Inflammation
Inflammation is your bodies natural defence against infections, stress and toxins. When your immune system detects something is not right it produces proteins that are meant to protect your cells and tissue. There are 2 types of inflammation acute and chronic.
Acute inflammation is our bodies healthy response to an injury or infection, signs of this can be pain, heat, redness and swelling, it’s our bodies natural healing process the good type of inflammation, it shows us our body is fighting off the infection. Chronic inflammation is when our immune system overreacts and begins attacking healthy tissue.
Chronic inflammation is the root of most diseases (asthma, arthritis, Alzheimer's, eczema, cancer, diabetes to name a few) and it originates in the digestive system. By fighting the inflammation with anti inflammatory foods we will see symptoms of the these diseases reduce or even the disease itself disappear.
Following an anti inflammatory diet can be one of the best things you can do for yourself. Try adding some of the below foods into you daily diet.
Top 12 inflammation fighting foods
- Green leafy vegetables - rich in antioxidants that restore cellular health.
- Bok choy - robust antioxidants that scavenge free radicals
- Celery - anti inflammatory properties that help improve blood pressure and cholesterol levels. excellent source of potassium.
- Broccoli - vitamins, flavonoids and carotenoids which work to lower oxidative stress.
- Beetroot - fights and repairs damage caused by inflammation
- Blueberries - Contains quercetin which fights inflammation
- Turmeric - contains several anti inflammatory compounds
- Salmon - excellent source of omega 3’s which are excellent anti inflammatory fighters.
- Bone broth - contains chondroitin sulphates and glucosamine with reduce inflammation especially in arthritis and joint pain.
- Chia seeds - which contain both omega 3 and 6. It has the ability to reverse inflammation.
- Ginger - acts as an immune modulator that helps reduce inflammation.
- Flaxseeds - contain polyphenols which support the growth of probiotics in the gut.
*Try adding a super food smoothie to your morning routine contain some of the above ingredients.
While adding the above to your diet, start removing the list of foods below.
- Vegetable oils
- Alcohol
- Artificial sweeteners
- Processed meat
- Dairy (if you are intolerant
- Grains (if you are intolerant)
- Refined sugars and carbohydrates.
- Processed foods