Food can be a potent ally in the fight against inflammation or it can be
your worst enemy. You may have been surfing and landed on this Pinewood Natural
Health Centre because you have heard all about how avoiding certain foods and
eating others can help relieve chronic conditions whether it be such as muscle
and joint pain, bowel problems and fatigue.
Avoid High Glycemic Starches
Foods that cause inflammation and therefore chronic pain tend to be
those that contain a lot of high glycemic starches. Examples of these starchy
foods mashed potatoes, puddings, pasta, white bread and cakes. Processed and refined sugars, flours and
even some foods that you think are healthy like yams and beets can cause a
chronic condition to persist.
High glycemic foods have the ability to destabilize your insulin and
raise your blood sugar. The high level of insulin racing through your
bloodstream as the result of eating these comfort foods can also raise levels
of cortisol (the stress hormone), which puts your body in a state of physical alarm.
If this happens daily your body can soon become chronically inflamed.
Anti-Inflammatory Foods
Foods that are ideal to eat because they do the triple duty of cleansing
your system, blocking starches and sugars and healing your tissues are.
Apples: Apples are a versatile
source of calcium D-glucerate that assists with is liver detoxification and estrogen balance
as well as helps the body utilize the glucose properly.
Asparagus: These delicious spears are a rich source of
glutathione that helps ward off inflammation and invading pathogens as well as
keeps your waist trim by boosting your thyroid
Blueberries and Blackberries: Dark colored berries can satisfy a
craving for sweets and are high in superoxide dismutase, which can help reduce
oxidative stress in the body and reduce inflammation.
Flax seeds: Flax is high in alpha linoleic acid, which is a type
of helpful Omega 3 fat. They also contain immune modulators that help prevent
inflammatory reactions.
Fish: Fish is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids that help increase
metabolism and reduce inflammation in the body. Shellfish however can cause
inflammation in the body for some people.
Ginger Root: Ginger is a warming food that is high in
arachadonic acid, which reduces pain and inflammation and helps boost your
metabolic rate.
Turmeric: Turmeric is found in most curries and contains
archadonic acid that can help reduce inflammation and kick your metabolism into
high gear.
Not Sure Where to Start? Do These 3 Things!
You can help prevent inflammation by doing these three things:
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can irritate
stomach walls and cause inflammation
- Stay away from refined sugars such as the type
you find in candies, sodas, cookies and white bread
- Avoid allergenic foods such as wheat or soy that
cause experience inflammation in the gut
Be aware that inflammation of any kind can slow down your metabolism but
the worst cases of chronic inflammation are usually caused by the foods we eat.
Before you blame the weather or age, make sure you have not eaten a food that
provokes a reaction in your system.
For more information or to book a consultation about
anti-aging, diet and weight loss programs or any health issue you may be
experiencing, visit the Pinewood Natural Health Clinic website that has a list
of full services and products at www.pinewood.ca or call our Toronto Office
at (416)-656- 8100. We also have an office in Pickering,
Ontario at (905)-427-0057. You can also email us at info@pinewoodhealth.ca and we would be happy to answer any question that you have
about our holistic health services.
