According to the American Pain Foundation (APF), the presence of pain is a national health care crisis. More than 50 million Americans are suffering from chronic headaches, back pain, muscle strain, and arthritis, as well as pain from chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, lupus, fibromyalgia, and multiple sclerosis. Another 25 million are dealing with acute pain as a result of injury or surgery. And although most pain can be relieved or greatly eased with proper care, the tragedy is that most pain goes untreated, under-treated, or is improperly treated. ¹

What's so frustrating about this suffering, is that since 1987 we have been conducting an incredible amount of research into how pain affects our bodies. The results have proven that pain should never be ignored. We've learned we need to assess it thoroughly and treat it aggressively, and in some cases manage it as a chronic condition. We've learned that when pain is managed, stress is reduced, and the body heals faster. And we also know that when people with pain take an active role in their pain management, they get the best results possible: less pain and a better quality of life.  ²

Part of this research has shown that inflammation is frequently a component of pain. While we have long associated acute pain - pain that happens suddenly - such as a sprained ankle or a tension headache - with inflammation, we now know that inflammation is present in chronic pain, too. Inflammation is actually the cause of the pain in osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, lupus, and fibromyalgia. Furthermore, we have learned that inflammation is associated with heart disease and other chronic health conditions. ^{3, 4}

But without a doubt, the most crucial and maybe the most unexpected information we've discovered is that inflammation can also be triggered by the foods we eat. In fact, if our digestive systems are not functioning up to par or if our bodies are not properly absorbing protein or other nutrients, inflammation will often result. ⁵

While there are powerful prescription medications available to treat chronic pain and inflammation, they only provide temporary relief. They often have unpleasant and potentially harmful side effects. And they don't get to the root of the problem. To do that - to eliminate the beginnings of inflammation and the pain it causes - requires safe, highly effective, natural interventions. In this issue, we're going to show how supplemental pancreatic enzymes improve digestion and nutrient absorption, prevent inflammation triggers - and reduce chronic pain.

Q. What exactly is inflammation?

A. Most of us have experienced the redness, warmth, swelling, and pain that signals inflammation - maybe as a sore throat, or a sprained wrist or ankle. It begins when white blood cells release chemicals in response to a virus or bacteria (the germs infecting your throat) or to provide protection immediately after an injury (that ankle you sprained). Some of the chemicals cause a leak of fluid into the affected tissues, which results in swelling. An increased blood flow to the area, an automatic response to injury or infection, causes the redness and warmth. These protective actions stimulate nearby nerves, which in turn causes the pain. Once the sore throat resolves or the sprained ankle heals, the inflammation goes away and so does the pain. ⁶

However, when chronic inflammation occurs, the warmth, redness, swelling, and pain never fully resolve. Not only does the inflammation continue, it actually causes destruction of surrounding tissues.6 This is what happens in autoimmune diseases - a varied group of illnesses where the body's immune response is directed against its own tissues. For some unknown and unnecessary reason, white blood cells continually release their chemicals in targeted areas of the body resulting in inflammation and tissue destruction. In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, the body's immune response mistakenly targets the linings of the joints. White blood cells release their chemicals and the joints become red, warm, swollen, and painful. This continued inflammation can slowly destroy the lining of the joint and eventually, the joint itself. ⁷

Q. What about chronic pain that's not caused by autoimmune disease? Is inflammation a part of this kind of pain?

A. Yes, it is. Chronic back pain, an inflammatory pain condition, is the number one reason adults seek help from their healthcare practitioners. It affects millions of Americans every day. While it can originate from an injury or trauma to the back, chronic back pain can also occur from poor posture or the presence of abdominal fat. Once back muscles become strained, inflammation results and pain persists. ⁸

Osteoarthritis is another type of arthritis and is most often seen in middle-aged and older people. Defects that develop in certain joints over time can lead to cartilage breakdown in the joints. Inflammation begins as the cartilage breakdown causes bones to rub against each other. This continual bone-on-bone rubbing creates significant pain and can lead to deformities and loss of movement. ⁹

Q. OK, I understand about the connection between inflammation and pain. But how can the foods I eat trigger inflammation?

A. Research into nutrition has resulted in a much better understanding of how certain fats and oils react in our bodies. When we consume arachidonic acid from animal fats or trans fats from hydrogenated oils (unhealthy fats and oils) our bodies make "pro-inflammatory compounds." These compounds can initiate unnecessary inflammation - the kind of inflammation that's seen in autoimmune disease, chronic back pain, and osteoarthritis. If our diet is high in these fats, we could be promoting pain and inflammation every time we eat a meal. ^10,11

Q. How can poorly digested protein trigger inflammation?

A. The structure of proteins is very complex. Proteins are our only source of amino acids - compounds that form every aspect of the human body. The proteins we eat in foods (such as meat, fish, poultry, eggs, cheese, and soy) must be broken down by a number of protein enzymes, or proteases, that are made in the stomach and pancreas. The proteases break down proteins into smaller and smaller molecules, and finally into individual amino acids that are ready for absorption.¹²

However, if we are stressed, using antacids for heartburn, eating unhealthy food, or are deficient in the pancreatic enzyme, protease, the proteins we consume will be poorly digested and not broken down into small enough units for proper absorption. Oversized protein molecules may result. Oversized protein molecules in the intestines can trigger the release of histamine and other inflammatory compounds. This can result in gas, bloating, belching, feeling full for a long time after eating, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, AND inflammation. More problems arise if these oversized proteins are accidentally absorbed into the body - often called "leaky gut syndrome." If poor protein digestion happens with every meal, inflammation can be triggered throughout the day, never allowing the inflammatory process to die down.¹³