Inflammation
Discover ways you can prevent chronic inflammation,
a condition that can lead to many health problems.
Foods, supplements and even lifestyle changes can all help.
Inflammation has an important role to play in the body’s immune response. It aids healing after injury (think: swelling from a sprained ankle) and helps isolate and stop the spread of infection (swelling and redness surrounding a wound). A problem occurs when inflammation is chronic, or ongoing. That’s when it can be an accomplice to a host of health issues including Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, cancer, depression, diabetes, heart disease, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease. Chronic inflammation can have a wide range of causes including exposure to toxins, long-term stress, obesity and autoimmune disorders. Diet can also come into play: Some foods trigger inflammation while others have a beneficial effect. And finally there is the impact of lifestyle. Exercising, getting enough sleep, keeping weight under control, taming stress and reducing blood sugar have all been shown to have a favorable impact on inflammation.
Untreated chronic inflammation is a major threat to health and longevity. However, it’s often invisible and only detected through a medical evaluation.
Your doctor can review symptoms, if any, conduct a physical and order blood tests to detect inflammation. These tests look for inflammation markers—such as specific proteins and cytokines associated with heart disease, Alzheimer’s, diabetes and arthritis—that increase when inflammation is present. However, the tests do not pinpoint the cause of the inflammation.
More than
of all deaths worldwide can
be attributed to diseases associated with inflammation.
50%
foods to eat
vegetables
Especially broccoli, chard, collard greens, kale, spinach
Fruits
Such as apples, avocados, blackberries, blueberries, cherries, raspberries and strawberries.
These foods offer beneficial
antioxidants, omega-3s, vitamins and minerals.
legumes
Such as beans, lentils, peas and peanuts.
beverages
Including green and black tea.
fatty fish
Such as salmon, mackerel, tuna and sardines.
Nuts
Including almonds, hazelnuts, pecans, pistachios and walnuts.
In margarine, corn oil, deep-fried foods and many processed foods.
trans fats
In butter, ghee, lard, coconut oil,
palm oil, baked goods, cured
meats and cheese.
saturated fats
such as bacon, bologna, hot dogs, beef jerky, pepperoni, salami and sausage.
red and
processed meats
In breads, crackers, granola bars, salad dressings and
sugary cereals.
ADDED SUGARS
Especially when prepared in
corn, cottonseed, soybean
or sunflower oil.
Deep-Fried foods
In many white foods
including white bread,
white rice, pasta, pastries.
refined carbs
foods to avoid
These foods can trigger or worsen inflammation.
Fighting
Motion
Motion
SHARE