Common Ailments and the Foods that Bring Relief

Many ailments can be cured by food instead of relieved by medications. Food as you may know, contains vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that have natural properties to affect the body systems in various ways that when a match is made between ailment and the properties of the food, relief can be found. Understanding the connection between food and the response our body has to particular types of food can bring relief for pain, cramps, fatigue, being cranky and irritable, bad breath, heartburn, gas and constipation, just to name a few examples.

Headaches - Migraines

Eating fatty fish such as salmon, contain long-chain omega-3 fatty acids that can lower the prostaglandins (hormone-like chemicals) that are able to induce inflammation and the pain experienced by migrain sufferers. A study conducted by a professor of Brown University, Zeev Harel, M.D., found that teens who took 1.25 grams of fish oil daily for a period of 2 months had few headaches, and those they did have were less severe and did not last as long as they usually would have prior to taking fish oil.

Foods that relieve pain

Berries may help to slow down the joint wear that you body experiences as it ages. Berries are high in vitamin C. Good berries to select are blueberries, raspberries and strawberries. The Boston University Medical Center did a study of arthritis sufferers and their vitamin C intake. They found that those who had consumed foods that had more vitamin C than others experienced less strain and injuries to their joints. It is also a known fact that vitamin C plays a crucial role in the formation of collagen. Collagen is needed for cartilage and bone formation. So eat your berries to decrease your risk for pain.

To boost the chance of having enough vitamin C in your food choices you should strive for 120 milligrams each day. You will get that much in 2 oranges. Other foods besides berries and oranges that are rich in vitamin C are broccoli and cantaloupes.

Heartburn, Gas & Constipation

Who hasn't suffered from heartburn? The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is the valve that is supposed to keep stomach acid from backing up into your esophagus. When it does it causes that burning sensation you feel in your upper chest and throat regions. Use ginger when preparing foods because ginger, according to naturopathic physician and associate professor of Bastyr University in Seattle may help to strengthen the LES.

Gas can get stuck in our gastrointestinal tract and peppermint and fennel seeds can help to relax bowel muscles. To be effective it would take about 1/2 teaspoon of fennel seeds (eaten after a meal) or one cup of your favorite peppermint tea.

Who hasn't ever felt the effects of constipation? Most of us know that we should eat foods that contain fiber to help us stay regular. Some fiber-rich foods are apples and pears. It also helps to drink plenty of cold water. If you hate drinking water, it also helps to eat foods that have a high water content, like grapes, melons, pears, and tomatoes. A good amount of daily fiber to shoot for is approximately 20 to 35 grams daily. If you are not presently getting enough fiber, than it is wise to increase the amount you eat of fiber-rich foods slowly as going from not enough fiber to too much too fast can cause you to experience stomach discomfort. Water is very important when you are increasing fiber content. Take what you normally consume in water and add 2 glasses to that amount (during the time you are increasing your fiber).