Pain most commonly occurs as a result of inflammation. Harmful stimuli such as injury or infection can trigger an acute inflammatory response, which leads to the release of compounds such as leukotrienes and prostaglandins. These inflammatory chemicals act to deal with the damaging stimuli and, although their effects can be unpleasant and painful, without them, wounds would not heal and infections would not resolve. In an acute situation, inflammation is a normal and necessary part of our immune response. This acute inflammation causes acute pain and can feel like a hot, burning inferno that rages through your body.

In contrast to acute inflammation, chronic inflammation (inflammation that lasts months or years) does not provide any benefit and, in fact, only serves to generate more problems. In this chronic setting, chemicals are produced that lead not only to pain, but also to tissue damage and disease. Chronic inflammation is like the smouldering embers of a fire - the longer the inflammation smoulders, the more damage it can cause and the more chance there is that it will flare into a raging inferno again.

Whether acute or chronic, the fire of inflammation and pain needs to be well-managed. This is highlighted by the number of people regularly using pain relief medications. Unfortunately, these medications are not without their side effects, particularly when used for longer periods of time. Increasingly, people are seeking natural alternatives. To help settle the inferno of acute pain, try the new Ethical Nutrients Pain Relief formula. This comprehensive formula is designed specifically to address the painful consequences of acute inflammation. Take two tablets, three times daily to help settle the pain inferno. For longer-term support, a dose of two tablets daily is recommended. Ethical Nutrients Pain Relief combines the herbs turmeric and boswellia to assist in relieving pain and inflammation, commonly associated with arthritic conditions, muscular soreness and menstrual problems.

One of the most common conditions associated with smouldering, chronic inflammation is arthritis. Fish oils can help reduce joint inflammation, joint swelling and increase joint mobility associated with arthritis, but to get a therapeutic effect from most fish oil capsules you need to take 9 standard fish oil capsules every day! Ethical Nutrients Hi-Strength Liquid Fish Oil is concentrated so you only need to take 1 teaspoon once daily, to get the full therapeutic dose and help ease your joint pain. Each 5 mL serve of Ethical Nutrients Hi-Strength Liquid Fish Oil is equivalent to 9 standard fish oil capsules, meaning it’s easy to take and convenient! For best results, you may wish to combine this with the maintenance dose of Ethical Nutrients Pain Relief.

The dietary choices you make can have a big impact on your levels of inflammation. Certain foods can worsen inflammation and can cause the smouldering embers of chronic inflammation to flare up into a burning inferno. These include:

• Too many high glycaemic load carbohydrates such as refined starches, sugar and potatoes;
• High levels of “bad” fats, i.e. saturated fats and trans-fatty acids;
• Too many foods with a high allergy risk, including dairy products and grains that contain gluten;
• Highly processed foods that are low in nutrients.

To better manage pain and inflammation, keep these foods to a minimum and make sure you include good amounts of fruit and vegetables, beneficial fats and fibre in your diet.

For acute “inferno” pain or for the flare-up of a chronic pain condition, Ethical Nutrients Pain Relief is the product of choice. To keep chronic inflammation at bay, top up on your omega-3 fatty acids with Ethical Nutrients Hi-Strength Fish Oil.

References
¹ Australian Bureau of Statistics, National Health Survey: Use of Medications, Australia, 1995.