Taming Inflammation

Occasional inflammation, like a swollen sprained ankle or painful cut, is healthy. It’s a sign that the body’s immune system is healing injuries and fighting off bacteria. While a little bothersome, the inflammation is due to go away in a few days. A type of inflammation that’s not so healthy is chronic inflammation. It’s triggered by the immune system responding to irritants or foreign compounds, often in food or the environment.

Research has linked it to obesity, metabolic syndrome, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. The right food choices can help control and prevent chronic inflammation. To be aware here some foods that can cause inflammation and some that help control it.

Try to limit or eliminate excessive alcohol, regularly eating more calories than your body needs, trans and saturated fats, fried foods, refined carbs like white bread and white rice, added sugars, artificial sweeteners, high-fat meats, and processed meats as much as possible. When eating add in these to help prevent inflammation; extra-virgin olive oil, avocado, tomatoes, quinoa, omega-3 eggs, orange, grapefruit, Spinach, whole grain, black beans, turmeric, ginger, Miso, apples, chia seeds and so much more!