How Chronic Pain Is Associated With Dietary Patterns

How Chronic Pain Is Associated With Dietary Patterns is the focus of this article. Our body’s functionality is directly linked to what we eat since our diet is the fuel that keeps it going. The fact that having kava kava powder or chamomile tea helps reduce stress speaks a lot about the strong connection between our dietary habits and body. The healthier we eat, the better our life becomes.

Poor nutrition, namely unhealthy eating practices or malnutrition, can give rise to serious health concerns such as chronic pain. According to The International Association for the Study of Pain, pain that remains for more than three months is called chronic pain. However, it is more common among aging adults and far more prevalent among young people. Chronic back pain, mainly, has become a recurring musculoskeletal issue affecting an individual’s daily activities, resulting in physical and psychological repercussions.

Here is everything you need to know about the connection between our diet and chronic pain and what can be done to alleviate or avoid it:

How malnutrition increases the risk of chronic pain?

The term malnutrition refers to when a person is not eating enough, and the body’s nutritional needs are left unfulfilled. Being underweight is often linked to body pain and emotional distress. There is also clinical evidence of how those complaining about recurring knee and joint pain might suffer from sarcopenia, a type of malnutrition that results in muscle mass loss. It increases the risk of body dysfunctionality and falls.

Moreover, the pain can also reduce satiety associated with food and increase malnutrition risk. Lack of a healthy diet also induces stress, resulting in digestion issues and lack of nutrient absorption. Therefore, it is safe to say that both chronic pain and dietary habits affect each other equally.

https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/11/19/5950

How is Being Overweight Linked to Chronic Pain?

We all know that obesity and being overweight are alarming and highly condemned by healthcare providers. Obesity and different body dysfunctionalities coexist. They have a higher risk of depression and body pains and use the medication more than a normal-weight person. Diet impacts the proper functioning of our body. You might not see overweight people to be physically active. Sitting consistently and having poor body posture can lead to chronic pain in the back, knees, and legs.

Besides, unhealthy dietary patterns such as overeating junk food and increased caffeine or alcohol intake result in poor nutrition absorption. When your body does not get the needed calcium, potassium, and vitamin D, physical pain and emotional distress are bound to take a toll on your body. It can lead to significant health concerns such as osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, headaches, migraine, back pain, etc. The lack of calcium deficiency results in weak bones and muscular pain, which persists if you do not overcome the nutritional lacking timely.

https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/11/19/5950

What to do?

You won’t understand the importance of healthy lifestyle and eating habits until you experience its perks. Focus on your diet and get a diet chart designed if you are experiencing any serious health concerns. Avoid too many oily, sweet unhygienic or processed food items for some time. Try cutting down the alcohol and soft drink intake, as it does interfere with the body’s nutrient absorption. Look for food items rich in calcium, vitamin D, potassium, and magnesium to reduce the chances of physical pain and discomfort.

https://www.easyphysio.com/blog/the-relationship-between-nutrition-and-lower-back-pain

The Bottom Line:

We all have heard the clichés that health is well, an apple a day keeps the doctor away, and many others emphasize the importance of healthy dietary patterns. Make sure to pay attention to developing healthy eating habits. Working hard on your health will benefit you later in life.

Published by International Pain Foundation, iPain, TeamiPain