NUTRITION & CHRONIC PAIN

• The foods that we eat can determine how well your body Is effected by inflammation

• Inflammation will affect your immune system and can damage healthy cells and organs.

• Inflammation can cause more pain in muscles, tissues and joints.

• Chronic inflammation can also increase risk for heart disease, diabetes, cancer and even Alzheimer’s disease.

• The strongest evidence suggests foods rich in a group of antitoxicants known as polyphenols can have an anti-inflammatory effect that helps with painful flare ups.

• These foods include many of the Mediterranean diet staples such as whole fruits especially berries, dark green leafy vegetables, nuts, legumes and whole grains.

• Bad foods include processed junk foods with low nutritional value including sodas, simple sugars, high fructose corn syrup, processed meats, white bread and white pasta.

• Think of your plate in two ways: half of your plate should be filled with whole grains like whole wheat bread, whole grain pasta, brown rice with health proteins such as fish, poultry, beans and nuts.

• The other half should be mostly vegetables along with some fruit.

• Use healthy oils like olive oil and canola oil