Pain-Reducing Foods: Health Story

Aired on Superstation WGN
Saturday, October 1, 2005
Show 225

"People are looking for alternatives to medication," says Dr. John La Puma, physician, nutritionist, chef, and author. "Eating certain foods at specific times can reduce the pain of osteoarthritis. When you eat is as important as what you eat," he says. Over 85 percent of Americans over 85 years old have osteoarthritis or joint failure.

"In the morning, analgesics are needed. Berries are good. Anything that is whole grain, such as high fiber cereals and legumes are other good sources. Analgesics have aspirin-like properties.

"Afternoon pain needs anti-inflammatory foods. Pineapples, avocados and soy foods like tofu and soy burgers are anti-inflammatory. So are green teas. Some good spices to cook with are curry, ginger, tumeric and rosemary.

"For dessert, the flavinoids in dark chocolate are a great anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory. All fruit and vegetables are anti-oxidants and should be eaten throughout the day.

"For dinner, you need omega-3 rich foods. A wide variety of fish are omega-3 rich. So are eggs, flax meal and walnuts. Eating specifically like this can dramatically relieve pain. People are getting pain relief when they didn't expect to get it. Food can be your best medicine!" say Dr. La Puma.