Inflammation is common problem now; it is present worldwide and is also cause of everything from acne to Alzheimer’s disease to obesity and digestion problems.
Researches support the theory that inflammation actually in some cases can be a good thing. Why? Well, when the body detects injury or illness, the immune system immediately sends T cells, white blood cells and lymphatic fluid to the affected spot. Water and blood are also present and remove toxins and flush the spot.
All those antibodies are causing increased circulation, swelling and pain and all these are the body’s defends against the present inflammation or illness.
Inflammation happens externally as response to bumps, bruises, scrapes and scratches and internally to fight infections and disease.
This inflammation is also known as acute inflammation and is very quick immune response that ends when the injury is healed.
Wondering what this has to do with food? Well, few researches declare that by eating the wrong food also causes inflammation not the acute variety actually but the chronic kind that does not usually go away.
As time passes, the organs and tissues which are inflamed begin to degenerate, the toxins are building up and the organs are depleted of vital nutrients. All this is ending with damage of intestines, heart, kidneys, pancreas, joints, skin and bones.
Constant, low- grade inflammation is caused by a diet which is high in inflammatory foods. This sentence is stated by Elson Haas, MD and author of The False Fat Diet (Ballantine Books, 2001).
He also said – “ If the immune system of one person is preoccupied with fighting constant inflammation, it will not be able to help and protect the body against other things that may appear, as abnormal cells in breast or prostate tissues.”
He also said that all these modern disease that we are faced with are symptoms of the underlying issue of inflammation which is just, the body in try to heal itself. But, heal from what?
Diet can do damage to body
Every day we live in high stress, and we are too busy to pay attention to the food we intake. We usually eat fast food, or foods which are are in lack of nutrients and high in pro- inflammatory ingredients – trans fats, sugars, starches, processed meats, hydrogenated oils and artificial sweeteners.
Living like this, we can make our body to stop responding to fat- regulating hormones.
Even the people who stay away from junk foods and unhealthy fats must pay attention on the ratio of the good fats that are consumed. We all know about omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids.
In American diets, omega 3 fatty acids are the ones which are most under consumed, while omega 6s predominat – by a lot.
All of those packaged convenience foods that we consume, even to the organic and all natural varieties, most of us get about 30 to 1 ratio of omega 6s to omega 3s.
By adding omega 3 you will help and counteract the damage and may prevent oxidation of LDL cholesterol.
Foods which calm inflammation
Hot peppers – All the hot chills and serrano, jalapeno, capsaicin found in cayenne are one natural alternative to anti- inflammatory drugs. Capsaicin inhibits the COX- 2 enzyme, known cause of inflammation in arthritis and other inflammatory diseases.
Apples and onions – contain natural histamine inhibitor which can help in many allergies that are considered as cause of inflammation. The natural histamine inhibitor can be found in the peel of apples. You have to buy the organic ones and consume them all.
Pineapple – tropical fruit which contains many anti-inflammatory compound – bromelain which contains enzymes that suppress inflammation and pain in the body by minimizing swelling. It losesits anti- inflammatory properties if is heated. That’s why you should consume it fresh and whole. Ignore the heat- processed canned version of it.
Dark, Leafy, Green Vegetables – You need to consume them due to their compounds alpha- linoleic acid and omega 3 that is similar as the omega 3 which can be found in fish.
Flaxseeds, walnuts, pumpkinseeds – these seeds and nuts contain omega 3s. Ignore toasted nuts, their roast temperature destroys omega 3. We recommend you to consume the raw version of them.
Oily, Cold- Water Fish – salmon, mackerel and sardines are rich in omega 3s which are reduce the production of pro- inflammatory hormones in the body. We highly recommend you to choose Pacific or Alaskan salmon, organic and sustainable farm- raised varieties which are in lowest mercury levels.
You should eat the whole fish, with skin and everything that comes with it because most of the omega 3 fats are present in the brown fat around their skin.
Olives and oil of them – Olives and olive oil, contain oleic acid which contains omega 9 fatty acids which help the omega 3s to do their inflammatory job. You should always buy strong, green and unrefined version of olive oil and ignore its light version. Raw olive oil has the most anti- inflammatory properties because heating can lessen its nutritional benefits.
Foods that should be avoided
- Bagels
- Baked Goods
- Pastries
- Fried Food
- Margarine
- Sugar
- Snack Food
- Soda
- Jams
- Hard Cheese
Source:justnaturallyhealthy