Do You Want Less Joint Pain?

There are a number of different reasons we have joint pain. Working a joint too hard can cause irritation in the cartilage, the stiff but flexible connective tissue that coats the surfaces of the bones in our joints and cushions bones against impact, as well as inflammation.

Inflammation is the body’s natural defense mechanism to any foreign substance that it considers harmful. Germs, pollen, and chemicals may trigger an inflammatory response when the body is exposed to them. Very often, components of food trigger the body’s defense response causing inflammation.

Inflammation, whether it’s from overworking a joint creating too much friction or from some of the chemicals in our food, is a type of toxic heat that gets trapped in your body. Normally your body can eliminate this heat through your pores and by going to the bathroom. But if there is too much heat your body can’t keep up with the demand. So to protect your inner organs from this very toxic heat, it stashes it in your joints. Not good!

Here are some foods you can ween yourself off of little by little over the course of a few months as well as some foods to add to your meals.

First, the inflammation producing foods:

# 1 Sugar

I know, dessert is awesome. And so is soda, fruit juice and sweet tea. But processed sugars create an incredible amount of heat in your body. This heat is way too much for our body to handle so anything more than a tiny amount is actually toxic, even though it tastes so good. But you don’t have to suffer! You can find some simple alternatives in a lot of “Keto” recipes. I love sweets too, so I recommend two inexpensive books by Maria Emmerich—The Art of Healthy Eating—Sweets; and Quick and Easy Ketogenic Cooking. By the way, processed sugar it’s one of the few things we eat that has no nutritional value. None. That’s certainly something to think about!

# 2 Tomatoes

Tomatoes, like all members of the nightshade family, contain a chemical called Solanine. Your gut has a hard time absorbing Solanine, so it causes irritation in your intestines that builds up over time. With a last name like Gigliotti, God knows I love pasta with a good red sauce. Unfortunately, my knees and low back don’t feel the same way.

# 3 Potatoes

“But I thought potatoes were a great diet food?!” And for some people who are not predisposed to inflammation and joint pain, they are. But like tomatoes and bell peppers, potatoes are also a member of the nightshade family, and they contain a lot of Solanine too, especially in the peel.

# 4 Bell Peppers

Yep, it’s a nightshade, too. And so is eggplant by the way. So eat less and less bell peppers over the next few months and your joints will thank you.

# 5 Fried Foods

Fried foods are often cooked in oils that are high in saturated fat and omega-6 fatty acids, and both have been associated with increased inflammation and arthritis symptoms. Fried foods often have other ingredients—breading, salt, and added sugar—that create even more inflammation.

# 6 Trans Fats

Most of us wouldn’t recognize a trans-fat if it walked up and bit us. So look for anything labeled “partially hydrogenated vegetable oil”.

Eat More of These

Salmon, Mackerel, Herring, Sardines (plain) all contain omega-3 fatty acids that can reduce joint pain and shorten the duration of morning stiffness.

Nuts are rich in magnesium, zinc, vitamin-E and the immune booster alpha-linolenic

acid. They’re also an easy way to get the protein you need to keep your digestive tract 

healthy.

Bananas and Plantains are high in magnesium and potassium that can increase bone density. Magnesium may also alleviate arthritis symptoms.

Blueberries are full of antioxidants that protect your body against both inflammation and free radicals–molecules that can damage cells and organs.

Fresh Pineapple has been recommended by coaches to help heal sports injuries because it contains an enzyme called bromelain that helps reduce inflammation.

Green Tea is loaded with powerful antioxidants which help reduce inflammation and slow 

the process of cartilage deterioration.

Call, text or email me to schedule an appointment to learn the best ways of eating to reduce pain and increase mobility. Mention this blog and get my free guide, “Eating Well for Living Well”.

All the best!

Tyme