Fight Inflammation with Food not Drugs
Ladies, if you want to look and feel your best as you age, start with your diet! The choices you make at mealtime not only affect your energy, weight and mood, but also contribute to certain painful ailments and medical conditions caused by inflammation. Inflammation is part of our body’s immune response. We need it to fight infection and heal injuries but when it becomes chronic, research suggests it can damage our arteries, tissues, joints and organs leading to many of the health issues that plague women over 50 such as heart disease, Type II diabetes, certain cancers, obesity, dementia, Alzheimer’s, depression, autoimmune conditions, arthritis, and age-related eye diseases.
Dietary choices affect the level of inflammation in our bodies. According to Scott Zashin, MD, clinical professor at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, “some foods cause over activity in the immune system, which can lead to joint pain, fatigue, and damage to the blood vessels,” while other foods calm immune activity and protect us from such ailments. Dr. Frank Hu, professor of nutrition and epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health, goes even further suggesting that consuming a diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods may help reduce your risk of illness, while over consuming pro-inflammatory foods can accelerate the inflammatory disease process.
To remain disease and pain-free, implement the following dietary changes below. Doing so, will reduce your level of inflammation and likely improve your concentration, stabilize your mood, increase your energy and shrink your waistline, drug-free!
Limit These Pro-inflammatory Foods:
Refined grains and added sugar. Both can spike your blood sugar, which promotes inflammation. Remove white rice, white potatoes, and white/wheat breads, refined crackers, pasta, pastries, pretzels and chips made with white, wheat, or other non-“whole” grain flours (Gluten Free varieties too) and foods high in sugar.
Trans Fat: These artery-clogging lipids cause inflammation in our arteries. To identify these dangerous fats, look for the words “vegetable shortening” or “partially-hydrogenated oil” in the ingredients list of packaged items. They’re often present in stick margarines, commercially baked goods and fried foods at restaurants.
Saturated Fat: While saturated fat may not be the villain it once was, much research indicates it can increase inflammation and your risk for heart disease. Therefore, limit your consumption of fatty cuts of red meat (beef, pork and lamb), bacon, sausage, and other processed meats, full fat dairy including butter, yogurt, cheese, whole milk, and ice cream, and even coconut and palm oils. These tropical oils are high in a particular type of saturated fat that may provide some health benefit but the research on them is too preliminary to recommend excessive consumption. Stay tuned!
Add These Anti-inflammatory Products To Your Diet:
Fiber: High fibrous foods include legumes, dark green vegetables, whole intact grains, nuts, seeds and some fruits such as pears, apples and strawberries. To better understand fiber’s role in weight loss and overall health, read my previous column.
Omega 3s: These polyunsaturated fats found in some fish such as salmon, rainbow trout, tuna, herring and sardines suppress inflammation in our bodies. Consume these fish healthfully prepared – baked, broiled or grilled – at least 2-3 times a week. Don’t like fish? Here’s the high quality fish oil I recommend.
Dark Leafy Greens, Berries and Tomatoes*: Research shows dark leafy greens such as spinach, kale, and collards, as well as tomatoes*, strawberries, apples, tart cherries, blueberries and oranges contain the highest level of these compounds. *Tomatoes along with eggplant, potatoes, and peppers may trigger inflammation in some individuals with arthritis. If so, avoid.
Nuts: Almonds and walnuts, in particular, but all nuts contain a healthy dose of vitamin E and other antioxidants that fight inflammation and repair damage done by an overactive immune system. Enjoy a handful 3-4 times a week to reap their benefit.
Olive Oil: This Mediterranean diet staple contains oleocanthal, a compound shown to have a similar effect in the body as NSAID painkillers.
Spices: Turmeric, parsley, oregano, cinnamon, rosemary and ginger contain the highest amounts of compounds that may neutralize pro-inflammatory free radicals in our body.
Takeaway: Aim for a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole intact grains, nuts, seeds, healthy vegetable oils, and fish, principles of the much-touted anti-inflammatory Mediterranean diet.
In addition to making these dietary changes, avoid tobacco, stay active and maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight is a risk factor for inflammation since fat cells are metabolically active and produce inflammatory proteins.
For help with your diet, contact Jean Varney at jean@eatrightbefitlivewell.com. All consultations are conducted over the phone.
This article is for informational purposes only, is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and is not a substitute for medical advice.
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