It begins in October: an overabundance of candies found sporadically around the house. It continues until the end of the year: Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and Christmas provide plentiful meals with leftovers for weeks! During these three months, most of us are consuming more sugar than usual. Aside from the obvious weight gain, our bodies may undergo negative sugar effects such as fatigue, stress, irritability, mood swings, difficulty sleeping, and joint pain. Even under a watchful eye of pie, soda, and candy, sugar hides in many foods and drinks that we consume daily.
Americans consume between 100 and 180 pounds of sugar annually, according the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). Southwest Spine and Pain physicians believe that pain management comes in many forms. Patients who suffer from chronic pain or joint pain can take an active role in their recovery by altering their diets. Eliminating or reducing sugar intake can have a great effect on pain levels.
Sugar hides in the foods and drinks we eat. Scientists say that only 29 pounds of the annual 100-180 pounds of consumer sugar is found directly from the sugar bowl. Refined white sugar, brown sugar, raw sugar, high fructose corn syrup, fructose, dextrose, molasses, honey, and simple carbohydrates are all contributors or sugar.
Inflammation is the body’s natural reaction to irritation or injury. When our bodies take in too much sugar, the body becomes flooded with insulin and stress hormones. This process triggers inflammation and causes stress and pain on the tissues and joints. Your body will have less inflammation the more you cut our sugar.
To reduce inflammation and joint pain, there needs to be concrete dietary changes:
- Limit intake of simple carbohydrates- breads, cereals, fruit juices, pancakes, pasta, popcorn
- Avoid nightshades- white potatoes, eggplant, tomatoes, peppers
- Consume soda and alcoholic beverages in moderation
- Add more complex carbohydrates- apples, asparagus, beans, broccoli, blackberries, honeydew melon, peaches, spinach
- Use an array of fruits and veggies of all shapes and colors
- Add more protein- salmon, cod, halibut, tuna, turkey, chicken, lean beef
- Use soy products- eggs, low fat cottage cheese, milk, and yogut
Many of these foods are filled with numerous nutrients that are beneficial to the whole body. Reduce joint pain and improve your life now by eliminating sugar from your diet. For more information about chronic pain management strategies, contact a Southwest Spine and Pain specialist today!
If chronic pain is impacting your life, don't wait to schedule an appointment at Southwest Spine and Pain Center. With four locations and same day appointments, the pain management specialists at Southwest Spine and Pain Center are dedicated to helping those who suffer from chronic pain live the life they want to! To schedule an appointment, visit our locations tab!
The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.
©Southwest Spine and Pain Center, 2013
©Medical Marketing Solutions, 2013