This week I increased reps and weights of my program (and I can tell you that I feel feel it today), I wondered how I could fight against inflammation in natural way. What are the foods that are effective? Because after all, I know a few.
For starters there are 2 types of inflammation. Acute inflammation in the short term which is usually triggered by injury and increases blood flow to the affected area. In this case, an anti-inflammatory reduces swelling, fever and pain. Chronic inflammation lasts longer and is associated with obesity, diabetes and other conditions. Dietary changes can prevent chronic inflammation and of course some foods are more powerful than others.
Many foods have anti-inflammatory properties such as kale, cabbage, broccoli, berries, cherries, pomegranate, grapes, tomatoes, onions, garlic, cocoa, mushrooms, turmeric and ginger. As said Joel Fuhrmann, M.D., bestseller author of New York Times “Eat To Live”: “Phytochemicals these foods are beneficial in many ways, for example, by changing the pro-inflammatory genes and reducing production pro-inflammatory elements”.
Curcumin, a compound of turmeric plant, is one of the most promising medicine of nature. According to an article in the Annual Review of Nutrition, curcumin lowers blood sugar, cholesterol improves health and helps to better control atheroscleose. Curcumin may also counteract apoptosis, which avoids that when the cell is self-terminates become cancer cells.
Turmeric is not easy to absorb this is why it is eaten with spices (pepper) or fats (nuts) to ease its integration into the body.
“I recommend a diet centered greens beans, onions, mushrooms, berries and seeds that provide a variety of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant foods” says Fuhrman. “It is not enough of a food / spice to make it truly effective, it must follow a diet”.
It only needs now to add these foods to meals.
-Steph