Understanding and Changing your Diet to Optimize Gut Health and Address Inflammation

Nutrition is one of the fundamental principles for reducing pain and living pain free. The foods we eat have a direct effect on our pain and can aggravate inflammation. By understanding our own nutritional needs and possible sensitivities, we can significantly reduce inflammation, have better digestion (and detoxification) and control our pain management. How does food interfere with our pain ? Additives and sugars found in packaged and processed foods can directly interefe with our body's ability to function optimally. The body views these foods as an "intruder" and therefore creates an inflammatory cascade against it and can negatively effect the body's immune system. You may experience sensitivities to certain foods that may not be overtly obvious. You can have a sensitivity to a food and not be allergic to it. Some of the more common food sensitivities include: wheat/gluten, dairy, sugar and eggs. These foods contain proteins that we may not be breaking down or digesting efficiently and therefore can create numerous symptoms. One of the most effective things you can do for pain management is to understand how to find your food sensitivities. By doing so, you will begin to consume a diet that is individualized for you, begin healing from your gut and reduce inflammation and pain. Signs and symptoms of food sensitivities: - pain and/or inflammation - migraines and/or headaches - digestive complaints (gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn) - skin irritations (eczema, acne, psoriasis, itchy skin) - anxiety - irritability - sleep disturbances