EHL: The Essentials of Healthy Living^SM

Inflammation/Pain Reducing Foods

If you are experiencing any type of pain, your body is alerting you that there is inflammation present. Inflammation may still be present even without pain (e.g. cancer, heart disease). Poor food choices can increase any inflammation present. Limit processed foods, white sugar, white flour, trans-fats, and red meat each of which can aggravate or increase inflammation. Increase your servings of anti-inflammatory foods such as colorful fruits and vegetables, spices, and dark chocolate, which all contain powerful flavonoids that have antioxidant properties.

	5 Anti-inflammatory Superfoods & Spices Blueberry: Supports eye health, brain health, and vascular health. Ranked one of the best in terms of antioxidant activity. Tumeric: Contains curcumin, a powerful antioxidant that has potent anti-inflammatory &anp; detoxification capabilities. Ginger: Contains anti-inflammatory chemicals (gingerols), which fight free radicals & pro-inflammatory chemicals. Cold water fish: Omega-3 essential fatty acids (EPA/DHA) have strong anti-inflammatory & heart-protective activity. Dark chocolate: Contains a high level of flavonoids, responsible for relaxing blood vessels & balancing inflammatory chemicals.

An injury or an infection causes the body to respond with pain, heat, and swelling. This reaction is a protective response from a healthy immune system and initiates healing. Inflammation can become systemic or chronic if not completely resolved by the immune system. Chronic inflammation is neither protective nor beneficial to the body. In fact, it can be very damaging to your health. Factors that may cause systemic inflammation include stress, food allergies, mild or severe obesity, exposure to chemicals, or eating a diet high in refined sugars and processed foods. Chronic inflammation is believed to be the culprit behind many degenerative diseases including heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and cancer. Ask your doctor about an important diagnostic test that measures your inflammatory level (C-Reactive Protein).

Allergic reactions to common foods such as dairy, wheat gluten, and nightshade plants (potatoes, peppers, eggplants, and tomatoes) can compromise health by creating a leaky gut. Damage to the gut lining from allergic reactions causes increased intestinal permeability, which can result in autoimmune-like disorders and further inflammation. If you experience symptoms such as continuous digestive discomfort, fatigue, skin irritation, or joint inflammation consider having a food allergy test done. This simple blood test measures your body’s immune response to food. The laboratory will provide you with a clear list of foods to avoid. You will find that you will feel much better once you remove these foods from your diet.

An enzyme deficiency can cause incomplete protein digestion and result in inflammation. Enzymes play a major role in the digestion and absorption of nutrients by ensuring the proper breakdown of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Raw foods, particularly sprouts, avocados, papayas, pineapples, bananas, and mangos provide a rich source of enzymes. Your body also produces enzymes, but not enough when stressed or aging. Some people simply lack enzymes, like those who do not produce lactase to digest lactose (milk sugar). Adding an enzyme complex can help to reduce inflammation as it ensures complete digestion of otherwise irritating proteins.

*The information in this reference document is not intended to be a substitute for advice or treatment from a qualified physician, nor is it intended to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. Consult your physician prior to starting any new health program or if you have any questions regarding a medical condition.