Inflammation and food
Inflammation and food. When suffering from chronic pain and health conditions, there are certain food that should be avoided. Inflammation is a body’s natural response to illness, infection, or injury.
Foods to be avoided are those thought of as “junk food,” or processed foods. Examples are:
First the healing foods :
- Cherries- sweet and tart; lowers C-reactive proteins. May even provide pain relief
- Salmon- suppress inflammation while boosting more anti- inflammatory foods
- Broccoli- or cruciferous vegetables eg brussel sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, mustard greens
- Shiitake and enoki mushrooms- can lower inflammatory markers.
- Extra virgin olive oil; ground flaxseed and canola oil
- Avocado
- Turmeric- the powerful curcumin found in turmeric (check the label)
- Tomatoes- suppress inflammation, lowers cancer and heart disease risks
- Spinach- full of antioxidants, boost the immune system, and suppresses inflammation
- Strawberries- contain antioxidants and destroys free radicals that promote inflammation
Foods to avoid
- Sugar and artificial sweeteners
- Preserved cured and red meats (deli meat, bacon, hotdogs)
- MSG- can cause headaches, weakness, widespread pain
- Processed food- preservatives and dyes cause inflammation while stripping away needed nutrients
- Dairy- can irritate stomach and joint tissues because they contain saturated fats, antibiotics, and growth hormones
