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Got Pain? Drop the Dairy.

milk and arthritis pain and inflamation
The consumption of dairy – specifically cow’s milk products, has been a much debated topic. I mean, how bad can it be? We grew up on the stuff, right? Well, now more than ever, people are becoming aware of the health impact that dairy may have on their bodies.

Cow’s milk products have certain protein molecules (casein and whey) that can cause our immune system to over react and stimulate immediate allergic responses such as hives, wheezing and vomiting, or longer term issues such as loose stool, abdominal cramps, and skin rash. However, it seems that you do not have to be allergic to dairy to experience a negative physical response to it.

Food sensitivities can equally trigger the immune response and any time the immune response is activated, inflammation will present itself.

Why is this important? Well, if you are one of the millions of people that suffer from joint pain or inflammatory diseases such as, Arthritis, Lupus or Fibromyalgia, you can understand that having more inflammation in your body directly translates into more pain you will physically experience.

So what can you do to fight dairy related inflammation?

Begin with an experiment. Try an elimination diet. If you suspect dairy products increase your joint pain, removing it from your diet for a few weeks may help confirm it. Chart your pain for the two weeks you are dairy free. Then, on the third week, reintroduce dairy into your diet and chart your pain to compare. If the pain and inflammation increase during the “re-introduction” phase, you may consider avoiding all dairy products. Just don’t forget to look for ways to get adequate calcium from other sources, such as green leafy vegetables and supplementation.

If you find that you just love dairy too much to eliminate it from your diet then opt to significantly reduce your dairy intake. Try some of the many dairy alternatives on the market today. Rice milk, oat milk, coconut, almond and soy milk can be used in place of cow's milk in cereals, baking and even gravies and stews. Soy yogurt and cheese products alternatives are also available in just about any supermarket. Experiment and find alternatives that you enjoy.

And, if you need help developing a nutrition based health and fitness program that will work for you, feel free to contact me at any time.

As always – enjoy your life.

John Aaron Villarreal


Bio: I am a Houston based, male massage therapist and wellness coach specializing in pain management and health programs for individuals over the age of forty. I laugh - a lot. I'm quirky but sincere. And, while I'm not a counselor, I do listen and I do care: Except for the times that I don't. That’s a joke - Did I mention that I like to laugh? Anyway, visit my website, call or email me and let's get together to talk about you, and the many ways to live life better!
 
The Legal Stuff: I write to inform, inspire and encourage my readers to enjoy all that life has to offer.
The content and information on this site is not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease.
Please consult your physician prior to starting any exercise, diet or wellness program.
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