anti-inflammatory diet for chronic pain?

jamie_lee80
jamie_lee80 Posts: 176 Member
edited November 2024 in Food and Nutrition
My mom has many health problems and chronic pain. For her age of 52, she is always miserable and missing out on life because of this. Yesterday she went to a new doctor who ran about every blood test possible on her. His conclusion, she has a lot of inflammation all through her body and of course gave her a few new meds to try. I know from dealing with this for so many years with her that these meds will be a temporary fix, but will mainly put her in a fog and not really help her. My mom is also pretty overweight and can not exercise because quite frankly she has enough trouble just walking around.

I've been reading online about anti-inflamation diets. At this point, with none of the medication helping and her dealing with this for years and years I am thinking, why not? Why not try to heal herself with making changes to her diet. Has anyone had any success with this? What are some things you avoid/things you try to incorporate?

From what i've read so far she should maybe try to avoid gluten and dairy to see if that helps and add things like fish, raw nuts and seeds, healthy oils, mainly whole foods?

Any input would be greatly appreciated! I hate seeing my mom suffer like this, especially at such a young age!

Replies

  • BrownTown14
    BrownTown14 Posts: 17 Member
    jamie_lee80 wrote: »
    My mom has many health problems and chronic pain. For her age of 52, she is always miserable and missing out on life because of this. Yesterday she went to a new doctor who ran about every blood test possible on her. His conclusion, she has a lot of inflammation all through her body and of course gave her a few new meds to try. I know from dealing with this for so many years with her that these meds will be a temporary fix, but will mainly put her in a fog and not really help her. My mom is also pretty overweight and can not exercise because quite frankly she has enough trouble just walking around.

    I've been reading online about anti-inflamation diets. At this point, with none of the medication helping and her dealing with this for years and years I am thinking, why not? Why not try to heal herself with making changes to her diet. Has anyone had any success with this? What are some things you avoid/things you try to incorporate?

    From what i've read so far she should maybe try to avoid gluten and dairy to see if that helps and add things like fish, raw nuts and seeds, healthy oils, mainly whole foods?

    Any input would be greatly appreciated! I hate seeing my mom suffer like this, especially at such a young age!

    Yes. My friends, family and I have had success. You're definitely on the right track. Keep reading and reading, there is a lot of information out there in books, but more importantly in the literature (peer-reviewed journal articles).

    Its taken me years to go through much of it.
  • gothchiq
    gothchiq Posts: 4,590 Member
    People have mentioned some success with taking capsules of cumin every day.
  • jamie_lee80
    jamie_lee80 Posts: 176 Member
    Thank you!

    @BrownTown14 do you have any literature that you recommend? There is so much information.

    @gothchiq I have heard of people using cumin. I think its worth a shot. Looks like i'm going to be putting together a care package to send out to my mom
  • anglyn1
    anglyn1 Posts: 1,802 Member
    I have a type inflammatory arthritis and I have found that artificial sweeteners seems to cause flare-ups for me. I'm not sure why and there is certainly no evidence that links the two but for what it's worth eliminating them helped me so I thought I'd mention it.

    Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties and is available in supplement form. It's also good to cook with if you like the taste. Ginger is also good for inflammation. Teas, especially green and white.
  • gurmitkgill
    gurmitkgill Posts: 1 Member
    gothchiq wrote: »
    People have mentioned some success with taking capsules of cumin every day.

    I think you mean cucumin (from turmeric)
  • anglyn1
    anglyn1 Posts: 1,802 Member
    I wanted to add that even though it's really hard for you mom she should try taking short walks daily. Even starting with just a few minutes could help! I've found that when I don't walk my joints get so much stiffer and the pain is worse. So even though it's uncomfortable taking those first steps I feel better in the long run!
  • Tried30UserNames
    Tried30UserNames Posts: 561 Member
    I found both the GAPS diet and the Paleo Autoimmune Protocol (thepaleomom.com and phoenixhelix.com are great sites to explain AIP) very healing, but both are pretty extreme, but living with chronic pain is pretty extreme, too. I'd already made a lot of changes before I started either. If she's beginning at a standard American diet, just reading about those diets will probably make her throw in the towel in frustration.

    I would recommend cutting out processed foods, eliminating gluten (but just get rid of the gluten, don't replace it with a bunch of overpriced and unhealthy gluten free junk food), and possibly eliminating dairy and eggs. Add in some healthy animal fats and get rid of the soy/canola oil. I wouldn't do all that at once; take it one step at a time.

    For myself, my pain is caused by two things: low thyroid and gluten. I can eat some types of dairy, but not others. I do poorly with nuts. I do much better when I eat eggs than when I don't.

  • gothchiq
    gothchiq Posts: 4,590 Member
    ya sorry I'm a derp. Turmeric capsules.
  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
    Cooking at home instead of eating restaurant or packaged foods. For example, lots of vegetables grilled, baked, broiled, or steamed.
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