10 Safe, natural pain relief measures

Sadly, for millions of people, pain is a daily way of life.  About one out of three Americans reports suffering from pain on a regular basis.

When it comes to pain relief, most people choose NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) or acetaminophen (TylenolÒ).

Since they’re so widely used, the average person thinks that these drugs are relatively safe….but that’s far from true.

One of the most common side effects of NSAIDs is gastrointestinal bleeding.  In addition, studies are linking NSAIDS to liver damage--patients using NSAIDS daily have shown elevated liver enzymes that are twice the normal range. 

Acetaminophen has also been strongly linked to liver damage, and the FDA has even issued a warning about doses exceeding 325 mg.

In addition, researchers estimate that eight to ten percent of all kidney failure cases are directly attributed to acetaminophen use.   

And most recently, a study out of Ohio State University has shown that acetaminophen use can blunt your ability to feel emotions!

Safe, natural answers

The good news is there are many safe, natural ways to get relief from pain!

Here are 10 of the best that you can try:

Turmeric:  Turmeric is a potent anti-inflammatory spice that is commonly used in Indian cooking and has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries.  It’s available as a supplement and you can also add powdered turmeric to eggs, rice, greens, soups and roasted vegetables.

Vitamin D: Lacking Vitamin D has been linked to chronic pain, and since it’s a common deficiency, it’s no surprise that so many people are in pain.   But you can easily help address a vitamin D shortage through supplementation with a top-shelf product like Dr. Salerno’s Vitamin D-K Factor! 

 

Vitamin C:  Vitamin C is another noteworthy anti-inflammatory and has been shown to reduce pain and help people recover from sports injuries.  Supplements are widely available plus vitamin C is found in citrus fruit, strawberries, tomatoes, broccoli, cabbage, greens and bell peppers.

Glucosamine:  Glucosamine supplements been shown to be very helpful with joint pain.  Some products also contain chondroitin which is fine, but glucosamine is the star of the show.

Omega-3 essential fatty acids: Omega-3 EFAs are Nature’s primary anti-inflammatory and being low in them can devastatingly painful consequences.  You can help ensure your body has what it needs with an outstanding quality supplement like VitalMega-3.

Water:  Dehydration can cause muscle weakness, and when the muscles surrounding and supporting your bones and joints are involved, that can lead to chronic pain.  Strive to drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of a day and see what a difference it can make in your level of pain.

Lipoic acid (also known as alpha-lipoic acid): This superstar antioxidant nutrient has been shown to help relieve diabetic nerve pain as well as protect against stroke, heart disease and cataracts.

Vitamin E: Another impressive antioxidant, vitamin E relieves symptoms of arthritis and other inflammatory diseases.  Look for vitamin E in foods like almonds, spinach, greens, bell peppers and blueberries.

Flavonoids: Found in abundance in foods like citrus fruits, apples, onions, red grapes and berries, flavonoids can reduce inflammation and boost immune function.

Magnesium: Magnesium has been shown to control NMDA, which is a neurochemical associated with pain. It is also Nature’s muscle relaxant, helping to calm muscle cramps and spasms and improve circulation.  In addition to supplements, magnesium is found in greens, spinach, broccoli and summer squash.  It can also be absorbed through the skin when Epsom salts are added to a bath. 

Put the power of Nature to work against your pain, and I’m sure you’ll see a difference in how you feel very soon!