Do you suffer from temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder? If so, you may find that certain foods can aggravate your pain. Creating a diet friendly to TMJ begins with getting the right nutrients and avoiding trigger foods. Thankfully, incorporating fresh, local produce into your diet can help to alleviate symptoms of TMJ by reducing inflammation. For those who live in or near Bend, Oregon, local farming co-operatives provide a variety of healthful options that can help those with TMJ find additional relief.
What is TMJ Disorder?
TMJ disorder refers to the pain and discomfort in and around the temporomandibular joint, located in front of the ear. This joint connects the lower jaw to the skull and can become inflamed or damaged, causing a range of symptoms, like pain and tenderness, difficulty chewing, and clicking or popping sounds. TMJ disorder can occur on just one side or on both sides of the jaw, and in some cases, it can be disabling.
Diet and TMJ Relief
There are a variety of factors that can contribute to TMJ disorder, including genetics, arthritis, and other joint diseases or conditions. Inflammation, however, is thought to be the most common trigger for TMJ pain. This means that your diet can play a big role in how severe your symptoms are. Certain foods are thought to increase inflammation in the body, and, as such, should be avoided or limited by those with TMJ. These include processed foods, simple carbohydrates, alcohol, and caffeine. Conversely, eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats, and probiotics can help to reduce inflammation in the body and in doing so, can help to alleviate some of the symptoms of TMJ disorder.
Local Produce in Bend
Luckily for those who live near Bend, Oregon, there are a variety of co-operatives and farm stands that provide fresh, local produce all year round. These can not only provide the healthy nutrients required for a diet effective for TMJ relief, but can also infuse your meals with flavor. Bend has a wealth of great produce, including local honeycrisp apples, fresh blackberries, arugula, leeks, and much, much more.
Healthy Recipes with Bend Produce
One of the best ways to incorporate local produce into your meals is through wholesome recipes. Getting a variety of nutrients from different fruits and veggies can help to reduce inflammation and can make for some delicious meals. A basic smoothie recipe, for example, can easily be made with local blackberries, apples and oranges, plus a bit of kale or spinach for extra healthy goodness. A salad made from fresh arugula, leeks, apples, and your choice of lean protein like grilled chicken or salmon, can make an incredibly healthy meal that nourishes and also reduces inflammation. Finally, a quinoa bowl can be made with local kale, diced leeks, cherry tomatoes, and grilled or roasted vegetables for a nutritious and satisfying meal.
Benefits of a Local Approach
While it is certainly possible to purchase most, if not all, of the produce items in the above recipes from a local grocery store, buying produce directly from a farm stand or co-operative can help virtual farmers. By purchasing local, you are directly supporting the community, and by doing so, encouraging the use of fresher, higher quality ingredients than those bought from a large chain store. It can also give you the flexibility to experiment with a variety of ingredients and flavors.
Final Thoughts
TMJ disorder can be incredibly painful and it can greatly affect both quality of life and overall health. Dietary adjustments can go a long way towards reducing inflammation and improving symptoms. By incorporating fresh, local produce into a TMJ-friendly diet, those who live in or around Bend, Oregon can see additional relief. Purchasing from local farm stands and co-operatives can help to support the community and bring even more variety to meals. In the end, eating healthy and delicious meals using Bend’s local produce can help those with TMJ to reduce inflammation and take control of their health.