Did you know that food can help relieve pain? Find out how a plant-based diet can help you manage and treat chronic pain.
November 2022. This article is independently written by Shelby Golding. All opinions given are hers. Shelby has been certified as a personal trainer and nutritional specialist since 2007. In 2008, she found her passion for writing about these topics and hasn't looked back.
Plant-based diets are becoming more popular for their myriad of health benefits, including weight loss, lower blood pressure, and decreased risk of heart disease and some forms of cancer. In addition, new research suggests that plant-based diets might also help relieve chronic pain. Keep reading to learn how this can help you.
How Plants Fight Inflammation
When you have chronic pain, your body is likely experiencing constant inflammation, with your immune system on high alert, looking for foreign invaders. This causes your body to produce more white blood cells and other chemicals, leading to swelling and pain. While some inflammation is necessary for healing, chronic inflammation can prevent recovery and worsen your pain.
Certain plant compounds have anti-inflammatory effects that can help lessen the impact of chronic inflammation and provide relief from pain. For example, anthocyanins are pigments that give fruits and vegetables their red, blue, and purple colors. They’re also powerful antioxidants that can help reduce inflammation. Curcumin is another compound found in plants with anti-inflammatory properties, and it's the active ingredient in turmeric, a yellow spice commonly used in Indian cuisine.
Certain plant compounds have anti-inflammatory effects that can help lessen the impact of chronic inflammation and provide relief from pain. For example, anthocyanins are pigments that give fruits and vegetables their red, blue, and purple colors. They’re also powerful antioxidants that can help reduce inflammation. Curcumin is another compound found in plants with anti-inflammatory properties, and it's the active ingredient in turmeric, a yellow spice commonly used in Indian cuisine.
A 2017 study found that a diet rich in anthocyanins and other flavonoids was associated with a lower risk of chronic inflammation and pain. The study’s authors believe that these plant compounds help by reducing the production of inflammatory chemicals in the body.
Another study found that curcumin was more effective at reducing pain and inflammation than ibuprofen, a common over-the-counter pain reliever. This study's authors believe that curcumin works by inhibiting the activity of inflammatory enzymes.
While more research is needed to confirm these findings, these studies strongly suggest that plant compounds can positively impact chronic inflammation and pain.
A Plant-Based Diet for Chronic Pain Relief
Now that you know how food affects inflammation, you might be wondering what type of diet is best for reducing inflammation and relieving chronic pain. A growing body of evidence suggests that a plant-based diet may be ideal for managing chronic pain.
In addition to reducing inflammation, plant-based diets have many other health benefits, including lower blood pressure, improved heart health, and weight loss. And switching to a plant-based diet may help relieve your chronic pain while improving your overall health.
If you're interested in trying a plant-based diet to help relieve your chronic pain, you can do a few things to get started. First, try to eat a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans. This will help ensure that you're getting a variety of different plant compounds, which can provide the maximum benefit.
Second, experiment with different recipes and cooking methods to find what you like best. Plant-based eating offers endless possibilities, so you're sure to find something that suits your tastes.
In addition to reducing inflammation, plant-based diets have many other health benefits, including lower blood pressure, improved heart health, and weight loss. And switching to a plant-based diet may help relieve your chronic pain while improving your overall health.
If you're interested in trying a plant-based diet to help relieve your chronic pain, you can do a few things to get started. First, try to eat a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans. This will help ensure that you're getting a variety of different plant compounds, which can provide the maximum benefit.
Second, experiment with different recipes and cooking methods to find what you like best. Plant-based eating offers endless possibilities, so you're sure to find something that suits your tastes.
Finally, don't be afraid to supplement your diet with pain-relieving plant compounds. For example, you can take curcumin supplements or add anthocyanin-rich foods like berries to your diet.
While there’s no guarantee that a plant-based diet will relieve your chronic pain, it’s worth a try. Not only could it help reduce your pain, but it’s also a healthy way to eat.
The Bottom Line About Chronic Pain and Plant Based Diets
If you're struggling with chronic pain, making some dietary changes might help. Plant-based diets are rich in anti-inflammatory compounds that can help lessen the impact of chronic inflammation and provide relief from pain.
In addition to consuming more plants, try avoiding processed foods, sugars, saturated fats, and refined carbs, as these can contribute to inflammation. But, of course, you should always talk to your doctor before making any significant changes to your diet.
Change Your Diet to Relieve Chronic Pain
We hope you learned a little bit about the benefits of plant-based diets for chronic pain relief. A plant-based diet might be the key to relieving your chronic pain – but don't take our word for it! Talk to your doctor about whether a plant-based diet is right for you and try incorporating more plants into your meals to see if you notice a difference in your chronic pain levels.
And as you work to manage your chronic pain, use your Kailo Pain Patch to manage it! Just apply it near the site of pain and enjoy a sigh of relief. An exciting clinical study recently showed that 97% of patients preferred Kailo over oral medication. Who can argue with that?
Disclaimer: Kailo should not be used if you have a pacemaker or if you are pregnant. Always consult your doctor or health care professional before using Kailo.
And as you work to manage your chronic pain, use your Kailo Pain Patch to manage it! Just apply it near the site of pain and enjoy a sigh of relief. An exciting clinical study recently showed that 97% of patients preferred Kailo over oral medication. Who can argue with that?
Disclaimer: Kailo should not be used if you have a pacemaker or if you are pregnant. Always consult your doctor or health care professional before using Kailo.
