SCIATICA DIET RECOMMENDATIONS
Are you experiencing pain, tingling, or numbness in your lower back and hip, which radiates down the back of one leg? Does the pain start randomly and subside gradually? If yes, please know that anything that blocks or impedes the path of your sciatic nerve originating from the lower back and running through the entire length of each leg may lead to severe debilitating pain. Sciatica should be treated immediately as its progress can lead to many complications including an absolute lack of movement.
Sciatica pain remedies merely decrease pain intensity and are not feasible medicines for sciatica in the long run because NSAIDs, oral steroids, and muscle relaxants are often associated with numerous side effects. On the contrary, numerous natural remedies for sciatica nerve pain have shown remarkable results such as:
“A clinical study highlighted that 76 % of sciatica patients reported complete relief in their symptoms without any toxic side effects after being administered a classical ayurvedic decoction for 45 days.1“
Read on to learn more about natural methods and dietary recommendations for sciatica that may help restore your health and freedom!
- Sciatica – Causes, Symptoms and Diagnosis
- Sciatica Treatment
- Sciatica Diet
- Home Remedies for Managing Sciatica Pain
- Evidence Based Multidisciplinary Kits to Protect, Rejuvenate, and Optimise the Functioning of Your Sciatica Nerve.
Does Diet Help in Alleviating Sciatica Pain?
What you eat can have a huge impact not only in terms of alleviating the pain arising from sciatica but also in maintaining healthy nerves that function optimally.
So, an anti-inflammatory diet, calcium and magnesium supplements and rejuvenative foods will work best in this condition. Osteopaths also recommend certain herbs that are abounding in nutrients and have the right proportions of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and regenerating properties, and will do you a world of good if you imbibe it in your diet.
All you need to know about Sciatica
Although, there can be several possible reasons leading to sciatica. The most common ones are either due to a degenerative disc disease or narrowing of the spine’s canal.
Any condition that causes compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve is called inflammation sciatica. Causes of inflammation could include:
- A bulging or herniated disc (putting pressure on the spinal nerves)
- Constipation (a number of sciatica sufferers have managed to alleviate their pain by simply altering their diet to avoid constipation)
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Infections
- Metabolic disorders such as diabetes, thyroid disease, gout, etc
- Alcohol consumption
- Injury to the nerve/trauma
- Stress
If your sciatic pain is due to inflammation, your pain will subside or reduce if you place an ice pack on your lower back/bottom for about 10 minutes before bed.
Sometimes sciatic nerve pain arises because of muscular problems such as when the piriformis muscle present in the buttock tightens and places pressure on the sciatic nerve. This kind of pain responds better to heat treatment and you will observe the pain is better the following morning after placing a heat pad on your bottom for 20 minutes before going to bed.
To confirm a Sciatica diagnosis, speak to our highly experienced panel of doctors available 24/7 for your assistance here.
Herbs, Supplements, and Homeopathies that have been studied for their effect on the structure and functions of the sciatic nerve and therefore should be part of your diet
Because sciatica issues arise from compressed or inflamed nerves, Biogetica doctors have formulated natural protocols that include ingredients that have not only been traditionally used for their nutritive benefits but have also been clinically tested for their pain-relieving, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, nerve rejuvenating and strengthening properties.
The following herbs, supplements and homeopathies have been researched for sciatica globally. However, the law of each land is different and only some countries consider these as treatments for sciatica. In lands that do not regard these as medicine, these natural supplements and herbs can only be offered for rejuvenating the structure and functions of the nerves and no medical claims can be made on them unless the FDA of that particular country determines them to be valid.
We have listed natural remedies that have shown remarkable efficacy in peer reviewed research. Then again, the only agency that can determine effectiveness is the FDA and that too only for their particular country.
Hypericum: In Vivo analysis to determine the efficacy of the extract on the sciatic nerve reported that hypericum potentially improved the functional recovery of peripheral nerve regeneration and protected against sciatic nerve injury‐induced cell death, inflammatory and oxidative damage to muscle, blood and brain. 2
Harpagophytum procumbens: This herb is traditionally used for its anti-inflammatory, analgesic and nerve tonic properties. The results of an in vivo analysis suggested that H. procumbens extracts have potential analgesic effects in the case of chronic neuropathic pain. 3
Commiphora Mukul: This natural ingredient is said to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, detoxifying, rejuvenating and tonifying properties. It is traditionally used to nourish and strengthen the joints, nerves, and muscles. An In vivo evaluation indicated that commiphora potentially reduced peripheral neuropathic pain induced by chronic constriction injury of the sciatic nerve. 4
Ginseng: In vivo analysis of ginsenoside (active components found in the ginseng species) on sciatic nerve concluded that the natural extract may exert a protective effect on the inflamed nerve and improve nerve regeneration. 5
These are just some of the herbs that have clinical evidence supporting their therapeutic properties.
Keeping this in mind, Biogetica doctors have formulated natural protocols such as Our Biogetica Deliverance Kit with Sciatic Mix Formula, which combines renowned herbs like Hypericum, Commiphora mukul, Harpagophytum procumbens, Tinospora cordifolia, Zingiber officinale and Withania somnifera along with advanced resonance homeopathic ingredients and micronutrients such as magnesium, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12 etc so that together these natural ingredients potentially rejuvenate and support the structure and functions of the lower back, sciatic nerves and hip joints, strengthen the nerve roots and spinal muscles, and improve functions of the involved muscles, tissues, cartilages and bones.
Our Doctors have reached deep into every medical discipline to formulate our precedent setting all natural kits that are designed to address the root causes and lead you back to a life of health and freedom.
Please feel free to discuss the benefits of this protocol with one of our Doctors for free at any time by clicking here. They can also help customize a Diet plan for you based on your exact case, constitution, eating habits and present condition.
Foods to Eat in a Diet for Sciatica
Although, no clinical studies have approved any particular diet for sciatica, there are certain foods that can help alleviate the pain and improve the structure and functions of the nerves.
You should modulate your diet based on the type of sciatica pain you experience, if your sciatica is predominantly of the inflammatory kind, eating foods that help combat inflammation can go a long way in relieving your condition.
If your sciatic nerve pain is triggered by muscular contractions, eating a diet rich in magnesium and VitaminB12 can help relax tensed muscles and ease contractions.
Regardless of the Type of Sciatica, Foods you Should Include in Your Diet are:
- Fiber Rich foods, Vegetables and Fruits such as whole wheat bread, brown rice, split peas, lentils, black beans, lima beans, Artichokes, broccoli, White gourd, pomegranate, apples, blackberries, figs, dates, etc.
- Magnesium Rich Foods such as dairy products, fish, meat, seafood, apples, apricots, brown rice, and lima beans.
- Foods Rich in Omega 3 Fatty Acids such as salmon, sardines, herrings, mackerel, tuna, black cod, trout, halibut, flaxseeds and walnuts.
- Vitamins A Rich Foods such as dairy products – milk, cheese and yogurt, carrots, dark green leafy vegetables, orange-coloured fruits, e.g. mangoes and apricots, fortified margarine, eggs, mackerel and other oily fish.
- Vitamin C Rich Foods that include oranges, grapefruits, pineapples, tomatoes, spinach, mustard greens, strawberries, cherries, cantaloupe regular and sweet potatoes, cabbage, broccoli, and green and yellow vegetables.
- Vitamin K Sources such as broccoli and spinach, alfalfa, vegetable oils and cereals.
- Vitamin B6 Rich Foods such as bananas, garbanzo beans, peanut butter, tomato juice, spinach, soybeans, sunflower seeds, walnuts, poultry and wheat bran.
- Vitamin B9 Rich Foods such as asparagus, beans, peas, lima bean, whole grains, mushrooms, liver, broccoli, orange juice, avocados and turnip greens.
- Vitamin B12 Rich Foods such as oysters, crab, tuna, salmon, beef, lobster, lamb, liver, Swiss cheese, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, eggs and liver.
- Potassium Rich Foods such as white beans, dark leafy greens, potatoes, apricots, avocadoes, mushrooms, fish(salmon) and Banana.
Foods to Avoid in a Diet for Sciatica
You are better off, avoiding or completely eliminating the following food items for a better prognosis of your condition.
- Refined grain products such as white bread, instant rice, enriched pasta, low-fiber cereals and baked goods prepared with white, baking or cake flour.
- Foods and beverages particularly high in added sugars such as regular soft drinks, candy, pancake syrup, frosting, sweetened cereals, frozen desserts and commercially-prepared cakes, cookies, pies and brownies.
- Saturated fat sources such as red and processed meats, dark-meat poultry, poultry skin, high-fat dairy products, fried foods and egg yolks.
- Trans-Fats containing foods such as stick margarine, shortening and commercial foods that list hydrogenated vegetable oil as an ingredient.
Home Remedies for Managing Sciatica Pain:
- Take 5-6 pieces each of garlic and clove in 10ml sesame oil, heat on a low flame for 5 minutes, allow it to cool a bit and then apply it on your back with gentle massage every day at bed time. This remedy offers excellent relief from sciatica, stiffness and lumbago.
- Freshly prepared ginger and lemon juice with black salt is good to relieve backache.
To enhance the effects of your dietary modifications, you must supplement your dietary regimen with several natural ingredients that have been traditionally used to alleviate pain and maintain healthy nerves. Growing research has also started gathering evidence on the possible therapeutic value that natural ingredients possess.
To know which herbs have fared the best when tested against neuropathic conditions such as Sciatica, click here
Biogetica doctors have considered and amalgamated the best ingredients in formulating nerve health protocols that potentially work by:
- Supporting the structure and functions of the lower back and spine via energetic and informational imprints of spinal tissue, disks and vertebrae
- Rejuvenating the lower back, sciatic nerves and hip joints
- Strengthening the nerve roots
- Stimulating the spinal muscles to align themselves
- Strengthening the spinal muscles
- Making the discs and the back muscles function optimally
- Guiding the body to adapt to optimal functioning
To know more about our Nerve Health protocols click here
We at Biogetica constantly strive to provide comprehensive, holistic and natural solutions to help you in your journey to health and freedom. Our dedicated panel of experienced health practitioners are available 24/7 to answer any health related concern or provide customized recommendations based on your constitution. To get a free consult, visit www.biogetica.com now.
References :
- Nair, P. R. C., Vijayan, M. P., Pillai, B. K. R. and Venkataraghavan, S : J. Res. Ind. Med. Yoga and Homoeo., 13 (3), 14 – 19. (1978).
- Haci Ahmet Deveci, Mustafa Nazıroğlu and Gökhan Nur, 5-Fluorouracil-induced mitochondrial oxidative cytotoxicity and apoptosis are increased in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells by TRPV1 channel activation but not Hypericum perforatum treatment, Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, 10.1007/s11010-017-3147-1, (2017). Haci Ahmet Deveci, Mustafa Nazıroğlu and Gökhan Nur, 5-Fluorouracil-induced mitochondrial oxidative cytotoxicity and apoptosis are increased in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells by TRPV1 channel activation but not Hypericum perforatum treatment, Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, 10.1007/s11010-017-3147-1, (2017).
- Dong Wook Lim †, Jae Goo Kim †, Daeseok Han and Yun Tai Kim *Functionality Evaluation Research Group, Korea Food Research Institute, Seongnam 463-746, Korea
- Ashish K. Mehta & Chakra D. Tripathi (2014) Commiphora mukul attenuates peripheral neuropathic pain induced by chronic constriction injury of sciatic nerve in rats, Nutritional Neuroscience, 18:3, 97-102, DOI: 10.1179/1476830513Y.0000000104
- HUANG Ying-ru,JIANG Dian-ming,XIAN Hua,et al.Department of Orthopaedics,The Traditional Chinese Medical College of Chongqing Medical University,Chongqing 401331,China
Dr Vijay Kamat graduated from K.L.E. society’s Shri B. M. Kankanwadi Ayurved Mahavidyalaya, Belgaum, India; one of the oldest Ayurvedic institutions in India. He is a prestigious member of the Ayurvedic Association of India. He possesses deep ancestral and research-based knowledge of plants, and is passionate about bringing age-old secrets of Ayurveda within the reach of a common man. In keeping with his passion, he is presently leading the medical team of Biogetica – a collective of Doctors dedicated to natural medicine. Together, they work to bring evidence-based natural healing solutions to the world.
