Nutraceuticals for Sciatica

Nutraceuticals can help relieve several different types of chronic pain, including sciatica or sciatic nerve pain. Stephen DeFelice, MD, coined the term in 1989, which is a combination of the words nutrition and pharmaceutical. He defined nutraceuticals as food that offers a variety of health benefits as well as prevention and/or treatment of health issues. Although these foods are considered to be natural products, it's essential to discuss nutraceutical options for chronic pain, including sciatica or sciatic nerve pain, with a healthcare professional to avoid any side-effects or interactions with drugs/medications.

Several nutraceuticals are also considered to be dietary supplements. According to the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) is a product that is taken orally in pill, capsule, tablet, or liquid form which is made-up of any chemical ingredient that adds to what a person normally gets in their diet, including vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and herbs as well as substances made from organs or glands and enzymes. Dietary supplements can also be an extract or concentrate. Several examples of dietary supplements include vitamin C, vitamin D, calcium, and fish oil, best known as omega-3 fatty acids.

Nutraceuticals aren't only limited to dietary supplements, as Dr. Stephen DeFelice previously described. It can also include genetically engineered food, such as food with added antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Nutraceuticals offer people extra nutrients that the body needs to use as fuel for energy. Nutrients, such as proteins, fats, and carbohydrates are broken down by the body's metabolism, a process that uses energy to regulate breathing and heartbeat, among other essential bodily functions. In the following article, we will discuss how nutraceuticals can help improve sciatica or sciatic nerve pain.

How Nutraceuticals Can Help Improve Sciatica

When people have chronic pain, including sciatica or sciatic nerve pain, the body will generally require more nutrients to repair itself. Nutraceuticals can help supplement the nutrients people are already getting from their diet by giving the body more nutrients to use. According to several research studies, nutraceuticals can help reduce pain and inflammation associated with low back pain and other health issues. Sciatica or sciatic nerve pain is a collection of symptoms, rather than a single condition, which is caused by a variety of health issues, including a bulging disk, herniated disk, or degenerative disk disease.

"Nutraceuticals, as well as dietary supplements, work best when used in combination with proper diet, regular exercise or physical activity, and stress management", stated Carrie Bowler, DO, a physician with One Medical Group in New York. Although these foods are considered to be natural products, it's essential to discuss nutraceutical options for chronic pain, including sciatica or sciatic nerve pain, with a healthcare professional to avoid any side-effects or interactions with drugs/medications. Below, we will discuss several nutraceuticals that can ultimately help improve sciatica or sciatic nerve pain.

Nutraceuticals for Sciatica

Vitamin D

According to researchers, vitamin D deficiency can make sciatica or sciatic nerve pain worse. One research study published in Pain Physician in 2013 found that chronic pain may be associated with an increased prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in people with spinal stenosis in their lumbar spine or low back, a common cause of sciatica or sciatic nerve pain. A healthcare professional will determine an individual's recommended dosage of vitamin D based on their individual needs and requirements. Sunlight exposure and vitamin D-fortified foods, such as vitamin D milk, may also help supply the nutrient.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Healthcare professionals recommend increasing the intake of omega-3 fatty acids to help reduce inflammation that can ultimately cause chronic pain. Many dietary supplements are available in pill, capsule, tablet, or liquid form. Make sure to talk with your healthcare professional about the proper dosage of omega-3 fatty acids because increased doses of this nutrient can increase the risk of bleeding and other complications. It can also interfere with any blood-thinning drugs and/or medications. You can also increase the intake of omega-3 fatty acids by eating tuna, salmon, sardines, and dark leafy greens.

Glucosamine and Chondroitin

Glucosamine and chondroitin are organic compounds that are naturally produced in the body. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, glucosamine can be found in the fluid around the joints while chondroitin can be found in the cartilage surrounding the joints. Navid Farahmand, MD, an interventional pain management physician with the Brain and Spine Institute of California in Newport Beach, stated that, although there aren’t many research studies on the effectiveness of glucosamine and chondroitin for people with back pain, others have shown a meaningful impact on chronic knee pain.

Turmeric or Curcumin

Turmeric or curcumin, the active ingredient in the yellow-ish plant, is one of the most recommended dietary supplements for chronic pain, including sciatica or sciatic nerve pain. The spice, which is commonly used in Indian curry dishes, can be taken as a powder in capsules, mixed into tea, or as a liquid extract. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCAAM) reports that turmeric is considered safe for most adults but prolonged use could cause an upset stomach. As a dietary supplement, it's not recommended for people with gallbladder disease because it can make the condition worse.

Nutraceuticals can help relieve several different types of chronic pain, including sciatica or sciatic nerve pain. Nutraceuticals are foods that offers a variety of health benefits. It's essential to discuss nutraceutical options for sciatica or sciatic nerve pain with a healthcare professional to avoid any side-effects or interactions with drugs/medications. Several nutraceuticals are also considered to be dietary supplements. Several examples of dietary supplements include vitamin C, vitamin D, calcium, and fish oil, best known as omega-3 fatty acids. Nutraceuticals can also include genetically engineered food. Nutraceuticals offer people extra nutrients that the body needs to use as fuel for energy to regulate breathing and heartbeat, among other essential bodily functions. In this article, we will discuss how nutraceuticals can help improve sciatica or sciatic nerve pain. - Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C., C.C.S.T. Insight

Nutraceuticals can help relieve several different types of chronic pain, including sciatica or sciatic nerve pain. Stephen DeFelice, MD, coined the term in 1989, which is a combination of the words nutrition and pharmaceutical. He defined nutraceuticals as food that offers a variety of health benefits as well as prevention and/or treatment of health issues. Although these foods are considered to be natural products, it's essential to discuss nutraceutical options for chronic pain, including sciatica or sciatic nerve pain, with a healthcare professional to avoid any side-effects or interactions with drugs/medications.

Several nutraceuticals are also considered to be dietary supplements. According to the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) is a product that is taken orally in pill, capsule, tablet, or liquid form which is made-up of any chemical ingredient that adds to what a person normally gets in their diet, including vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and herbs as well as substances made from organs or glands and enzymes. Dietary supplements can also be an extract or concentrate. Several examples of dietary supplements include vitamin C, vitamin D, calcium, and fish oil, best known as omega-3 fatty acids.

Nutraceuticals aren't only limited to dietary supplements, as Dr. Stephen DeFelice previously described. It can also include genetically engineered food, such as food with added antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Nutraceuticals offer people extra nutrients that the body needs to use as fuel for energy. Nutrients, such as proteins, fats, and carbohydrates are broken down by the body's metabolism, a process that uses energy to regulate breathing and heartbeat, among other essential bodily functions. In the article above, we ultimately discussed how nutraceuticals can help improve sciatica or sciatic nerve pain.

The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, and nervous health issues or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health protocols to treat injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us.

Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez

References:

1. Tennant, Forest. “Nutraceuticals for Chronic Pain.” Practical Pain Management, 18 July 2016, www.practicalpainmanagement.com/patient/treatments/nutraceuticals/nutraceuticals-chronic-pain.
2. Mosenthal, William P. “Sciatica Pain, Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment.” SpineUniverse, 9 Jan. 2020, www.spineuniverse.com/conditions/sciatica/sciatica-pain-symptoms-causes-diagnosis-treatment.
3. Theobald, ByMikel. “Photo Gallery: 7 Supplements That Help Back Pain.” EverydayHealth.com, 22 Jan. 2015, www.everydayhealth.com/pictures/best-worst-supplements-help-back-pain/.