Recently, inflammation in the body has been shown to cause many different health issues, such as acne, digestive problems, obesity, and even Alzheimer’s. However, even though more and more studies support this theory, inflammation can sometimes be a positive thing.
For instance, when an illness or injury is detected by the body, the immune system sends lymphatic fluid, white blood cells, and T cells to the affected area. Blood and water also arrive in that area to flush it and remove all the toxins.
This antibody rush causes pain, increased circulation, and swelling. These three things help the body defend itself from infection or illness. So, inflammation can happen both externally and internally. It appears externally in the case of a scratch, bump, scrape, or bruise, and internally in the case of a disease or infection.
Acute inflammation is a type of immune response that subsides when the injury heals. Foods can also cause inflammation. However, this inflammation is not acute; it is chronic inflammation that cannot go away. As the inflammation continues to exist, chronically inflamed organs lack vital nutrients, degenerate, and toxins start to build up in the affected organs. Eventually, many organs can become damaged, such as the bones, intestines, skin, heart, joints, pancreas, and kidneys.
Constant inflammation in the body is caused by a diet that consists of many inflammatory foods. In this case, the immune system is constantly fighting inflammation and cannot protect the body from other threats, such as abnormal cells in the prostate or breast tissue. According to the information, diseases are merely symptoms of inflammation, which the body is trying to stop.
Diet That Harms Your Body
Whether our body will be constantly affected by a certain disease is determined by the diet we eat. The Western lifestyle, which is full of stress and has no time for cooking, has led us to eat packaged goods and fast foods. These food products are loaded with pro-inflammatory substances and contain no vital nutrients.
These products include artificial sweeteners, trans fats, hydrogenated oils, sugars, processed meats, and refined starches. If you constantly include these inflammatory foods in your diet, your body will no longer be able to respond to fat-regulating hormones, and blood sugar levels will rise.
According to experts, our bodies are confused by these contemporary foods, as they have only been introduced into the human diet recently—within the last 60 years. Therefore, there is inflammation as a natural immune response to deal with the inflammatory modern food products that we consume.
Even people who don’t consume unhealthy fats and junk food must pay attention to the ratio of beneficial fats they eat. This includes omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. People in the U.S. consume a lot of omega-6 fatty acids, while the consumption of omega-3 fatty acids is very small. The ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fats is 30 to 1, and this is caused by all the packaged foods that we eat, including natural and organic foods. Low-grade inflammation in the body can occur due to consuming too many omega-6 fatty acids, as these acids are pro-inflammatory.
The inflammation causes the oxidation of bad cholesterol or LDL cholesterol. Then the cholesterol becomes stickier and can easily cling to the artery walls, causing heart disease. Consuming more omega-3 fatty acids helps stop the damage caused by omega-6 fats. Omega-3 fats also prevent the oxidation of bad cholesterol.
Other Triggers of Inflammation
Allergies or an immune response to different foods can also cause inflammation in the body. In this case, even healthy foods can cause inflammation if the body has an allergic reaction to a particular food. The inflammation can be signaled by pain, bloating, and gas.
For instance, according to dietitians, the nightshade family of plants, which includes eggplants, tomatoes, and potatoes, makes inflammation worse. The alkaloid solanine in these vegetables can cause joint pain, especially among people who suffer from arthritis. If you have this problem, try avoiding these vegetables for several weeks and see whether your pain disappears.
Inflammation in the body can also be caused by an acid-alkaline imbalance. Inflamed cells in the body cannot heal in an acidic pH environment. To alkalize your body, avoid fruit juices, refined foods, sugar, alcohol, black tea, and coffee. Reduce the intake of fruits, meats, grains, and dairy. Consume more beans, spices, and vegetables.
Calm Inflammation with Food
Consume more anti-inflammatory foods. They will calm down chronic inflammation, give you more energy, and help you maintain a healthy weight.
Add at least one of the following foods to your diet:
Hot peppers
Capsaicin in jalapeños, cayenne, and other chili peppers is a natural anti-inflammatory medicine that inhibits the COX-2 enzyme, which causes inflammation in several different inflammatory diseases, including arthritis.
Onions and apples
Apples (their skin) and onions contain a natural histamine inhibitor called quercetin, which is effective against environmental allergies that cause inflammation.
Pineapples
Bromelain in pineapples contains enzymes that are effective against inflammation and pain as they minimize swelling. Eat fresh pineapples, as the effects of bromelain are reduced with heating.
Dark leafy greens
The omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid in these vegetables has the same anti-inflammatory effects as the omega-3 in fish.
Pumpkin seeds, walnuts, and flaxseeds
Raw pumpkin seeds, walnuts, and flaxseeds contain omega-3 fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory effects.
Oily fish
Organically-raised sardines, mackerels, and salmon are loaded with omega-3. Eat the entire fish, as most of the omega-3 is found in the brown fat near the skin.
Olive oil and olives
The oleic acid in olive oil and olives contains omega-9 fats that aid the anti-inflammatory effects of omega-3 fatty acids.
Avoid the following foods
- Baked goods
- Bagels
- Fried foods
- Pastries
- Sugar
- Margarine
- Soda
- Snack foods
- Hard cheeses
- Jams