True or False: What You Eat Affects Your Pain, Inflammation, and Nervous System
Answer: TRUE.
Most people think of food in terms of weight gain or loss—but the effects of nutrition go far beyond the number on a scale. At Camarata Chiropractic & Wellness, we consistently see how nutrition directly influences pain levels, inflammation, and the function of the nervous system.
If you’re stuck in chronic pain or persistent inflammation, one of the first places to look is your plate.
The Food–Inflammation Connection
Certain foods increase inflammation in the body. Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury or stress, but when it becomes chronic, it creates problems—especially in the muscles, joints, gut, and brain.
Common pro-inflammatory foods include:
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Refined sugar
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Processed seed oils (such as canola, soybean, and vegetable oils)
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Highly processed snacks and meals
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Gluten and wheat (especially in sensitive individuals)
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Conventional dairy products
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Artificial additives and preservatives
These foods can trigger or worsen:
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Joint and muscle pain
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Headaches and migraines
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Fatigue and brain fog
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Digestive discomfort
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Mood imbalances like anxiety or irritability
The Gut–Brain–Pain Connection
Your gut and brain are connected through a two-way communication system known as the gut-brain axis. When inflammation exists in the gut (due to poor diet, stress, or food sensitivities), it sends distress signals to the brain and nervous system.
This can lead to:
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Heightened pain sensitivity
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Increased stress hormone production
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Difficulty recovering from injury
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Disrupted sleep and mood
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Weakened immune function
Additionally, poor gut health often results in leaky gut syndrome, where partially digested food particles and toxins enter the bloodstream and trigger a systemic inflammatory response throughout the body.
Nutrition and Nervous System Function
Your nervous system is responsible for regulating pain perception, tissue repair, immune responses, and overall brain-body communication. When you feed your body nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory foods, you help regulate and calm your nervous system.
On the other hand, when you consistently consume processed and inflammatory foods, it creates stress for your body—both chemically and neurologically. This keeps your nervous system in a state of "fight or flight," making it harder to heal and recover.
What Can You Do?
If you’re experiencing chronic pain or inflammation, consider these action steps:
1. Identify Food Sensitivities
Food sensitivities often go unnoticed because the symptoms are delayed or subtle. However, they can significantly contribute to inflammation and pain. At our office, we recommend Food Inflammation Testing (FIT 176) to help uncover your specific triggers.
2. Heal the Gut
Support gut health through a clean, whole-food diet, targeted supplementation, and possibly a gut barrier panel test to evaluate leaky gut and inflammation markers.
3. Eat an Anti-Inflammatory Diet
Focus on nutrient-rich, whole foods that support healing:
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Wild-caught fish, grass-fed meats, organic fruits and vegetables
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Healthy fats like olive oil, coconut oil, avocado, and omega-3s
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Fermented foods or high-quality probiotics
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Anti-inflammatory herbs and spices like turmeric, ginger, and garlic
4. Hydrate with Electrolytes
Hydration impacts every system in the body. We recommend clean water combined with LMNT electrolytes or Baja Gold Mineral Sea Salt to replenish lost minerals and support cellular hydration, nerve function, and muscle health.
5. Support Your Nervous System
Your nervous system plays a critical role in your body's ability to heal. Chiropractic care helps restore alignment and function, reducing stress on the spine and nerves. Combined with proper nutrition, this creates a powerful healing environment.
Final Thoughts
Pain is often the tip of the iceberg. Inflammation, poor metabolic function, and nervous system stress are usually lurking underneath.
The food you eat can either support healing or fuel dysfunction.
If you’re ready to get to the root cause of your pain—not just mask symptoms—schedule a consultation with us today. We’ll help you build a personalized care plan that includes chiropractic care, SoftWave Therapy, nutrition guidance, and more.
Contact Us
Camarata Chiropractic & Wellness
Main Office: 3237 Union Street, North Chili, NY 14514
Phone: 585-617-4145
Email: info@camaratachiropractic.com
Second Location: Inside Elevate 585 Fitness & Performance Center
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Health is wealth. Start healing from the inside out.