A good diet can’t guarantee a longer life, but if you eat healthy foods and forget about the processed junk, your chances of living a longer life do improve. Keep reading to learn more about reducing inflammation in the body for a longer life…
Inflammation affects the body in many ways and the foods you choose can help slow down the process.
You don’t want to live to be 100 years old while suffering from illnesses for the last half of your life.
Scientists are really starting to understand that inflammation is one of the main culprits in many chronic and acute diseases because it affects your body in two different ways:
Good Inflammation
What is good inflammation?
Good inflammation is when you get a small cut and the skin around the cut swells and turns red – beginning the healing process. This is good inflammation.
Bad Inflammation
What is bad inflammation?
Low-level and chronic inflammation isn’t really noticeable until a serious acute disease develops within the body.
Free-radicals also play a part in bad inflammation by attacking the healthy cells in your body.
What are free radicals?
Free radicals are the byproducts of the natural aging process, pollution, poor diet, stress, toxins, and allergens.
Over time, bad inflammation may cause and worsen diseases such as:
- Heart Disease
- Atherosclerosis
- Colitis
- High Blood Pressure
- Arthritis
- Diabetes
- Cancer
- & More
How Can You Test For Inflammation?
Chronic inflammation isn’t 100% detectable, but you can ask your doctor to run a C-reactive protein test (CRP test). Higher levels of CRP means more inflammation within the body, and these higher levels are linked to heart and blood vessel disease.
However, this is GREAT news!
You can help minimize inflammation by eating the right kinds of food.
Making sure you are consuming a proper amount of vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, and phytonutrients can help reduce your inflammation by reducing free-radicals. In fact, combining moderate exercise, a healthy diet, and removing substance use from your lifestyle is one of the most effective holistic ways to reduce inflammation.
What Are The Best Foods To Reduce Inflammation?
1. Berries
Berries are packed with phytochemicals, including phenols, anthocyanins, and flavonoids, which help protect the body against free radical damage and oxidation.
2. Orange & Yellow Produce
Orange and yellow produce are a great source of beta-cryptoxanthin, a precursor to vitamin A.
3. Teas
Green tea contains a polyphenol called EGCG, which can stop the expression of a gene that jumpstarts the inflammatory response.
4. Olive Oil
Olive oil (and walnut oil) has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce the risk of heart disease.
5. Fatty Fish
Fatty fish, such as salmon, mackerel, or trout, is high in omega-3 fatty acids – a compound with powerful anti-inflammatory benefits.
6. Spices & Herbs
Adding spices and herbs such as curry powder, turmeric, and/or ginger to your meals can increase the inflammation-combating powers of the whole foods you consume.
Conclusion
Keeping a healthy immune system is vital for your survival. Optimized immune health can destroy viruses and bacteria that cause disease, stop cell damage that can lead to diseases like cancer and heart disease, and fight infection after injuries.
