SWEET REACTION
How Sugar May Be Causing You Pain
Cookies, eggnog, and fruitcakes — oh my! If your mouth is watering just thinking about all the yummy treats that come with the holiday season, you’re not alone. But your joints just might be groaning. More sugar means more inflammation, which can cause pain and stiffness during the holidays. Here’s why and how you can combat it. Let’s Talk Inflammation Surprisingly, inflammation is not necessarily a bad thing. Inflammation is a sign that your body’s immune system is doing its job. It’s a defense to combat the foreign body — like a splinter or bacteria — that’s taken up residency inside of you. However, inflammation can appear when it’s not needed, often as a result of a poor diet. Its presence can lead to stiffness, pain, and difficulty moving. (Although, moving is one of the best ways to relieve inflammation.) How Sugar and Inflammation Play Together Sugar can be sneaky. When it’s consumed in moderate quantities through fruits and vegetables, it can be good for the body. Natural sugar can stabilize your blood sugar level and help you feel fuller, and it often carries proteins and other vital nutrients with it. But excessive amounts of sugar — particularly processed sugar, which doesn’t have the same benefits as its natural counterpart — can cause inflammation in your joints. This is because sugar activates the release of the protein your body uses for inflammation.
What You Can Do Don’t give up your favorite treats
impact movements will help you combat inflammation on days when you do consume too much sugar. If you or a loved one struggles with arthritis or joint pain, our team at Madden Physical Therapy Dauphin can help. We will create a treatment regimen that gets you moving, improves joint strength, and helps you prevent further pain and damage. Call our office today to learn more!
altogether — this could lead to a binge — but be mindful of the serving size. Opt for lighter treats, like a small cookie, or use natural sweeteners, like honey or maple syrup, to sweeten your treats while avoiding the downsides of processed sugar. Movement is also vital to combating inflammation and strengthening your joints. Physical therapy, walking, swimming, and other joint-friendly, low-
Laugh Therapy
Sinfully Sweet Butternut Squash
This butternut squash, oven-roasted and caramelized to perfection, could almost pass for dessert. You’d never guess it’s a dish loaded with vitamins and antioxidants!
Inspired by WellPlated.com
Ingredients
• 1 large butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch cubes • 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil • 1 1/2 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 3/4 tsp kosher salt • 3/4 tsp cinnamon • 1/2 tsp black pepper • 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400 F, placing the two oven racks at the top and bottom of the oven. Then grease two baking sheets. 2. In a large bowl, combine squash cubes, olive oil, maple syrup, salt, and spices. Toss to coat, then spread mixture in a single layer over the baking sheets. 3. Place both pans in the oven and bake 15 minutes. Turn the cubes with a spatula and return them to the oven, swapping them to different racks. Continue baking 10–15 minutes until tender. 4. Sprinkle with rosemary and serve!
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