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15 Foods That Stop Inflammation, Detox The Body, And Relieve Pain All In One!
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Does it ever seem like most people you know are suffering from chronic pain, inflammation, or some type of chronic health problem? This is the sad state of affairs in America. No matter the original cause, health problems like these can be debilitating and cause hardships for you and your family.
When you constantly feel sick and tired, it affects your self-esteem, independence, can lead to depression, and zap all the pleasure that you might find in life.
Your doctor will only prescribe chemical filled toxic drugs that might cover up the problem and make you feel better, but they don’t address the real cause: inflammation and toxic overload in the body.
Mother Nature never fails us. She has made everything that we need to stay healthy if we would only take heed, stop eating crap, and start eating a natural, whole food diet. Of course, diet isn’t everything but it is the major healing force in the body.
If you are tired of feeling sick and tired, if you want to put an end to chronic pain, keep reading. The following list of 15 foods, spices, herbs, and other supplements will reduce your pain by cooling down that inflammation that is behind the pain, as well as removing toxic accumulation in the body.
1. Walnuts
Packed with omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E, these little powerhouses can help you stop inflammation in its tracks. All you need is about one ounce (a handful more or less) to get all the inflammation fighting power these tasty nuts contain. Try soaking your shelled walnuts in some water overnight before consuming them. This helps to activate the compounds inside nuts and makes them easier to digest.
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2. Turmeric
This is the absolute king of anti-inflammatory spices and is a must if you suffer from chronic pain. The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin, and it has been proven in study after study to help with the pain of fibromyalgia and arthritis. Most people find that 2 or 3 grams of a good quality curcumin supplement helps to clear the body of toxins and ease inflammation.
3. Olive Oil
This super healthy oil is one of the staples of the Mediterranean diet and offers tons of protection from inflammation. The journal Current Pharmaceutical Design published a study which found that olive oil contains a compound called oleocanthal, which offers almost the same anti-inflammatory benefits as ibuprofen. You can use olive oil as a detox food by adding the juice from 1 whole lemon (juice it with the peel on) 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil, and 1.5 cups of water. Drink once each day about 30 minutes before bedtime.
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4. Tart Cherries
Keep in mind that these are tart cherries we are talking about, not sweet cherries like Bing cherries. Studies have found that tart cherries are super effective at stopping both pain and inflammation when consumed daily. Cherries contain a compound called anthocyanins, which block pain signals and reduce inflammation. If you can find them, eat about 1 cup of fresh tart cherries each day. Otherwise, drink 8 ounces of pure, organic tart cherry juice each day.
5. Mung Bean Sprouts
For a rich source of flavonoids and amino acids, you can’t beat sprouted mung beans. These are super anti-inflammatory foods that can lower blood pressure, support a healthy metabolism, and help support the liver so that it can detox the body naturally. Sprout these beans at home so that you can be sure that you are getting fresh, organic, non-contaminated bean sprouts.
6. Ginger
Like turmeric, this spice has potent anti-inflammatory compounds. It can offer superior pain relief from muscle aches, joint pain, and abdominal pain, arthritis, and migraine headaches. One study has found that ginger supplements were just as effective as ibuprofen when it came to relieving menstrual pain.
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7. Berries
All berries are high in anti-inflammatory compounds. They are also high in fiber, which can help the body to detox via waste elimination. In general, colorful foods from nature are high in antioxidants and anthocyanins, which provide the body with antioxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory compounds. Although all types of berries are good for you, the best for fighting pain, inflammation, and for detox power, are blueberries, cranberries, strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries. If you really want to kick inflammation to the curb and detox at the same time, eat 1 cup of mixed berries every day.
8. Fish Oil
Cold water fatty fish such as salmon, trout, and halibut, are high in omega-3 fatty acids which stop inflammation in the cells of muscles as nerve endings. Omega-3 also improve blood circulation, which can offer support to the detoxifying organs of the body. Aim to eat 2 servings of the safest fish to eat each week. If you don’t enjoy fish, you can take a fish oil supplement. Vegan options are chia seeds, hemp seeds, flax seeds, and walnuts but these are not converted completely by the body.
9. Apples
Apples are high in a compound called quercetin, which is a polyphenol that fights inflammation in the body. For detoxifying, apples are hard to beat. They contain both pectin and fiber which naturally act like a broom, removing toxins throughout the digestive tract. The Journal of Neuroscience published a study which found that apples stop a type of inflammatory protein called tumor necrosis factor. Apples are also high in antioxidants which offer serious support for the organs of the body. Eat any variety you like, just be certain that you eat organic and you consume the peel.
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10. Pineapple
The bromelain in pineapple is a well-known reducer of inflammation and can help injuries heal more quickly. Bromelain is also known to improve the digestion process as well as stimulating the liver to make more bile, which helps the body detox itself. Eating just ½ a cup of fresh pineapple each day, or drinking 8 ounces of pure pineapple juice, has been shown in several studies to reduce inflammation and reduce pain.
11. Rosehips
There have been more than 30 studies that have come to the same conclusion: rosehips help to stop arthritis pain. In fact, one study found that subjects had such a drastic reduction in pain that they were able to reduce or stop their medication after just 3 weeks! After 3 months, the group that took rosehip supplements had significant reductions in joint stiffness, and severity of pain. Speak with your doctor about the proper dosage for your particular situation.
12. Red Grapes
Resveratrol is a powerful and unique antioxidant that is not found in very many foods, but it is plentiful in red grapes. (Also in red wine) This compound affects the COX-1 and COX-2 genes which stop inflammation and pain. Red grapes also inhibit the production of nitric oxide, which increases inflammation levels. Red grapes are also a natural diuretic, which means they can detox the body via urine. Eat 1 cup of red grapes each day for best results.
13. Magnesium
This mineral used to be plentiful in our food supply but due to modern day farming methods, this is no longer true. As a result, most Americans are deficient in this vital mineral. Magnesium supports muscle and nerve functions and helps to stop the pain from fibromyalgia, cramps, and migraine headaches. The problem is that magnesium supplements are very difficult for the body to absorb. You can try to consume more via dark chocolate, nuts, seeds, and beans. You can also try making your own magnesium infused lotion or oil to absorb this mineral through the skin or take a bath which contains Epsom salts three times each week so your body can absorb magnesium this way.
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14. Cabbage, Kale, and Broccoli
Studies have shown that cruciferous veggies such as cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, and kale have powerful anti-inflammatory agents called phenylethyl isothiocyanate and indole-3-carbinol. These compounds stop or reduce inflammation that comes from a common pathway. These vegetables also contain sulfur which naturally detoxifies the body.
15. Vitamin D
One study published in the British Society for Rheumatology, found that low levels of this vitamin are linked to widespread, chronic pain. One well-known symptom of a vitamin D deficiency is musculoskeletal pain. Unfortunately, vitamin D is only found in very few foods, such as cow liver and fish. You can get natural vitamin D from pure sunshine. Just 20 to 30 minutes of pure sunshine is enough to give you all the vitamin D you need to stop inflammation and pain. Some studies have even suggested that those who had the lowest levels of vitamin D had the highest risk of developing cancer. So get your sunshine on!
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There is no question that nutrition exceeds any medicine’s ability to treat or prevent inflammation, chronic pain, and detox the body. Add more of the above foods to your diet and watch how your body will respond with less pain, more energy, and energy to spare.
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