Your Diet Keeps you Healthy Too

When you’re in pain, our goal here is to find the source of that pain and correct it.  For instance, a sore back might have to do with a knee or hip that is out of place.  Or your sore hips might be because your feet aren’t working the way that they should be working.

A large part of the aches and pains that we experience as Americans, is because our diets are loaded with sugar, processed foods, and other unhealthy additives.  All that “junk” that we consume leads to one thing: inflammation.  That inflammation results in aches and pains, which can cause us to change our movement patterns.  Correcting our movement can pull joints out of place, leading to even more pain.

So how do we make sure we’re starting off right?  Your chiropractor in Billings has compiled a list of herbs, spices, and supplements that are easy to incorporate into your diet to help keep you healthier.

Herbs, Spices, and Supplements for a Healthy Diet

This is, by no means, an exhaustive list.  But rather one that won’t make you go out of your way to buy weird spices from some shady online vendor all in the hopes of being healthier.  Instead, most of these are in your pantry already.  If they are not, they are easy to find at your grocery store.

Oregano – It’s not just an herb that gives our pizza the zing we require, it also has a number of health benefits.  Oregano helps with digestive issues, yeast infections, and can help stimulate weight loss.

Honey – Honey from the big box store likely won’t have many benefits to it.  That stuff has been refined so much it’s basically just sugary syrup.  What you need is local honey, unprocessed and raw, for the biggest bang.  Then, a small amount (mixed into a cup of tea is a good idea) will help stave off allergies and improve digestion.

Raw Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) – ACV has been long touted by health “nuts” and largely ignored by most people.  But with antibiotic and antiseptic properties, it helps heal you from within.  It balances the pH in your gut, and many say it even helps clarify their thinking throughout the day.  Mix with water if you don’t like that vinegar taste.

Turmeric – This staple in curry is more than a subtle spice.  Turmeric is known to help reduce inflammation in the joints, and act as a natural pain reliever.  You can apply it topically to soothe injuries, but keep in mind it does stain!

Garlic – Who doesn’t love to eat a bunch of garlic, and then offend everyone with their garlic breath?  Joking aside, garlic is one of those superfoods that many people simply use to enhance their dishes.  Raw garlic is packed with properties to help improve your immune system, and ward off parasites and bacteria (and, rumor has it, it keeps vampires at bay).

Fermented Foods – Homemade pickles, probiotic yogurts, kimchi, and sauerkraut are just a few of the fermented foods that do something magical in your gut.  The power of bacteria is amazing in how we survive, so if you’re feeling off your game, pack some bacteria into your foods!

Before you go changing a huge part of your diet, you might need to talk things over with your doctor.  But most of these are just supplements that can be added to your meals anyway.  For example, when you make eggs in the morning, sprinkle a little turmeric on them.  It’s not a big change, but little changes add up!

Come see Dr. Shayne Durbin for Chiropractic Care in Billings

Sometimes your joints just need moved back into place.  Your diet will certainly help your body to heal itself and stay healthy, but if things are out of place, they need put back in place before improvements can be felt.

Let your Billings Chiropractor get that done for you.  Call us at the  office at 406-545-2128, or fill out the appointment request form, and we will be in touch to schedule your next visit.