encourage great skin, daily detoxification and better overall health. Most anti-inflammatory foods are also rich in antioxidants – think leafy greens and bright berries. Many are also high fiber and and full of omega 3s. Find a few favorites and make them a bigger part of your daily diet…

Anti-Inflammatories - Ginger and Turmeric

Some useful tips. What do you think?

5 Natural Powerful Antibiotics You Should Consider.

Hospital antibiotics have become one of the most over-prescribed "medicines" today. As a result, people have ruined their digestive systems and ironically, have lowered their natural immunity to all types of infections in the future.

 Get rid of infections without the digestive destruction, with these five powerful natural antibiotics.

1. Garlic

Up first is the natural antibiotic garlic! Garlic has been used medicinally by cultures around the world for thousands of years. In fact, it was used in the 1700s to ward off the plague. 

Garlic possesses potent antibiotic, antiviral, antifungal, and antimicrobial properties and is able to help protect and facilitate removal of unfriendly bacteria. It is also very high in natural antioxidants that destroy free radicals, which also supports a strong immune system.

The active ingredient in garlic, allicin, is the key component to killing and warding off harmful bacteria. Crush it to activate these compounds, and eat it raw, in a warm tea or in lightly cooked food.

Seven Superfoods To Help Boost Your Health.

While there is no strict scientific definition out there, superfoods are usually packed with essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals, a hefty dose of fiber, or lean protein. Superfoods also typically have anti-inflammatory properties from healthy omega-3 fats and anti-aging benefits from antioxidants. 

If you want to upgrade your health and well being while lowering your risk for disease, these seven superfoods are excellent places to start!

1.Berries

Raspberries, blueberries and açaí berries are all rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, which help slow aging and lower your risk of cancer and heart disease. High levels of omega-3s fight inflammation, while the fiber in berries balances blood sugar levels.

How To Cleanse Your Liver

Really informative video about Liver cleanse from Dr. Axe. How you find it useful? Let us know what you think.

What To Eat To Stay Ahead Of Inflammation.

Inflammation is right up there with sugar in terms of scary wellness words. You’ve probably heard the laundry list of ailments it’s tied to: acne, sleeping problems, gut issues, and even life-threatening conditions, like heart disease.

The good news is that you can eat your way to better health—as long as you’re filling up on the right foods. Sure, turmeric gets a lot of the glory when it comes to fighting inflammation, but how many golden lattes do you need to sip a day for it to actually make a difference? And is there anything else you can nibble on that works just as well?

 Nutritionist Barbara Mendez, who’s also trained as chemist and a pharmacist, helped to build an anti-inflammatory food pyramid—with the most beneficial foods at the bottom and the not-so great ones at the top. (Cough…gluten…cough.)

 It’s kind of like the triangle you memorized in elementary school, only with way more superfoods (and way fewer cartons of milk).  

Who Shouldn't Consume Curcumin or Turmeric?

This video has lots of valuable information about possible effects of too much Turmeric on people who may be susceptible to various conditions. Let us know if you found it useful.

 We always recommend that you seek advise from a medical professional and not take more than the recommended dose. 

9 Anti Inflammatory Herbs That Could Boost Prostrate Health

Considering the potential of herbs as both as a chemopreventive agent that can be used in men who have chosen active holistic surveillance and as part of an overall plan to prevent recurrence in men who have undergone treatment this is one of the best natural forms of prostate cancer prevention and treatment. 

Researchers at the University of Texas found that the following combination of herbs  inhibits invasion of cancer cells, reduces the ability of cancer to spread to bone cells, and boost apoptosis through anti-inflammatory effects on cells' genetic blueprints. 

Here is the combination to get you started: