Pain is your body’s way of telling you ‘something’s up’. More specifically, pain is a symptom of the inflammatory response, a normally short-lived process with the sole function of protecting the body from infection and injury. Your immune system becomes activated when your body recognizes anything that is foreign—such as an invading microbe, plant pollen, or chemical. This often triggers a process called inflammation. Intermittent bouts of inflammation directed at truly threatening invaders protect your health. The redness, heat, swelling, pain and loss of function experienced during acute inflammation is your body’s way of healing itself.

However, sometimes inflammation persists, day in and day out, even when you are not threatened by a foreign invader. And, when you are over 40, inflammation is something you have to work at keeping low because of dropping hormone levels. That's when inflammation can become your enemy. The inflammation can be in joints, your digestive tract, your gut, your brain or anywhere in the body.

Many major diseases that plague us—including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, depression, and Alzheimer's—have been linked to chronic inflammation.

Most people address pain with pain killers, including analgesics, opioids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs). Analgesics and opioid medications may provide some much needed symptomatic relief, however these agents mask the pain rather than resolve it. Sometimes you need a ‘bandaid’ temporally but getting to the root cause is also important for long term health. Acting on the inflammation itself versus what is causing it is considered a reactive approach.

Fortunately, there is a safe and effective way to help speed up the process of healing, and reduce pain along the way. This involves using stress management techniques, diet and natural anti-inflammatory medicines to target the driving force behind pain; inflammation. Not only are these approaches efficient at reducing inflammation and pain at its roots, they can help reduce dependence on pain killers, preventing overuse.
Here are my top three herbs and nutrients to help you overcome pain and inflammation:

Key Supplements:

**Turmeric** acts upon a number of the body’s cells which are involved in inflammation, reducing their activity to decrease pain and prevent further damage. Try this latte mix. Or make your own using turmeric essential oil.
**Magnesium** encourages smooth muscle relaxation to prevent muscle tension and pain, and is a natural anti-inflammatory that can speed up recovery. Not to mention, it is also important for calming the nervous system and when you are in pain…your body is STRESSED meaning your autonomic nervous system is revved up!
**Fish Oil** is a potent anti-inflammatory agent; its active components are heavily involved in countering the effects of inflammatory substances within the body, helping promote healing.
*Work with your favourite Nutritionist to find the right brands for you! (we all have different needs).*

4. Focus on Food
One of the most powerful tools to address inflammation comes not from the pharmacy, but from the grocery store. "Many experimental studies have shown that components of foods or beverages may have anti-inflammatory effects," says Dr. Frank Hu, professor of nutrition and epidemiology in the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health.
Choose the right anti-inflammatory foods, and you may be able to reduce your risk of illness. Consistently pick the wrong ones, and you could accelerate the inflammatory disease process. It’s that simple.

Anti-inflammatory foods
An anti-inflammatory diet should include these foods:
**tomatoes**
**olive oil**
**green leafy vegetables**, such as spinach, kale, and collards
**nuts** like almonds and walnuts
**fatty fish** like salmon, mackerel, tuna, and sardines
**fruits such as** strawberries, blueberries, cherries, and oranges

Foods that cause inflammation

Try to avoid or limit these foods as much as possible:

refined carbohydrates, such as white bread, white pasta, refined flours and pastries
French fries and other fried foods
soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages
red meat (burgers, steaks) and processed meat (hot dogs, sausage)
margarine, shortening, and lard

Due to modern farming practices and pesticide, herbicide and insecticide use, many so-called healthy foods can be considered inflammatory in the body. And the majority of North Americans these days are busy and taking short cuts when it comes to nourishing their bodies. The consumption of fast food, processed foods, and refined foods it all playing into an un-balanced body.

Benefits of anti-inflammatory foods
Fruits and vegetables such as blueberries, apples, and leafy greens that are high in natural antioxidants and polyphenols—and the protective compounds found in plants.”
Studies have also associated nuts with reduced markers of inflammation and a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Coffee, which contains polyphenols and other anti-inflammatory compounds, may protect against inflammation, as well. Yay…say all coffee drinkers! Rather try a supplement, Deep Blue Polyphenol Complex is incredible!

Anti-inflammatory diet

To reduce levels of inflammation, aim for an overall healthy diet. If you're looking for an eating plan that closely follows the tenets of anti-inflammatory eating, consider the Mediterranean diet, which is high in fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, fish, and healthy oils. Or, I can design one based on your specific needs.

In addition to lowering inflammation, a more natural, less processed diet can have noticeable effects on your physical and emotional health. "A healthy diet is beneficial not only for reducing the risk of chronic diseases, but also for improving mood and overall quality of life,"