Inflammation is the body's
natural way to fight infection and respond to harmful organisms, irritants,
damaged tissue or toxic overload. However, this natural response to temporary
problems should result in a system-wide "all clear" within a few days
or weeks. If it doesn't, you could be suffering from chronic inflammation,
which is far from natural or healthy. If you're having persistent trouble with
swelling, redness, pain, fever, loss of appetite or general malaise, try
alleviating your symptoms with these 10 foods that fight inflammation.
1. Fatty Fish
Start your anti-inflammation journey by heading
to the seafood counter for fresh cuts of tuna, salmon and mackerel, then bake
or boil them to keep things healthy. Keep in mind that, while whitefish such as
cod and sole are beneficial sources of lean protein, they do not provide the
same inflammation-fighting properties as their oilier counterparts.
2. Avocado
In addition to being a great source of
monounsaturated fats, avocado has the power to reduce inflammation. It's a much
healthier source of fat than killer trans fats and goes well with many
cuisines. Aim for five to seven servings of healthy fats per day, such as
topping your salad with avocado, blending it into a dressing or just eating it
plain.
3. Leafy Greens
Dark leafy greens such as kale, broccoli and
collards can amp up your body's inflammation-reducing abilities without
changing your kitchen routine. Sub in a serving or two per day in place of
lighter-colored leaves for the best shot at killing swelling.
4. Turmeric
This traditionally Indian spice is an
anti-inflammatory superstar. Its historical use in Eastern medicine has proven
its use in treating a variety of inflammatory conditions, such as toothache,
bruises, rheumatoid arthritis and general joint swelling. Add a
dash of it to your stir-fries or curries for an easy dose of its
inflammation-fighting properties.
5. Walnuts
Like other tree nuts, walnuts impart a variety
of health benefits to those who eat them regularly. They
have anti-inflammatory as well as antioxidant properties and also possess
important nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, copper, manganese, molybdenum
and biotin. Shoot for an ounce, or about 14 walnuts halves, every day.
6. Peppers
Both bell peppers and hot peppers provide a
whole, healthy, colorful addition to your anti-inflammatory regime. The
chemical capsaicin, found in a variety of spicy peppers, is often used in
topical ointments geared toward reducing pain and inflammation. However, peppers may provoke an
even greater immune response in some people. The best idea when adding them to
your diet is to keep your other food choices static and watch for any changes:
If you notice an increase in symptoms, speak with a nutritionist or cut out the
peppers.
7. Olive Oil
Aside from its raft of other health benefits,
including weight loss and lowering cholesterol, olive oil helps reduce
inflammation. However, studies show that only
extra-virgin olive oil obtained from the first pressing of the olives delivers
these benefits, so stick with the good stuff.
8. Ginger
Ginger not only fights inflammation but also
works to stop it in its tracks by suppressing the formation of inflammatory
compounds in the first place. Gingerols, the chemicals in ginger responsible
for its anti-inflammatory properties, are reported to reduce pain and swelling
in sufferers of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. For the culinarily
adventurous, adding ginger requires nothing more than a fresh root and the will
to do so; for the novice foodie, try adding a bit of ginger into your next
smoothie.
9. Beets
Brightly colored and earthy-flavored, beets
provide heart and cancer protection as well as vitamin C in addition to their
power to reduce swelling. They taste fantastic roasted, boiled and grated raw
on salads, and in summer are available in shades of red, orange, yellow and
pink as well as multicolored varieties.
Dominick Hussey
Osteopath Ottawa
Source: Natural News
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