HEALTHY LIVING

by

Eva Warren

Living Without Pain

Is it true that with age comes aches, pains, and all of its misery? It may depend on how well we take care of ourselves. How well have you eaten over the decades? Did you get in those five servings of vegetables every day? How about fruits, protein and whole grains? Did you get enough sleep? Did you exercise on a daily basis? All of this comes into account when misery becomes obvious in the human body. If you do end up with a painful body, did you know there are healthful ways to overcome that pain?

It may seem like the easiest way to deal with pain is to take painkilling medications. These drugs suppress both the good and bad prostaglandins which fight inflammation in our bodies. One type of prostaglandin blocks inflammation in our body while another type actually causes the inflammation. Even though you may get relief these pain killers only make matters worse. Since there are natural approaches to healing the body of pain we will consider those.

Certain enzymes taken on an empty stomach have powerful anti-inflammatory effects. Most enzymes are taken with meals to aid in the digestion of food. We will look at those for anti-inflammatory responses taken on an empty stomach, between meals.

Bromelain is an enzyme from pineapples which helps to stimulate the production of prostaglandins and also helps digest protein. Dr. Susan Lark states that bromelain is better than anti-inflammatory drugs for many reasons. There are no side effects from bromelain. Bromelain blocks only the bad prostaglandins, allowing the good prostaglandins to do their job. Bromelain may enhance the recovery from stress injuries and help enable the body to recover fully. The pain and inflammation and healing time involved in oral surgery may be reduced by using bromelain. Bromelain dissolves fibrin clots in the blood and lymph involved in a wound, thereby improving circulation with less inflammation. The healing process may be quicker using bromelain due to the production of enzymes bromelain stimulates. Recommended amounts of bromelain of 500 mgs should be taken two to four times daily. 1000mg of vitamin C enhances bromelian’s effectiveness within the body.

Pancreatic enzymes come from the pancreas of animals. These enzymes have been used to treat injuries external and internal. If the internal injuries are due to fungal, bacterial, viral or from allergic reactions pancreatic enzymes may be very helpful in the healing process. Pancreatic enzymes have even be used to heal people with cancer as well. Recommended amounts of pancreatic enzymes are 500mg, taken four times a day.

Papain comes from the unripened papaya fruit. For minor surgeries, sports injuries, pain, and muscle spasms it has been shown to work very well. Studies done with sports injuries show pain is relieved and healing is quicker. Recommended amounts are 300 mgs taken four times a day.

Certain foods are loaded with enzymes such as raw vegetables especially carrots and celery. Melons, pineapple and papayas are fruits with naturally occurring enzymes. Sprouted seeds and grains and fermented foods such as cottage cheese, olives and yogurt are rich in enzymes. Actually all raw foods are full of naturally occurring enzymes.

Systemic enzymes are also available. Often pancreatic enzymes and papain are combined with other important nutrients to heal inflammation. Source Natural has one such combination called Rejuvenzyme.

This nutritional product contains a blend of proteolytic systemic enzymes. These enzymes support smooth efficient circulation of the blood and nutrients. Minor occasional pain from daily activities may be reduced. Rejuvenzyme is a whole body systemic enzyme combination which supports the immune system, the joints and the heart.

Certain nutrients may be very beneficial to preventing pain and inflammation. Essential fatty acids, curcumin, quercetin and MSM are a few of these nutrients you may take in supplement form.

Essential fatty acids are found in flax oil , fish oil, evening primrose oil and borage oil. Inflammatory conditions can be minimized by including some of these oils in your diet. It is fairly easy to include ground flax, liquid flax or capsules of flax oil in a supplemental program. Most health stores will have all three in stock. If you don’t eat salmon or other cold water fish, fish oil capsules can be taken as well. Borage and evening primrose oil comes in capsules also. The omega-3 fatty acids in these oils are converted in our bodies to anti-inflammatory prostaglandins.

Curcumin is a substance which comes from the rhizome of turmeric. Many cooks are familiar with the turmeric spice used for cooking. Tumeric has beneficial effects as well in our health programs.

However, curcumin slows down inflammation by blocking the pro-inflammatory reactions when inflammation is present. In a study curcumin was as effective as cortisone in controlling inflammation.

Recommended amounts to take would be 500mg, three times a day. It may be taken with bromelain for better digestion.

Quercetin is a supplement from blue-green algae and onions. It has the highest form of ant-inflammatory activity of all flavonoids. Quercetin also maintains the resilience and strength of fragile capillaries. The body’s inflammatory response to allergy, arthritis, trauma, infection and other autoimmune diseases may be reduced by supplementing with quercetin. It is recommended to take from 300-600mg. One or more times daily. It is better digested when taken with bromelain.

Methylsulfonylmethane, otherwise known as MSM , has many anti-inflammatory uses. MSM has been shown to help even chronic, degenerative diseases, including arthritis. Skin conditions, food allergies and vaginitis have responded to supplementation with MSM. Athletes have long used this supplement to prevent inflammation from developing. Recommended amounts to take are 250 mg, three times daily. It can be found in combination with glucosamine and chondroitin for even better protection especially for athletes.

Pain free later years can be yours with a little help from good foods, good nutrients, and supplements, regular sleep and most of all good gentle exercise. Take the time to take care of your health. Once it is lost it may be very hard to regain.

This information is not meant to diagnose, prescribe or treat in any way. Until next time I am wishing for you the best in health. ,

---------

Eva is a graduate of the American Institute of Holistic Theology and practices as a Doctor of Naturology. You may reach her at littleherbshoppe@hotmail.com

------------
HOME