Unpacking the Benefits of Functional Nutrition for Chronic Pain Management

This is a troublesome and disabling disorder that it is prevalent on millions of people across the globe. Contrary to ordinary treatment where much is done to try and hide the pain, functional nutrition provides a solution to the cause of pain. As such, functional nutrition offers an effective strategy for treating chronic pain by exploring the differential and maybe interdependent connections between food choices, gut microbiome and inflammation.

Among the most notable advantages of functional nutrition, there is the improvement of inflammation level – one of the main causes of chronic pain. Stressors are not only emotions but can also be food triggers; therefore, when patients remove foods that cause inflammation like gluten or dairy and processed sugars, there will be a massive reduction in inflammation. Consequently, pain can be reduced and overall optimisation of the human conditions may be achieved.

In functional nutrition, the contribution of gut integrity into management of pain is also well highlighted. There is an interaction between the gut and the brain known as the gut-brain axis and dysbiosis leads to chronic pain. Fermented vegetables, Omega-3 foods, fiber-ripened fruits, among others help to have good bacteria in the gut hence, the reduction of pain.

In addition, functional nutrition differs from others by considering the patient’s nutritional deficiencies and his or her genetic predisposition to chronic pain. For instance, there are people who from birth may have the propensity of developing deficiency of vitamin D and this may worsen pain. So, through proper assessment of these lacks and with the right nutrition and supplementation, people can reduce pain a lot.

Functional nutrition’s other positive effects include pain reduction as well as an improvement in the client’s mood, energy levels, and physical health. Functional nutrition therefore makes an effective model for chronic pain in as much as it empowers people into taking full control of their nutrition and lifestyle habits without depending on medications. Everyone has the chance to create his/her nutrition plan in cooperation with the healthcare practitioner or a registered dietitian in order to get improved wellness.