The Link between Optimum Nutrition
and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Balanced nutritional habits play a key
role in our health but did you know that good nutritional
habits as part of a healthy and active lifestyle can
help to prevent Repetitive Strain Injury(RSI), such
as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) or tendinitis? Let's
review some basic nutritional tips that are a must
to prevent RSI:
- Eat well-balanced meals and snacks comprised of
fresh, whole foods and ingredients. By using this
approach, you will give your body a good chance
of obtaining the highest nutritional value possible
rather than exposing it to foods that are processed
which may use more energy or take longer to break
down.
- Drink at least 8 glasses of pure water daily.
This will keep your system well hydrated which can
prevent lethargy, headaches, weight gain and the
onset of colds and flu and, even disease. As F.
Batmanghelidji, M.D. sites in his book, Your Body's
Many Cries for Water, "You are not sick, you are
thirsty! First treat your thirst then treat the
illness", he says. Your body uses nutrients such
as proteins and enzymes more efficiently in the
presence of water. When the body is thirsty, it
operates on the same premise as if it was stressed.
"Dehydration causes stress, and stress will cause
further dehydration", says Dr. Batmanghelidji in
his book.
RSI or any joint pain
can be attributed to a lack of some specific vitamins
or minerals. Calcium, the most abundant mineral in
the body actually helps body joints to be more relaxed
and prevents stiffness, and too little protein will
result in reduced calcium absorption. Nearly 100%
of the body's calcium is in the bones and only a very
small amount is contained in the teeth. One of the
most common causes of cramping pains is due to calcium
deficiency whereas adequate amounts of calcium will
promote better sleep and relaxation. Thus relaxed
nerves and muscles need sufficient calcium, so eat
your cheese and leafy green vegetables and drink your
milk or fortified soy milk. If you are lactose intolerant
then take some good quality supplements and eat super
green foods, or drink fortified soy.
When it comes to vitamins, the family
of B vitamins, better known as B Complex plays a key
role in preventing the discomforts associated with
the onset of RSI such as:
- Muscular tenderness and weakness
- Numbness or tingling in the hands
- Swelling of the hands
- Soreness or weakness in the thumbs
- Inability to tightly close hands into a tight
fist
Most people today are not eating
sufficient B vitamins because they are not ingesting
sufficient grain based foods such as oats, rice, preferably
brown rice or, ancient grains that are less processed
in nature such as spelt, quinoa and kamut. Other choices
would be foods such as buckwheat, bulgar wheat, rye,
couscous, nuts, beans, peas, leafy green vegetables
and milk. Pasta, breads and bagels are not adequate
for everyone and actually can cause more problems
in some individuals, if they are the only source.
The family of B vitamins can protect us from stress
and a malfunctioning nervous system as well as headaches,
dizziness, lack of appetite, insomnia, mental problems,
memory defects, leg weakness, lethargy and the list
above that cites the specific discomforts that signal
the onset of RSI.
In order to prevent RSI such as
carpal tunnel syndrome or tendinitis, the body requires
sufficient nutrition especially B vitamins and the
mineral calcium. If you find that you have recurring
pain even after you have introduced the foods listed
above, then your need for these specific nutrients
may be higher than most and you may need to introduce
a vitamin / mineral supplement into your daily nutritional
program.
