anti-inflammatory
and
inflammatory foods
What is inflammation?
Anti-inflammatory and inflammatory foods are very important in determining the condition of our health.
According to many studies, long term inflammation plays a large part in that determination, and inflammation is a common root of chronic disease.
Here's a list of some of the diseases and how inflammation plays a role in them.
- Heart disease: Chronic inflammation can lead to the development and progression of heart disease, including conditions such as coronary artery disease, heart attack, and stroke.
- Arthritis: Inflammation plays a critical role in the development of various types of arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
- Diabetes: Chronic inflammation can impair insulin sensitivity and contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes.
- Asthma: Inflammation of the airways is a key characteristic of asthma, leading to symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, and coughing.
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): Conditions such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic inflammatory disorders affecting the gastrointestinal tract.
- Alzheimer's disease:
Chronic inflammation in the brain has been implicated in the
development and progression of Alzheimer's disease.
These are
just a few examples, but inflammation can be involved in numerous
other diseases as well, including certain types of cancer, autoimmune
disorders, and chronic lung diseases.
It's known that there are four classic symptoms of inflammation being present, which are:
- redness,
- heat,
- swelling and
- pain.
NOrmal and abnormal inflammation
There is normal and abnormal inflammation response.
Normal inflammation is a response that brings visible evidence of the body's healing system going to work.
It shows the arrival of nourishment and immune activity in an area that needs them. Remember the four symptoms that appear?
- redness,
- heat,
- swelling and
- pain.
However, it becomes abnormal when the inflammation doesn't end as the problem that triggered it resolves.
As the inflammation continues, it spreads to areas of the body that have not experienced injury or attack and then becomes chronic.
When the inflammation gets out of control it begins to attack normal tissues and won't quit.
In being abnormal it then promotes disease rather than healing.
Display of delicious anti-inflammatory foods.Reducing
Inflammation
With FOOD
For better health, a good plan is to avoid all inflammatory foods for at least 3-4 weeks to detox and rest your body and greatly reduce inflammation.
There are many complex nutrients, vitamins and minerals in natural real and living foods that help prevent and heal inflammation in our bodies.
It is known and has been known all throughout history that certain foods, plants, herbs, spices, raw diary and unprocessed meat help maintain a healthy body.
Fake Food is a Common Cause of Inflammation
Our bodies were not made to consume chemicals, and other products that are not real (fake), and then be expected to function properly.
However, currently too many of our "foods" are processed to the point that literally all the nutrition has been stripped from it.
Or, some are just made from ingredients that are not even a real food product, but are made to look and taste like real food.
Over processed, chemical-ized, fake food is a very common cause of inflammation.
That is the reason they are called inflammatory foods. They cause our bodies to react as if it is protecting us from illness and results in inflammation.
Which in all reality we do have many "lifestyle/chronic diseases" caused by the fake food and chemicals added to products we consume and put on.
So our bodies are doing what they are supposed to do to keep us from illness. Which too often results in chronic inflammation.
Our bodies recognize that those substances are not natural or useful but are dangerous.
In addition, if the fake food can't be detoxed, it will be stored somewhere in our body, usually in our fat or many glands.
This is a process to protect your life supporting organs and body.
However the substances are still affecting us as they sit in our bodies, causing inflammation and a host of other problems
You are welcome to copy and paste the Anti-inflammatory and Inflammatory lists below to use for your own reference.
Anti-Inflammatory foods and how they work:
Veggies: Squashes; tomatoes; carrots; olives; leafy greens of all kinds cabbage; asparagus; broccoli; cauliflower; cucumber; onions; bell peppers; eggplant; sweet potatoes; okra...all kinds of veggies, specifically deep colored ones.
Vegetables like spinach, kale, and Swiss chard are packed with nutrients like vitamins A, C, and K, as well as antioxidants and phytochemicals that help combat inflammation.
Fruit: apples; all berries (especially blueberries); kiwis; cherries; red grapes; melons; lemons; oranges; pineapple; (tart cherries; pumpkin)- both help to reduce joint inflammation.
Berries are high in antioxidants such as anthocyanins and vitamin C, which help to neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the body.
Meats: Salmon; tuna; non scavenger fish; chicken; turkey; sardines; mackerel; deer; beef-small amounts.
Fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, have been shown to have potent anti-inflammatory properties and can help reduce inflammation in the body.
They can help reduce inflammation and may provide relief for conditions such as arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.
Extra protein: eggs; chia seeds
Dry Beans: such as navy beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, and black beans, also an excellent source of plant protein, minerals, B-complex vitamins, and vitamin K.
Nuts and Seeds: walnuts; almonds; pecans; sunflower; pumpkin-pepitas
Nuts such as almonds and walnuts are high in healthy fats, fiber, and antioxidants, all of which have anti-inflammatory properties.
Probiotic Rich Foods: Plain Greek Yogurt- (add own natural fruit and sweetener-stevia or honey); Sauerkraut; Kefir natural organic - sweetened with stevia; (raw milk products after 3 weeks)
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that can support gut health and reduce inflammation. They can be found in fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and in supplement form.
Herbs and Seasonings: Garlic; rosemary; tumeric; cinammon; ginger; fenugreek; basil; thyme; moringa; cacao; cayenne; sea, himalayin, or kosher salt;
Curcumin, the active compound in
turmeric, has been shown to have strong anti-inflammatory effects. It
inhibits the activity of inflammation-promoting molecules in the body. Ginger possesses multiple biological activities, especially antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacities.
Oils/Fats: Olive; coconut; avocado; sesame; real/natural butter.
Extra virgin olive oil contains
polyphenols, which have been shown to reduce inflammation in the body
by inhibiting inflammatory pathways. Medium Chain Tryglicerides in coconut oil possesses anti-inflammatory
properties that may lower your risk of chronic disease. The ingestion
of medium-chain triglycerides reduces pro-inflammatory immune cell
production and increases anti-inflammatory immune cell production.
Sweeteners:
Stevia; raw honey; monk fruit; organic maple syrup; dates. Use all of these in moderation.
Beverages and Teas: Water (lots of it); Coconut water; coconut and almond milk; green tea; rooibos; dandelion; nettle; mint; ginger; turmeric; holy basil; rose hip; and chamomile teas.
The main polyphenol in green tea is epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Scientific studies suggest that EGCG and green tea polyphenols have anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties that may help prevent the development and growth of skin tumors.
Snack: energy balls; dark chocolate 70%; cacao choc., fruit, nuts and seeds
Adding the above listed foods to your diet can provide numerous health benefits and help mitigate chronic inflammation.
Add: Stretches for muscles, walking and exercises to build muscle.
A natural Dr. we saw several years ago gave us this advice: Always have your plate ¾ full of colorful veggies and fruit, as fresh as possible. Make the remainder of the plate a small serving of meat and a small serving of good carb food, during the 3 weeks.
Inflammatory Foods
Completely avoid all inflammatory foods for 3 weeks, and as much as possible thereafter.
Sugars: #1 Processed Sugar (all kinds); #2 Corn syrup liquid or solids; As well as pancake syrup which is usually flavored corn syrup.
All Artificial Sweeteners: aspartame, sucralose, glucose syrup (usually just corn syrup renamed),the list is long so best just to avoid anything that sounds like a chemical name, because it probably is.
Drinks: Pop/Soda; and other high sugar drinks, especially with High Fructose Corn Syrup.
Dairy: Pastuerized and processed milk products; cheese that is not raw & organic
Meats: Excess red meat
Pork; shrimp; oysters; catfish
White Starches: White bleached Flour, White rice
Oils:
vegetable, canola, cottonseed, corn, sunflower oils and hydrogenated
oils including lard. Over processed and most contain chemicals
Processed
foods of all kinds, especially boxed and packaged.
...anything that can sit on a
shelf for months and not decompose should not be put in our bodies.
Our body cannot process and digest it properly.
I personally believe, that God in his infinite love and wisdom provided everything we need for both our physical and spiritual well being. He gave us his awesome creation for our sustenance and health, then made provision and hope for our eternal destiny . Click on the link if you would like to know more.
