We’ve all heard the phrase, “you are what you eat.” Unfortunately, this statement is more accurate than most realize. The human body’s biochemicals are composed of the foods that we ingest. Subtle biochemical injuries (dietary trauma) occur throughout our body when we eat a diet that is deficient in fruits and vegetables, and contains the refined sugar and “vegetable” oils (soybean, corn, sunflower, safflower, peanut, and cottonseed oils) found in nearly all packaged food and fried foods. The inflammation associated with a poor nutrition may initially cause non-specific symptoms (malaise, fatigue, headache, intestinal discomfort). It is very subtle. Yet, over time, this diet-driven inflammation leads to the common, chronic diseases that plague our society. (Checkout the wikipedia list of degenerative disease).
Major pro-inflammatory foods to avoid:
- All grains and grain products (bread, pasta, cereal, pretzels, packaged snacks)
- Corn/safflower/sunflower/cottonseed/soybean oil found in dressings and packaged foods
- Sugar, candies, and sweets
- Soda, juices, and sugary coffee drinks
Courtesy of deflame.com
Every time you eat pro-inflammatory foods, you create inflammation in your body that will slowly but surely lead to the expression of chronic pain, diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, or whatever degenerative disease to which you may be genetically predisposed.
The good news is that we can decrease inflammation and feel better by enjoying anti-inflammatory foods. Eating both vegetation and lean meats promotes an anti-inflammatory body state. The benefits include better mood, slower aging, better healing, and less pain.
Major anti-inflammatory foods to enjoy:
- Any and all vegetation (vegetables and fruits.)
- Fresh fish
- Lean cuts of meat, chicken, eggs from grass-fed animals or lean cuts of regular meats
- Wild game
- Nuts: raw almonds, cashews, walnuts, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts
- Spices like ginger, turmeric, garlic, dill, oregano, coriander, fennel, red chili pepper, basil, rosemary
- Organic extra virgin olive oil and coconut oil
- Drink water or organic green tea
Courtesy of deflame.com
Nutritional supplements to fight inflammation:
Nutritional supplements cannot take the place of healthy eating. Nobody can “out supplement” the trauma of inflammatory foods. Research increasingly promotes supplements for preventing disease. Inflammation reduction is a likely mechanism of action for many supplements. While precise supplements and exact amounts vary with individual need, here is a general approach for inflammation reduction. Certainly talk to your doctor of chiropractic to optimize the dose and formulation for your specific needs.
If you want to take:
- 1 supplement, it should be EPA/DHA 720
- 2 supplements, add D3 5000+K
- 3 supplements, add Mag Glycinate
- 4 supplements, add PhytoMulti
- 5 supplements, add SPM Active®
Quite simply, all you need to do is eat meat and vegetables, nuts and seeds, and some fruit. Eat until you begin to feel full, and then stop. Take key supplements and exercise 5 times per week for at least 30 minutes.
If you want to dig deeper into the topic, this video explains how unhealthy foods make us sick, and healthy foods support our health.