Food is more than just energy. Diets have a profound effect on everything in an individual’s life. Some foods can help the body heal or interfere with the recovery/healing process from injury/s and/or conditions that include sciatica. Making changes to a diet plays a significant factor in the recovery/rehabilitation phase, and adding certain foods will improve and expedite the healing process. A fully functional sciatic nerve nutrition diet plan must be personalized to each individual’s needs.
Sciatic Nerve Nutrition
Sciatica can cause numbness, tingling, electrical shock-type pain, or a combination in the back, hip, outer side of the leg, and the foot. Clinical nutrition is a powerful tool when combating sciatica. Enzymes in certain foods can help reduce the inflammation associated with sciatica. A high percentage of individuals dealing with sciatica can enhance pain relief by adjusting their diets. Quick recommendations include:
Oily fish like salmon and halibut are rich in omega-three fatty acids that decrease inflammation in the body and the sciatic nerve.
Fresh pineapples and berries are anti-inflammatories that aid in healing and increase immune system function.
2-3 cups of green tea contain antioxidants that help control peripheral sensations and help manage pain.
Turmeric, ginger, and garlic contain anti-inflammatory agents that relieve swelling by reducing levels of inflammation-stimulating enzymes.
B-Vitamins are essential to maintain normal nerve function and can be found in green peas, spinach, navy beans, nuts, and bananas.
Magnesium-rich foods can ensure the body is not deficient and help control muscle spasms.
Sciatica can also be triggered by a poor diet that causes constipation that can place pressure on the nerve. Therefore it is recommended to incorporate fiber-rich foods that include plenty of fruits and vegetables to prevent constipation.
Foods That Make Sciatica Worse
Inflammatory foods to avoid:
Sugar and high-fructose corn syrup.
Trans fats include margarine and any hydrogenated/solidified or partially hydrogenated oils.
Refined vegetable oils – These are vegetable, nut, or seed oils that have been highly processed. Cut down on french fries, chips, or other foods fried in these oils.
Refined carbohydrates – Carbohydrates that have fiber removed increase the growth of inflammatory gut bacteria. These include white flour, refined corn products, white rice, and various commercial cereals and sugars.
Excessive alcohol – Moderate amounts of alcohol can provide health benefits, but higher amounts increase inflammation.
Processed meats – are often processed at high temperatures, creating chemicals/substances associated with inflammation.
Avoid Surgery
References
Davis D, Maini K, Vasudevan A. Sciatica. [Updated 2022 Feb 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507908/
Garfin, SR et al. “Spinal nerve root compression.” Spine vol. 20,16 (1995): 1810-20. doi:10.1097/00007632-199508150-00012
Kumar, M. Epidemiology, pathophysiology and symptomatic treatment of sciatica: A review. nt. J. Pharm. Bio. Arch. 2011, 2.
Safari, Mir Bahram, et al. “Efficacy of a Short-Term Low-Calorie Diet in Overweight and Obese Patients with Chronic Sciatica: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.) vol. 26,6 (2020): 508-514. doi:10.1089/acm.2019.0360
Fish oil is used as a natural health supplement that treats a variety of issues. It provides beneficial omega-3 fatty acids that promote good health throughout the body and helps to cure or prevent certain health conditions. However, some people are not convinced. They view fish oil as nothing more than snake oil with no real health benefits. Nothing could be further from the truth. Researchers at Harvard University ranked omega-3 fatty acid deficiency as the sixth highest cause of death in the United States.
What is Fish Oil and what are Omega-3 Fatty Acids?
Fish oil is precisely what it sounds like, oil from the tissues of oily fish. While you can get it by eating certain fatty, cold water fish like wild caught salmon, white fish, anchovies, herring, and sardines, many people opt for the fish oil supplements available at health food stores and even supermarket shelves.
Omega-3 fatty acids are highly concentrated fish oil. They are polyunsaturated fatty acids and must be introduced into the body either via the food eaten or supplements. It is not like many other fatty acids that the body can produce. Fish oil has two vital types of omega-3, eicosatetraenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
How is Fish Oil Used?
Fish oil supplements are intended to be taken just like a daily vitamin. Because of its many health benefits like preventing diseases and reducing the symptoms of certain conditions, it has become a standard in most people�s health routines and is even included in some multi-vitamins. It is taken in the form of a capsule. It can be purchased over the counter, but the FDA has approved a prescription version fish oil that lowers high triglyceride levels.
Fish oil omega three gel capsule
What are the Benefits of Fish Oil?
Fish oil provides a number of health benefits ranging from heart health to treating diabetic complications that affect the kidneys. It also helps:
Lowering blood pressure
Lowering cholesterol levels
Preventing heart disease and stroke
Preventing clogged arteries
Relieving certain heart conditions such as irregular heartbeat, heart failure, chest pain, and preventing blood clots
It is used after bypass surgery to aid in healing as well as with heart transplants
Kidney disease
Kidney failure
Cirrhosis
Arthritis
Cancer
Anxiety
Berger�s disease
Brain health including relieving depressing, PTSD, migraines, ADHD, and other mental health issues
There are many other fish oil benefits. It indeed is a wonder health supplement.
How to Take Fish Oil
Fish oil typically comes in a gel-filled capsule. It is essential that it not be punctured before taking. Patients should follow the direction exactly as they are on the label or as the doctor prescribed. It is a good idea for them to talk to their doctor before they start taking fish oil to make sure that it does not interact with any other medications that they are taking.
Potential Side Effects of Fish Oil
Typically, fish oil will not have any side effects. Some mild ones include an upset stomach, back pain, mild rash on the skin, belching, and an unusual or unpleasant taste in the mouth. More severe side effects that should warrant a call to the doctor include flu symptoms: fever, body aches, chills; irregular or uneven heartbeats; and chest pain.
An allergic reaction to fish oil is serious and the patient should seek immediate medical attention if they experience any of these symptoms:
Hives
Breathing difficulties
Swelling: throat, tongue, or face
How to Choose Good Fish Oil
Anyone considering taking fish oil should first talk to their doctor who can recommend a therapeutic dose. Read the label to determine how much omega-3 is in each capsule as well as the recommended dosage. Doctor recommended brands are best, but in the absence of a doctor recommendation, a reputable brand by an established, trusted, trustworthy company is best.
Fish oil is excellent for all-around health and chiropractic patients taking the supplement can enjoy better health and better results from their chiropractic care.
IFM's Find A Practitioner tool is the largest referral network in Functional Medicine, created to help patients locate Functional Medicine practitioners anywhere in the world. IFM Certified Practitioners are listed first in the search results, given their extensive education in Functional Medicine
