10 Top Foods that Prevent Inflammation in Your Body

Posted August 5, 2010. There have been 14 comments


Do you want to feel healthy, energetic, and fight disease and the signs of aging? Then you need to know about inflammation and how to reduce it.

If you have heart disease, high blood pressure, bacterial or viral infections, osteoporosis, arthritis, acid reflux, candidiasis or acne, then you could also have chronic, low-grade inflammation. In fact, if you have any number of other diseases, it is likely you have inflammation. And if you want to get or remain healthy, you definitely want to reduce the damaging effects of it!

Inflammation has a positive and negative affect in your body. Inflammation has a positive side because it helps your body respond to stress. But chronic low-grade inflammation is thought to be one of the leading causes of disease, premature aging and illness.

When you get a cold, your body responds with inflammation in the form of a fever that helps you heal. The inflammation does its job, gets rid of the virus, and disappears. But if your immunity is compromised and your body is constantly stressed, you might experience chronic low-grade inflammation that leaves you more susceptible to illness and disease.

Fight Inflammation the Natural Way

You can help your body fight inflammation by reducing stress, eliminating sugar and processed foods, and getting enough sunshine.

Diet is a key part of your inflammation-fighting plan, and some foods have amazing anti-inflammatory properties.
Here 10 excellent inflammation-fighting foods and ways to incorporate them into your lifestyle:1

  1. Fermented Foods and Liquids like Dong QuaiInnergyBioticWhole Grain Biotic and Coco-Bioticshould be at the top of your list of inflammation-fighting foods. They are anti-inflammation super stars for many reasons. One example is that they build immunity and help control infections that are often an underlying cause of inflammation
  2. Broccoli has tons of vitamin C and plenty of calcium. It also fights eye inflammation. Make sure you lightly steam your broccoli to digest it well.
  3. Hemp oil (and all other oils with omega-3 fatty acids) reduce inflammation. Most Americans consume too many omega-6 fatty acids, so it's important to incorporate more omega-3 fatty acids. Hemp oil also has gamma-linoleic acid (GLA) to further fight inflammation. Remember to look for unrefined organic oils.
  4. Wild-caught salmon is another way to get beneficial omega-3 fatty acids. You can also try other fatty fish like cod and sardines.
  5. TRUessence Essential Oils

    Did you know that high quality, therapeutic essential oils, like the ones from TRUessence, have amazing anti inflammatory effects on your body? On top of that they can also supercharge your immune system, reduce pain and even flavor and purify your drinking water.

    Tart cherries can reduce inflammation ten times better than aspirin! Once your inner ecosystem is well underway you are in stage 2 of Body Ecology. Tart cherries help reduce your risk for heart disease. They are certainly more delicious than the popular over-the-counter pill you are likely familiar with.

  6. Soaked walnuts make a delicious and inflammation-fighting snack when you are ready for stage 2 of Body Ecology because of vitamin E and more heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Soak your walnuts and other nuts before you eat them to remove the enzyme inhibitor. This makes them easier to digest.
  7. Onions and Garlic. Onions not only provide a sweet taste to your savory meals, but also they have lots of quercetin, a potent antioxidant that can help your body fight inflammation. Try onions with your grain dishes, or prepare with eggs and greens. Garlic has long been a folk remedy for colds and illness, and its anti-inflammatory properties are amazing! Garlic contains sulfur compounds that stimulate your immune system to fight disease.
  8. Fermented Foods and Liquids like Dong Quai, InnergyBiotic, and Coco-Biotic should be at the top of your list of inflammation-fighting foods. They are anti-inflammation super stars for many reasons. One example is that they build immunity and help control infections that are often an underlying cause of inflammation.
  9. Pineapple is a tart fruit that you can begin to eat in Stage 2 of the Body Ecology diet. It has bromelain, an antioxidant that boosts your immunity naturally.
  10. Spinach has plenty of carotenoids, one kind of inflammation-reducing antioxidant and it also contains vitamin E.  Make sure to steam your spinach for ultimate digestion.
  11. We highly recommend the oil found in Green Pasture™ has developed Blue Ice,™ a fermented cod liver oil. Superior to normal fish oil, this potent marine supplement can relieve inflammation and reduce joint pain! Try some today.

    Spices: Ginger & Turmeric

    • Turmeric is a spice used extensively in other cultures, and for good reason. It contains curcumin, a substance that actively reduces inflammation. Try sprinkling turmeric onto cooked squash or quinoa for a different flavor.
    • Ginger works in a way similar to turmeric to lower inflammation and in some studies has been shown to reduce pain associated with arthritis.

While processed foods may seem like the easier choice at first, they deplete your health over the long haul.

Developing a healthy eating plan can sometimes seem difficult but like anything that is new, it becomes second nature over time. And the payoff is well worth it: with a proper diet, you can take a proactive stance against inflammation and disease by incorporating these superfoods into your life.

With diet and lifestyle choices that support your health, you'll fight disease, illness and the signs of aging!

Sources:

  1. Dominick, Heather,"4 Foods PROVEN to Fight Inflammation," http://ezinearticles.com/?4-Foods-PROVEN-to-Fight-Inflammation&id=139191
  2. Underwood, Anne, "Anti-Inflammatories: The New Superfoods," Health.com.
    http://www.health.com/health/article/0,23414,1076460,00.html
  3. Ginger, University of Maryland Medical Center, UMM.edu. http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/ginger-000246.htm
  4. Turner, Lisa, "10 Foods to Fight Inflammation," BetterNutrition.com.
    http://www.betternutrition.com/document/624

Post Categories: General Health

14 Comments

  • Thanks you for the article. I'm researching the elements of an anti-inflammatory diet for a friend who has cancer. I'm also part of the grass-roots campaign to "Help Spread the Health" through "Earthing" ; connecting yourself to the natural, healing energy of the earth through barefoot walking outdoors. On going research documents how Earthing decreases chronic inflammation which is an underlying contributor to every disease. We have a website for people to start the discussion and share their Earthing experiences http://www.EarthingTestimonials.com.

    Posted on May 22 at 7:30 am

  • I am truly greatful for this information on this website, I am seriously going to give this chronic total body inflamation a huge fight to be healther starting today!

    Posted on Apr 23 at 8:14 am

  • I got arthritis and gout.After having 2 strokes, 2 heart-attacks and 2 seizures, I am now in a wheel-chair. I am on blood thinner. The pain really hurts but through God I can do every thing and any thing who strengths me. When I touched each part of my body, it really hurts. My fingers, wrists, elbows neck, knees, legs, ankels, and toes is swollen and is in pain. I am praying to God that it will be alright.

    Posted on Apr 19 at 5:57 pm

  • Im 38 and have inflammation i have started juicing and eating healthly. I would like to know different veggies I can buy.

    Posted on Apr 1 at 9:45 am

  • i have gout and arthritis i need help i was in an car accident that made every thing worst i want
    to help the swelling from my neck to my feet the inflammation and pain is driving me crazy
    don't need to take any more pill need help

    Posted on Mar 11 at 4:02 pm

  • check this out carol good stuff, I just made some green tea with graded ginger in it...

    Posted on Sep 28 at 7:22 pm

  • I can highly recommend Turmeric and Ginger! I suffer from gout etc and I do find that Tuermeric and ginger does ease the pain.

    Posted on Sep 21 at 1:42 am

  • i have inflation of the cervics for over 1/2 year and am not on any kind of treatment ,what should i do ,a void it turning worse.

    Posted on Aug 28 at 7:28 am

  • I loved the information that you've submitted. I have a chronic case of sciatica, and a herneiated
    disc.However, I've refused the surgery, and will now try some of the suggestions that you've offered. I spen many sleepless nights. Is there a vitamin that I can take?

    Posted on Aug 5 at 6:47 am

  • Why do people who may serving suggestions for spinach constantly over look the inpotance of Citrus used in conjuction to allow for absorbtion of all its nutreints?

    Posted on Jul 13 at 5:57 pm

  • I wonder if anyone would like to comment on the world health organization's advisory against eating fermented vegetables, like kimchi. I don't know if that's the same as the "fermented foods and liquids" talked about here, but fermented vegetables in particular are associated with increased risk of esophageal cancer.

    Posted on Jul 8 at 5:49 pm

  • Great article with some great information. By adding the suggestions in number 11 & 7, you can make just about any dish help fight the war against inflammation. I also add omega-3's in the form of a gel capsule supplement to help with inflammation.

    Posted on Jul 5 at 3:24 pm

  • I'm so fascinated by the whole body ecology diet. I'm a vegan so I don't eat salmon. Can we use Algal oil in place of salmon?

    Posted on Jun 24 at 1:30 pm

  • Excellent information in this article. Lately, I have heard complaints of arthritis from several of my friends. They put it down to getting older and accept it. I'm a strong believer that eating healthful foods can make the difference.

    Posted on Jun 6 at 1:02 pm

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