Putting it simply, inflammation is your body’s response to alien matter and toxins that enters it and the liver is unable to filter out. When you sprain an ankle, your body warms up the injury and becomes inflamed in order to repair the injury. This is what happens with inflammation internally – it’s your body’s response to fixing itself when it is attacked by certain “food” intake. It doesn’t happen overnight thought. It takes a while and the first warning sign of it is cancer, or high blood pressure, or a stroke etc. It’s a serious health condition that underlies almost every, if not all, chronic disease. Inflammation lowers testosterone, yet higher levels of testosterone help to lower inflammation. Go figure. Anything that messes with your body and hormones is going to have a negative impact on testosterone. And your mojo!
Normally what happens is that you find out too late that you have inflammation, and your doctor puts you on a medication to fight off the symptoms and death. We live in a very screwed up society, where drugs are pushed and most people accept them as the only option. This is not the case – we can completely naturally reverse inflammation and avoid it by making a few lifestyle changes (like moving and strengthening your body) and sticking to a wholly nutritious – yet tasty – diet. The simplest diet to reverse inflammation is actually a plant-based diet and/or a paleo diet. If you haven’t read it, my book, The Vitality Secret, teaches you how to reverse inflammation – the root of everything.
A paleo diet means avoiding about 80% of what you find in supermarkets (most ingredients found in processed foods contain some kind of toxin – whether it’s a preservative, or artificial flavouring, or added sugars, or trans fats etc). Sticking to organic plant based foods (vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, grasses) and meat and fish and avoiding grains and dairy, is paleo. It’s eating as nature intended. I’m actually a meat eater, but I’m reducing my meat intake (much to my surprise) as I realise that we can actually get a lot of our protein from plant-based foods – such as quinoa, hemp protein, pea protein, spinach, broccoli, all the greens. Here are some other foods to fight inflammation:
Foods to Fight Inflammation
You might think that cancer, heart disease, arthritis, and Alzheimer’s Disease don’t have much in common, but it turns out they are all associated with inflammation. Inflammation is a normal part of the body’s immune response. But if it becomes chronic, it can lead to pain and disease. The good news is that there are certain foods that may help fight this immune response when it spins out of control. Here are six that you can easily add to your diet:
Sweet Cherries
Beginning in early June and stretching into the early days of August you’ll find one of nature’s best seasonal fruits — fresh sweet cherries — which also happen to be a powerful inflammation fighter. In fact, a recent study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that eating sweet Bing cherries can significantly decrease markers of inflammation in the body (like C-reactive protein) and help to prevent chronic inflammatory diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, arthritis, and certain cancers. And once summer’s over, you can still enjoy the taste and health benefits of this super fruit. Fresh cherries are easy to freeze (simply rinse, pack and freeze) so you can savor them all winter long.
Legumes
Lentils, chickpeas, peas and beans are protein- and fiber-rich and research conducted at Penn State University reported that adding 1 ½ cups of legumes per day (to a calorie-controlled, low Glycemic Index diet) helped reduce inflammatory markers and improved insulin resistance. Another bonus? They’re inexpensive. Use versatile legumes in dips, salads, main dishes or soups, like this Lentil Soup.
Mango
Mangos are not just nutrient-packed and bursting with color and flavor, research indicates that this tropical fruit may also be a powerful inflammation fighter. One study conducted in 2013 found that compounds in mangos called polyphenols might inhibit the inflammatory response in both cancerous and non-cancerous breast cells. In addition to their potential anti-inflammatory benefits, mangos are a source of over 20 vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B6, folate, and potassium. For a flavorful boost to your next meal, try this Tropical Mango Salsa.
Turmeric
This golden-hued spice has long been a staple of Indian cuisine and also has been used in Traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. Modern-day science is revealing that a compound found in turmeric called curcumin may be the source of its medicinal effects as well as a potent anti-inflammatory agent. Due to its potential inflammation-fighting benefits, scientists are now exploring its use in diseases ranging from rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis to neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s disease. Add tumeric to your next curry or use on chicken or fish before grilling.
Ginger
Ginger has been used to help nausea and pain for centuries. Now modern research is uncovering its potential to temper inflammation. One study compared the effects of ginger extract to placebo in patients with osteoarthritis. The ginger helped reduce pain and stiffness in joints by 40 percent over the placebo. Ongoing research is also investigating the role of ginger to help reduce neuronal inflammation and related declines in memory and cognition. Enjoy ginger in this light and healthy Ginger Shrimp and Broccoli dish.
Leafy greens
Diets rich in leafy greens are associated with lower rates of certain cancers, heart disease, and other inflammation-related diseases because leafy greens provide anti-inflammatory benefits. Kale, spinach, watercress, collard greens and broccoli are also some of the most nutrient-rich foods you can eat. .Aim for at least 2-3 cups of greens each day and add them to omelets, smoothies, stirfrys, and salads. For a perfect sweet and savory side, try this Kale and Orange Salad.
Here’s the trailer for Forks Over Knives. Watch this – it’s pretty damn good!
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