Anti-Inflammatory Turmeric Protein Shake for Joint and Back Pain

Joint and back pain should never be taken lightly even if the pain is very mild. If left untreated, pain will worsen over time and may eventually lead to more serious conditions that can only be treated with strong drugs and costly medical procedures. With all this in mind, it’s important to understand the causes of both joint and back pain, preventive measures, and also possible treatment options.

Should You Be Concerned?

The most common types of joint pain can be felt in the shoulders, the ankles, and the knees. No matter what degree of pain is felt in these areas, it can be very difficult to do everyday tasks. Painful joints can be caused by a variety of conditions including injuries, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, bursitis, and others.

According to statistics, joint pain is more prevalent in older populations and is also more common in women. (1) It’s no surprise that joint pain is one of the top reasons for absence at work. Some of the early symptoms for joint pain include redness, tenderness, warmth, joint locking, a decreased range of motion, stiffness and weakness among others. These symptoms are also a sign of high levels of inflammation in the body.

Back Pain: Who Gets it? What Causes it?

One look at an anatomy chart and you’ll see that the back is a web of bones, ligaments, tendons, muscles and joints. As a result, it’s very prone to strains, sprains, ruptured discs, pulled muscles, and other injuries. There are many voluntary and involuntary movements that can lead to back pain including wrong exercise form, poor posture, muscle weakness, sports injuries and accidents, and even bending down at an awkward position. Infections, fractures, strains and inflammatory arthritis are other causes for back pain.

According to studies, 50 – 80% of adults will experience back pain at least once in their lifetime. (2) Like joint pain, back pain is one of the leading causes for absence at work. Furthermore, Americans spend about $50 billion per year on doctor visits, chiropractors, medicines and treatments solely for back-related pains and conditions.

Turmeric, A Key Anti-Inflammatory Ingredient

Turmeric is an ingredient that has been used in Asian culture for thousands of years. It’s a commonly used ingredient in cooking and also ancient medicine. Curcumin, a compound found in turmeric root, has been proven to be effective at fighting inflammation. In fact, a study done in 2004 has shown that curcumin is superior at fighting inflammation than most over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications including aspirin and ibuprofen. (3) This tasty protein shake contains turmeric that could help with joint and back pain.

The Recipe

In just 5 minutes, you can make a single serving of this pain-relieving shake that may help reduce inflammation and boost your bodies immunity.

In a blender, add ½ a cup of unsweetened almond milk, ½ a cup of plain Greek yogurt, 1 scoop of vanilla whey protein powder (isolate or concentrate), ¼ a cup of frozen pineapple, 1 ¼ teaspoon of freshly ground turmeric root, ½ a teaspoon of ground ginger, ½ a teaspoon of ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, 2 tablespoons of hemp seeds, liquid stevia to taste (optional), and ½ a cup to 1 cup of ice and blend.

When the mixture is smooth and ingredients are incorporated well, it’s ready to be served. Be sure to serve this shake cold for best flavor.

More Protein Shake Recipes:

Double Chocolate Protein Shake for Weight Loss

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