Anti-Inflammatory Foods for Neck Pain in Vacaville

Chronic inflammation and chronic neck pain typically go together with each other. If your neck pain has been persistent for several even though you are getting treatment in Vacaville for it, perhaps it is time you look at an anti-inflammatory diet.

How some foods can help reduce inflammation in Vacaville

The normal metabolic process of the body includes the creation of free radicals, wherein they are known for being highly reactive atoms or molecules because of its impaired electron looking to become paired. Having a lot of free radicals floating around to steal electrons from nearby molecules can cause them to become imbalanced. This imbalance is known as oxidative stress and it can contribute to chronic inflammation within the body.

Antioxidants are molecules that can remain stable while also donating electrons that can neutralize a free radical. When these antioxidants neutralize a lot of free radicals, it can reduce the damage and inflammation that took place in your body. In short, foods that are rich in antioxidants can neutralize the number of free radicals roaming around while reducing inflammation in the process.

How to start an anti-inflammatory diet

The best thing about an anti-inflammatory diet is that you have many choices to choose from. Instead of focusing on a strict list of recipes, you should try considering certain basic guidelines:

• Choose healthier fats - It is recommended that you go for unsaturated fats like those found in almonds, flaxseed, walnuts, fatty fish, olive oil, and other foods. Saturated fats are more inflammatory, which includes foods like butter and cheese.
• Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables - Eating at least 1 serving of vegetables in every meal, and 2 servings of fruit each day is recommended. Make sure to include a wide variety of colors so that you'll have a different spectrum of antioxidants.
• Limit meats - Lean meats like chicken and turkey are less inflammatory compared to read meats like beef. Grass-fed beef is less inflammatory, and a better choice compared to cows raised in standard feedlots and fed corn.
• Choose whole grains - Eat whole grains instead of refined grains. You should opt for whole-grain versions of bread, pasta, and brown rice since they're more nutritious and less inflammatory.
• Eat fish at least twice a week - Omega-3 fatty acids fish are known to have anti-inflammatory properties. This includes salmons and sardines to name a few.
• Get more protein from legumes - Beans, lentils, nuts, and peas can be included in the diet as high-antioxidant sources of protein.
• Avoid heavily processed foods - Foods that are processed to last longer have less nutrition and contain more inflammatory-causing chemicals. You should limit or avoid eating prepackaged meals, processed meats, refined sugars, commercial baked goods, and numerous others.

The potential benefits of following an anti-inflammatory diet may not show up until a couple of weeks. It is important that you remain consistent in following it and commit yourself to that diet for more than a month before concluding if anti-inflammatory foods are providing you with a positive effect.

Efficacy of anti-inflammatory diets

As of now, there is no high-quality scientific studies that shows that chronic neck pain can be reduced with the help of an anti-inflammatory diet. However, there is some evidence showing that anti-inflammatory foods can manage inflammation and lower certain types of pain like those experienced from obesity or various types of arthritis. The DASH and Mediterranean diet are both well-known for including anti-inflammatory foods and have been linked to a lower risk of diseases and provide better heart health. The Mediterranean diet can also benefit people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.