You probably know by now that quitting sugar can have a major impact on your weight, energy and mood.
But what’s is often overlooked as a reason for ditching the white stuff is the overwhelming effects it has on our musculoskeletal health.
As a physiotherapist who has worked with an abundance of chronic pain patients, I have seen firsthand the enormous improvements that changes in diet can have on chronic pain.
And the key link here is inflammation.
First off, not all inflammation is bad!
Inflammation can be the very thing that keeps you alive in the instance of an acute injury or infection.
It’s a protective strategy, involving an influx of inflammatory cells and chemicals to the area, to kill the foreign invader and promote healing.
But chronic inflammation is a problem.
The issue arises when this process sticks around long term. Now, the inflammatory cells and chemicals that were there to kill the foreign invader start to attack your body’s own cells.
If this occurs in the pancreas for example, you can end up with signs of diabetes.
In other places, inflammation can degrade your joint cartilage, leading to arthritis symptoms, or your spinal discs, leading to back pain.
The toll of chronic inflammation on the body.
Chronic inflammation can affect any organ or structure or body system. For this reason it may present in multiple ways. These include but are not limited to:
- High blood pressure.
- Headaches.
- Joint pain and aching muscles.
- Bloating, reflux and wind.
- Low energy, brain fog and memory loss.
- Allergies, eczema and acne.
- Insomnia, anxiety or depression.
- Low bone density or osteoporosis.
- Tremors, loss of balance and pins and needles.
- Metabolic syndrome, obesity or diabetes.
What’s sugar got to do with it?
There are many foods that can cause chronic inflammation in our bodies. And this is very individual to every person.
But there is one overwhelming item that is always guaranteed to have significant and fast results on chronic pain when cut out of the diet. SUGAR!
When we eat something containing sugar, our blood sugar levels rise. In response to this, our pancreas produces a rush of insulin and this act in itself activates pro-inflammatory cells.
Sugar also contributes to an increase in free radicals and pro-inflammatory cytokines. These are chemicals that kick off inflammation in the body.
The problem lies in the fact that these days, we tend to eat way more sugar that we’re designed to. So the problem perpetuates, and our bodies become chronically inflamed.
Don’t fan the flames!
To reduce inflammation with your food choices, I would recommend the following:
- Eliminating sugar and processed carbohydrates.
- Reducing omega-6 fats, such as vegetable oil.
- Increasing omega-3s from sources like fish, seaweed, and flaxseed.
- Looking after your gut with probiotics and fibre.
But don’t just take my word for it. If you suffer chronic pain, give the above a try and see for yourself!
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