Inflammation doesn’t always show its true colours; at least not in the way you would typically think.
Most people would describe signs of inflammation as swelling, bruising, painful, soreness and reduced mobility. While these are definitely true signs of inflammation there are not the only ones.
Acne, Eczema, Psoriasis, Headaches, Digestive Upset, Swollen Lymph, Rashes, Hives, Sinus Congestion, Bloating, Gas, Fatigue, Itchy Ears and Eyes, ark Circles under Your Eyes, Food Cravings…just to name a few!
The good news is that inflammation is fixable: Our best tool to reverse inflammation is NOT A DRUG, but instead through our diets.
Try including some or better yet ALL of these tips below and watch that by simply eliminating the foods that irritate your body most and eating more of those that help your body combat inflammation, you’ll get rid of most of the above PLUS produce fewer ‘weight-gain’ hormones and have more energy!
Sounds like a great, calm-down, slim-down strategy to me!
  1. Color me happy – Chalk another one up for the health benefits of fruits and vegetables! Although many varieties have anti-inflammatory properties, green leafy vegetables, green and vibrantly-hued vegetables, and berries deliver the heftiest doses of inflammation-busting phytochemicals and antioxidants. However, watch out for vegetables from the nightshade family of plants – which include potatoes, tomatoes and eggplants – which have a chemical alkaloid called solanine that may trigger pain in some people and thus synthesize the symptoms of inflammation.
  2. Hey, Fatty (acids) – For years, dieting gurus recommended cutting out fat from the diet. The upshot? People got bigger and also got sicker. The reasoning? Turns out fatty acids – and particularly Omega-3 essential fatty acids – contain powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Up your acid ante by adding cold water oily fish (such as salmon, tuna and halibut), avocados, healthy oils such as olive oil, coconut oil, grape seed, safflower and hemp. Look to raw nuts and seeds such as walnuts, pecans, almonds, ground flaxseed, hemp, sunflower, pumpkin and sesame seeds.
  3. Spice up your life -Think herbs and spices are only good for adding a little flavor to your food. Turns out many of them also contain high levels of antioxidants and other beneficial compounds that can reduce inflammation and dull pain. One spice frequently touted for its anti-inflammatory properties is capsaicin, which is a naturally occurring ingredient in chili peppers, as well as rosemary, which has rosmarinic acid and ginger which has vanillin and zingerone. Other good sources include basil, bay leaves, cumin, coriander, dill, fennel, garlic, hyssop, oregano, pepper, sage, and thyme as well as goji, green tea extract, spirulina and willow bark, which contain salicylic acid, one of the active ingredients in aspirin.
  4. Reduce the amount of animal products you consume – rich in arachadonic acid, excess animal products will raise the level of prostaglandins and add fire to your inflammation.
  5. Bread, pastry, pasta…really, just sugar in general. In addition to helping pack on the pounds, simple carbohydrates also rev up inflammation by causing surges in blood sugar that promote a chemical reaction in cells called glycosylation, or the browning effect. To minimize these effects and ensure that you are getting enough healthy B vitamin rich complex carbs, include ancient grains such as spelt and kamut as well as gluten free grains such as quinoa, millet, amaranth, brown rice and buckwheat.
  6. Are you Sensitive? Another food source you need to steer clear of? Any item that may cause an inflammatory response. For some people, this might mean wheat, eggs, gluten, dairy, soy, or some forms of nuts. To determine whether you have a sensitivity to a particular food, try eliminating it for at least two weeks and see if symptoms such as lethargy, headaches or bloating subside. Arduous? Yes. Worthwhile? Certainly, if it means living a healthier – and longer – life. Of course, you know our stance on grains, so any reduction in grain products has benefits beyond the anti-inflammatory properties.
  7. Probiotic power – They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, but turns out that’s also the same route to reduced inflammation! In the gut, beneficial bacteria is a naturally occurring phenomenon, but antibiotic use, stress, and poor diet can all upset this delicate balance, resulting in an infiltration of undesirable bacteria that can lead to inflammation. Keep the good guys employed – and the bad guys out of business – by adding acidophilus, bifidus and other probiotics into your diet for a few weeks, either through live active culture yogurts or with supplements.
  8. Work it out – When it comes to inflammation, exercise serves as somewhat of a double-edged sword. On one hand, a heavy workout session can cause acute inflammation, yet overall it actually reduces the risk of future chronic inflammation. As with most things, moderation is key, so embark on a fitness routine that includes strength, stretch and fluidity!
  9. Sleep it off – Having a few restless nights not only makes you feel crappy – and crabby! – but can also exacerbate any underlying symptoms of inflammation. To ensure adequate sleep, experts recommend snoozing for at least 7-9 hours nightly, with sleep requirements varying based on age, activity level, overall health and other factors.
  10. 10.  Use only natural body care products – Stay away from anything containing parabens, sodium laureth sulfate, PEG 70, DMDN Hydantonin, EDTA etc. these are harmful chemicals that can and will impact your inflammatory responses and your hormones. Almond, olive, jojoba, coconut, emu and shea oil are your best sources for your body. All natural soaps, makeup, feminine products etc will help you too.

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