Natural Pain Relief

Thanks once again for the many emails that you have sent asking and praying for my father.
We are so thankful. My father continues to improve.:) He has a very long way to go but he is working very hard to get back into his garden!

Below is some great information for all of you: Pass it on!

The most common remedies for runner's pain management are rest and anti-inflammatories, like ibuprofen and acetaminophen, which often have unwanted side effects, like upset stomach. But natural pain relief alternatives exist, and may be no further than you kitchen pantry.

Natural remedies, which often have no side effects and get you back on the road quickly, are worth a try for those with less severe pain. On the other hand, aggressive persistent pain accompanied by swelling and joint pain, requires a visit to your doctor.

Do your homework and read labels carefully because many herbal remedies have no standards in terms of potency and/or quality. Make sure you check with your Doc. or pharmacist to see if there is a problem mixing the two.

TURMERIC
An ancient spice native to Southwest Asia, turmeric is used to make curry and gives mustard its yellow color. Most runners find a teaspoon of powered turmeric taken twice daily helps with minor aches and pains attributed to muscle overuse. Add the pure powdered form to food to benefit from the active component, curcumin. The usual dosage is 400 to 600 milligrams three times a day.
Health food stores sell a combination of curcumin with bromelain, an enzyme derived from pineapple that enhances curcumin's adsorption and also has anti-inflammatory qualities of its own.
FISH OILS
Polyunsaturated fatty acids and fish oils restrain pro-inflammatory prostaglandin production, which leads to pain. Fish oils are the highest source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for cardiovascular health also aid in reducing inflammation. Oily, cold-water fish such as salmon, sardines, macherel and herring are excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids.
Dr. Andrew Weil in EATING WELL FOR OPTIMUM HEALTH recommends two to three servings of fatty fish per week and more if possible. He doesn't recommend taking extracted fish oils in supplemental form because they're unsaturated, oxidize quickly and may have more toxic contamination.
CHERRIES
For centuries, bing sweet cherries have been used to treat pain because of their natural rally occurring phyto-nutrients. According to research by the Department if Nutrition, University of California at Davis, cherries can lower circulating concentrations of inflammation markers in healthy men and women. Studies showed that after cherries were consumed for 28 days, circulating concentrations of C-reactive protein (CPR), an inflammation indicator, dropped in healthy persons.
GINGER
Known as an aid for stomach upsets, ginger is also a powerful anti-inflammatory, which ultra runners have found to be extremely helpful at high elevations because it neutralizes stomach acids. It's available in food or capsule form. A suggested dosage is one twice daily.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS:
* Add turmeric to soups, tea and vegetable juice
* Sardines (omega-3's) are a good topper on a spaghetti dish or a seafood salad.
* Eat dried cherries as a snack, and frozen smoothie or buy fresh cherries and add them to fruit salads.


Have a great day

Lisa