Relieve Pain With Proper Sports Nutrition

Any athlete, including weekend warriors, knows that pain is just part of the process. Most athletes rest for a short while and turn to their medicine cabinets. Many athletes do not realize that the answer to their pain woes lies in their kitchens

Injury Aid

Injuries are classified as either chronic or acute. A chronic injury is a long-lasting injury often resulting from repetitive motions like the abuse the knees take in running.

An acute injury is a short-term injury often resulting from a one-time occurrence, such as a sprained ankle. These usually need to be examined by a doctor right away. Once medically treated, dietary changes can be used to help in reducing pain and inflammation.

It is the chronic sports injuries that can often benefit from dietary changes.

Inflammation-Reducing Foods

Inflammation is a type of localized reaction that occurs due to injury, infection or irritation. It can cause swelling, redness and pain. Omega-3 fatty acids have been found to help in reducing inflammation. You can easily add these to your diet by eating more herring, tuna and salmon. Some vegetable oils and nuts contain it too. Other anti-inflammatory foods include flaxseed oil, dark green leafy vegetables, flaxseeds, walnuts and canola oil.

As you increase your omega-3 intake, you should be decreasing your omega-6 intake to reduce pain and inflammation. Foods rich in omega-6 include processed foods; egg yolks; cooking oils, such as safflower, cottonseed, sunflower, corn and soybean; and meat, specifically organ meat.

Other foods may also increase inflammation as well and this includes those in the nightshade family. Some popular nightshade vegetables include tomatoes, eggplant and potatoes. They contain solanine, a chemical alkaloid that has been shown to trigger pain in some people.

You should also work to significantly reduce your sugar intake. High-sugar diets have been associated with a variety of health issues, such as obesity, inflammation, diabetes and other chronic health conditions. To start eliminating sugars, it is easiest to start with the biggest culprits, including sodas and other sugary drinks, pre-sweetened cereals, pastries and candies.

Recommended Intake

In general, a well-rounded healthy diet will include a good omega-6 fatty acid to omega-3 fatty acid ratio. You should be getting more omega-3 fatty acids. You can do this with dietary changes and by taking a supplement.

Before taking any supplements make sure to talk to your doctor to ensure it is safe.

Resources

Spine Universe: Tips to Maintain a Healthy Diet