How Foods Can Affect Sciatica

Sciatica is a health issue caused by the compression or impingement of the sciatic nerve, or the longest and largest nerve in the human body. Patients with sciatica can experience painful symptoms anywhere along the length of the sciatic nerve. Common symptoms associated with sciatica include pain and discomfort, tingling sensations, numbness, and weakness.

Sciatic nerve pain can be caused by a variety of health issues, such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, pregnancy, scar tissue, tight muscles, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, degenerative disc disease, tumors, and infection. Sciatic nerve pain can occur along one or both sides of the human body. According to numerous research studies, inflammation caused by an improper diet can cause sciatic nerve pain. Below, we will discuss how certain types of foods, both good and bad, can affect sciatica. 

Good Foods for Sciatica

Patients with sciatica caused by muscle spasms, such as piriformis syndrome, can benefit from consuming a variety of magnesium-rich foods. The human body uses magnesium to help release muscle contractions. Several magnesium-rich foods include dairy products, fish, meat, seafood, apples, apricots, brown rice, dulse, and lima beans. Foods with considerable amounts of vitamin B-12, such as liver, clams, oysters, lamb, and cheese, might also be beneficial for sciatic nerve pain.

Halibut is a magnesium-rich food which may help treat sciatica associated with tight muscles or muscle spasms. Halibut contains numerous nutrients, including tryptophan, selenium, phosphorus, magnesium, protein, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins B3, B6 and B12. The significantly increased levels of vitamin B12 in halibut can also help reduce painful symptoms. Halibut is also used to help treat cardiovascular problems, such as heart arrhythmia and elevated blood pressure.

Because sciatica is a collection of symptoms rather than a single condition, patients with sciatic nerve pain should seek help from a healthcare professional to determine if an underlying health issue is causing the painful symptoms. In some cases, sciatic nerve pain may be caused by a serious problem, such as a tumor. Although further research studies may be needed to confirm the benefits of foods for sciatica, more research studies still have demonstrated how foods can also affect sciatica. 

Bad Foods for Sciatica

According to numerous research studies, eating a low-nutrient diet or a diet which may cause weight gain can ultimately cause a variety of health issues, including sciatic nerve pain and inflammation. Consuming foods rich in B-vitamins are essential for healthy nerve tissue. When we eat refined grain products, valuable nutrients are lost through the process, including B-vitamins. To make sure we eat nutrient dense foods, choose whole grains over refined grain products, such as white bread, instant rice, enriched pasta, low-fiber cereals and baked goods prepared with white, baking or cake flour.

Added sugars are ingredients which add sweet flavor and calories to foods, however, they offer very little nutrients. These are also high-glycemic and they may have a considerable impact on blood sugar levels. A high-glycemic diet can increase inflammation and it also leaves less room for beneficial, anti-inflammatory foods, including fresh fruits and vegetables. Foods and beverages particularly high in added sugars include regular soft drinks, candy, pancake syrup, frosting, sweetened cereals, frozen desserts and commercially-prepared cakes, cookies, pies, and brownies, among other foods and beverages.

Saturated fats can also increase inflammation. The American Heart Association recommends restricting the consumption of saturated fats to less than 7 percent of total daily calories. Common sources of saturated fats include red and processed meats, dark-meat poultry, poultry skin, high-fat dairy products, fried foods, and egg yolks. Healthcare professionals recommend replacing saturated fats in your diet with omega-3 fatty acids, or healthy fats with anti-inflammatory properties, to reduce sciatica. Sources of omega-3s include cold-water fish like salmon and mackerel, flaxseeds, canola oil, and walnuts.

Trans-fats, also well-known as trans-fatty acids, are chemically-produced fats which can increase LDL, or "bad," cholesterol and decrease HDL, or "good," cholesterol. According to research studies, trans-fats are also pro-inflammatory substances and they can ultimately account for less than 1 percent of the calories in a heart-healthy diet. Common sources of trans-fats include stick margarine, shortening, and commercial foods which list hydrogenated vegetable oil as an ingredient. 

Sciatica, or sciatic nerve pain, can be caused by a variety of underlying health issues, including herniated discs and spinal stenosis, among other spine problems. However, numerous research studies have demonstrated that the foods we eat can affect painful symptoms, such as those associated with sciatic nerve pain or sciatica. "Good" foods can help reduce sciatica symptoms while "bad" foods can increase sciatica symptoms, affecting overall health and wellness. - Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C., C.C.S.T. Insight

A healthy diet may help manage pain and inflammation associated with sciatica. The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal and nervous health issues as well as functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.

Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez