Anti-Inflammatory Diet
The Fire Burning Inside Your System-
There is a hidden culprit inside your body that’s linked to everything from obesity to most of the chronic diseases of aging: Chronic Inflammation.
Acute inflammation is an important part of the body’s natural defense system. This normal type of inflammation is a good thing. It helps your body protect and heal itself. However, our modern lifestyle promotes chronic, ongoing inflammation that becomes physiologically destructive, like a slow burning fire. This process has been found to be a root cause of most chronic degenerative diseases including pain syndromes, fatigue, autoimmune disorders, allergies, heart disease, diabetes, dementia, digestive disorders and even obesity.
WHAT CAUSES CHRONIC INFLAMMATION?
The standard American diet (SAD) is the main cause of chronic inflammation; a diet high in sugar, refined carbohydrates, processed food, inflammatory fats (omega 6 fats like processed vegetable oils, trans fats & saturated fats) and low in fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts and “good fats” (omega 3 fats like avocado and olive oil). Inadequate intake of fruits and vegetables results in a suboptimal intake of antioxidants, phytochemicals, and essential fatty acids, the perfect scenario to promote inflammation and disease. Historical sugar intake is 15 grams/day, today the average American gets 75 grams. The body responds with increased insulin levels which leads to insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome which are inflammatory in nature. Food sensitivities, gluten, dairy, and processed foods in our SAD diet also contribute to this problem by causing leaky gut syndrome or dysbiosis.
Other factors that contribute to chronic inflammation include- stress, lack of exercise, obesity itself, exposure to toxins, hidden infections with viruses, bacteria or yeast (e.g. Lyme’s), molds and mold toxicity.
How to Cool the Fire -
Food is Medicine- The key to deflaming is diet. The lion’s share of calories should come from whole, real foods- as God made them. Eliminate sugar and highly processed & inflammatory “foods” full of chemicals and preservatives. Emphasize a high fiber, plant-based diet of fruits and vegetables. Eat healthy fats from olive oil, nuts, avocados and omega 3 fats from small fish, grass fed beef and eggs.
Optimal Health vs Disease Focus
Traditional medicine focuses on diagnosing and modifying disease. To achieve optimal health is a different focus that encompasses vison, motivation and work. Assess your state of health: Where are you at now, where would you like to be, and what are you willing to do to achieve your own health goals. Simple steps can have a profound influence on your health. For example, three levels of dietary strategies you could try:
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Eliminate all sugar and gluten-
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Mediterranean diet- vegetables, fruits, healthy fats, fish
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Whole30 or other elimination diet
BASIC SUPPLEMENTS
* Herbs- Turmeric (Curcumin), Holy Basil, Ginger, Green Tea, Boswellin, Bromelain, Baikal Skullcap, Resveratrol, & Berberine (D-Flame is a synergistic blend of these herbs)
* Fish oil (EPA/DHA) 1,000-2,000 mg/d
* If low- Vitamin D 2-4,000 IU/d
In Addition -For associated conditions
Probiotic – digestion
Proteolytic enzymes - acute injury CoQ10
Calcium/mag/vita D - osteoporosis
Joint Xtra (GS, UC-II) - arthritis-joint pain
Pro-Omega CRP
ON-LINE LINKS
google- Mark Hyman inflammation
danielplan.com/blogs/dp/7-steps-to-living-an-anti-inflammatory-life/
or Google- Anti-inflammatory lifestyle Hyman 7 keys
Summary-
Daily health habits are the key to managing chronic inflammation and preventing degenerative disease.
Exercise, stress management, and getting 8 hours of deep sleep are important habits in managing chronic systemic inflammation.
One common small but powerful step- quit all sugar, junk food and processed carbs.
The Mediterranean diet, emphasizing vegetables, fruits, healthy fats, and fish, is another well- researched approach to accomplish a long and healthy life.