Joint Pain

I hear it said over and over, “My knees hurt; my hips hurt; my ankles hurt; my back hurts; my whole body hurts.” Then comes – “I guess that is part of aging – I’m just getting old. Because my joints hurt…the doctor tells me I have arthritis.”

All words that end in ‘itis’ means that there is inflammation somewhere in the body. Most joint pain is – or so it is said by the doctors, is experienced because of arthritis, of which there are two forms, osteoarthritis (the most common form), and rheumatoid arthritis. Other forms of joint pain include gout, lupus, or fibromyalgia.

For years, folks have been told that arthritis–joint pain is simply a sign of aging. I find that many folks thrive on that belief…it gives them something to talk about with their aging peers and a reason to go to the doctor. It has also been believed that it cannot be fixed or reversed. Today, this is a hot topic of many conversations.

What one must realize, is, that to experience joint pain is to experience inflammation. Yes, joint pain is a product of inflammation. To control inflammation is to control joint pain. And AGAIN – the safest, most powerful and consistent way is an anti-inflammatory DIET. However, doctors are constantly treating joint pain with ibuprofen, acetaminophen and a myriad of prescription pain medications. These over-the-counter and prescription meds have risks (side effects) which can include gastrointestinal damage, anemia, hearing loss, hypertension, cardiac arrest, to name just a few, and can cause opioid addiction – which is a topic of discussion today as reaching dangerous epidemic proportions.

Again this method of treatment is treating only the symptoms – PAIN, and not the cause the STAD (Standard American Diet).

I know, I sound like a broken record – preaching to the deaf ear of “I can’t change what I eat.” “Oh no, I’m in my comfort zone, so don’t ask me to not eat this or not eat that.

Well folks – GOT JOINT PAIN? Start consuming an anti-inflammatory diet. Begin with –Stop the milk and cheese consumption…in fact all dairy products. Why? You say. Because these foods are like glue – causing mucus buildup etc. The University of Michigan research team found that “the casein in cheese binds to opioid receptors in the brain. It changes the brain circuitry.” Research also shows that Cassia (a gum which comes in powder form and comes from evergreen trees) is, as well, used in cheese making. It is used as a thickener, emulsifier, mucilage, foam stabilizer, moisture retention agent and texturizing agent. This additive may not sound inhibiting to you – but it is – it is, as already mentioned, ‘like glue causing mucus buildup.’

Milk as mentioned in an earlier blog is linked to a wide array of health issues. Did you know that cow’s milk is the blood of the cow without the hemoglobin (the red part of the blood). It is well-known that pasteurized and processed dairy products are very difficult for the human body to process. The inflammation triggered is a sign that your body treats these foods (milk and cheese) like it would a harmful foreign agent. Researchers say it is no longer believed that milk builds strong bones. Yes, technically, milk contains calcium, but not enough to matter. Research now correlates milk with bone weakness and fractures, and is an overall risk of mortality. It is also linked with leaky gut syndrome, and systemic inflammation which links to JOINT PAIN.

It is a challenge to cut milk and cheese out of your diet…these are staples that you are in love with – especially cheese. Cheese was one of my addictions. Every time I ate it, I would experience body inflammation and my joints would hurt. I quit eating it; all the symptoms went away…and my brain circuitry reset so I don’t crave cheese anymore – well maybe, once in a while. I am working on developing a strong constitution. I never was addicted to milk.

A dairy free and gluten-free diet has been shown, through research, to significantly reduce JOINT PAIN, and improve the leaky gut syndrome (where toxins leak into the bloodstream triggering systemic inflammation).

What to do?  Again, QUIT DAIRY!  If you must have milk, learn how to Make your own milk – out of almonds, coconut, cashews, etc. If this seems like a chore then buy these milks at your local grocery store, or health food store. Experiment with them on your cereal and with cooking and baking. Let your brain circuitry reset to these New Milks – mm good!  Soon you will no longer crave or need cow’s milk. Young children will benefit greatly by this ‘quit dairy’ change. Milk allergies could become nonexistent, immune systems will get stronger, and soon “look Mommy, I am not sick!”

You will never know if cutting out dairy products works until you try it. You will be surprised as you experience less inflammation and joint pain.

I will be donating blood for the folks in Texas. Support their recovery efforts by finding your own way to give to those in need. We here in Florida know what they are experiencing. We have been there and done that. Keep those folks in your prayers!

May GOD BLESS EVERYONE!