Inflammation Prevention Improves Quality of Life

We’re learning every day that what we eat affects how we feel, both good and bad, so learn more about how to prevent inflammation in the body by simply changing what you eat.

Food is medicine and poison, healthy or deadly, depending on how you consume and prepare it. Our bodies can take a lot of punishment, but like a fine automobile, when you put the wrong fuel into the body, the results can be devastating. Americans have moved away from more natural diets to more processed ones, due to convenience, technology and expense, but our bodies and our health are paying a much higher cost.

Inflammation in the body causes so much damage and can be a warning sign from anything to simply fatigue all the way up to cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. Inflammation is a warning from your body that something is wrong and it needs to be addressed quickly. The best way to address inflammation is to avoid it, but if you can’t avoid it, you need to reduce or eliminate it as fast as possible.

Medication for Inflammation Reduction

Of course, we can take pills prescribed by our doctors, put more chemicals and toxins into you bodies, and reduce inflammation that way, but this really isn’t the best choice, when a few simple lifestyle changes-such as changing your diet ever so slightly to eliminate inflammation causing foods and add in inflammation preventing foods-are so easy to do.

Skip the pills if you can and let’s look at some foods that can help you eliminate or prevent inflammation in your body.

Foods that Prevent or Eliminate Inflammation

Fruits and Vegetables: There is no way around it, fruits and vegetables are the best foods you can eat in your healthy diet to help prevent inflammation. They contain all the nutritional value you need, with lower fat and calories than processed foods. The more ‘raw’ you can eat these, the better too. Boiling and frying just doesn’t give the same health properties.

Avoid nightshade vegetables and fruits, such as tomatoes, potatoes, etc, because these are known to cause inflammation in some people-stick with the bright colored fruits and vegetables, such as squash, beans, apples, oranges, berries, carrots, and peppers.

Good Oils and Fats: Everyone hears ‘fat’ and thinks ‘bad’, but there are some very healthful fats that should be in everyone’s diet. The Omega 3 Fatty Acids are essential for healthy function and also for preserving brain function as we age (according to my cardiologist). Additionally, the good fats from things such as nuts and avocado can help with heart health.

Clear, Clean, Fresh Water: It is very likely most Americans are not drinking enough clean water. Sodas, juices, coffees, teas, yes, they all contain water, but it’s not the same as drinking fresh, clear water each day. Not only does water help keep you hydrated, but it can improve your skin, keep you looking young longer, reduces inflammation in the body, removes and flushes out toxins, and does so many other things. Try adding just one extra glass of water to your diet per day by replacing just one soda, then another, until you are drinking mostly water.

If you can add just these things into your diet more-fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, good fats and oils, and water-while eliminating or replacing processed foods (such as fast food, boxed meals, and ‘diet products’), you can go a long way to reducing inflammation in your body through your diet alone.

Avoid Sodium to Avoid Inflammation

Lastly, avoid sodium whenever possible. Sodium can cause fluid retention, build up of pressure in the veins and arteries, and promotes inflammation. It takes a while to get used to a diet with lower or low-sodium, but once you do, you’ll be amazed how fresh, sweet and wonderful foods can taste. Give your tongue two full weeks to get used to a lower sodium diet, and you’ll never want to go back to salting your foods again, and you’ll see a huge difference in your inflammation levels if sodium was contributing to your inflammation.

Dr. Wiel’s Anti-Inflammatory Diet Plan

If you’re looking for a full diet plan, or at least a way to get started on a diet plan to reduce inflammation, Dr. Andrew Wiel has a diet plan on his website that can assist you with getting started on an anti-inflammatory eating program.