Inflammation is a process where your body’s white blood cells and chemicals protect us from harmful bacteria and chemicals. When inflammation occurs, the body’s white blood cells are released into the affected tissue to rid the body of these foreign substances. The release of this chemical may result in warmth and redness. Some of the
chemicals even cause leakage of fluid into the tissues, resulting in swelling which then may cause nerves to stimulate and cause pain. Now a days, there are a number of anti inflammatory drugs that you can find in the market that promise to
ease this pain and calm allergic reactions. Though these anti inflammatory medications may provide quick, temporary relief; long term use can actually weaken the immune system.
These anti inflammatory medications are rarely needed due to the anti inflammatory foods that nature has provided us with. Not only do these anti inflammatory foods offer more benefits than anti inflammatory medications, but they are also great tasting, reduce inflammation, and supply us with loads of vitamins and minerals to boost our immune health! The following article from NaturalAntiIflamatory.org provides 63 anti inflammatory foods that are good for you as well as provide natural healing for your body!
Anti Inflammatory Foods – List of 63 Foods to Choose from for Natural Healing
If you are looking for a real long and healthy life, natural anti inflammatory foods are the key. In this article you will find a list of anti inflammatory foods to choose from to achieve that and help you fight against autoimmune and chronic inflammatory disorders.Basic Mechanism
The word inflammation is derived from a Latin word ‘inflammare’ that means ‘on fire’. It is a set of biological processes involving the natural reaction of our body to harmful stimuli, i.e. injuries, infections etc.
Some degree of exposure to these stimuli is inevitable in our daily lives, and our body’s natural defense can fight those harmful elements to some extent on its own.Inflammation can be acute (short term) or chronic (long term). Acute inflammation is the body’s first aggressive reaction to extrinsic damage from which the body recovers in hours to days, for example insect bite, abrasions, hives etc.
But chronic inflammation happens when the body’s defenses are continuously exposed to harmful stimuli, which renders the body and its defenses weak. Examples of chronic inflammation include tuberculosis, cancer, arthritis, dermatitis, inflammatory bowel diseases.
Sometimes the body’s defense starts working against its own tissues, which leads to a number of diseases widely known as ‘auto immune diseases’. Also it is postulated that inflammation is involved in the ultimate process of aging as well. One wonders if somehow you could conquer aging, what a miracle would that be.
Nature has given us with some wonderful anti inflammatory foods in nature and can be used to defy age, also to help fight against autoimmune and chronic inflammatory disorders.
Natural Anti Inflammatory Foods List
Following are the anti inflammatory foods groups with their properties:
Fruits
- Papaya (rich in vitamin C and E and papain, an enzyme that digests proteins)
- Pineapple (contains an enzyme Bromelain with excellent healing properties)
- Blueberries (rich in phyto nutrients) Goji berries
- Cherries Cranberries
- Apples Oranges
- Kiwifruit Rhubarb
- Lemon Limes
- Avocados Guavas
- Strawberries Mulberries
- Raspberries
These are the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory power sources effective against a number of diseases like acute traumas, injuries, arthritis, cancer, indigestion, acid peptic disease, dementia and many other chronic inflammatory conditions. Examples are:
Vegetables
This anti inflammatory foods group is another major ally to the anti-inflammatory warfare. Examples include:
- Cruciferous vegetables (rich in phyto nutrients i.e. sulphoraphanes which has anti cancer properties)
- Spinach (source of carotenes, flavonoids, vitamins, potassium, magnesium, tryptophan, calcium, iron and folate)
- Ginger Sweet potatoes (contains fiber, vitamin C and B6, beta carotenoids, manganese and carbohydrates)
- Salads Chards
- Green beans Bell peppers
- Kale Bok Choy
- Olives Fennel bulb
- Spring onions Mushrooms
- Leeks
Fish
Various kinds of cold-water fish like:
- Cod Tuna
- Herring Trout
- Salmon Striped Bass
- Halibut Whitefish
- Sardines Snapper Fish
- Oysters
are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids. These include most importantly eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid.
There are numerous benefits of omega-3 include a healthier heart by reducing the chances of heart diseases, preventing and fighting cancer, helping against autoimmune diseases and psychological ailments. All of these benefits result from its excellent anti oxidant and anti inflammatory properties.
Oils
Olive oil contains an abundant supply of polyphenols and monounsaturated fats, which reduce inflammation in cardiovascular system including heart and blood vessels, which in turn reduces the risk of atherosclerosis and all the resulting complications. It also helps fight against Rheumatoid arthritis and allergic asthma by the same mechanism.
Avocado oil is another, very effective anti-inflammatory agent, which is similar in composition and properties to the Olive oil.
Drinks
Green tea is rich in flavonoids, which are a very potent agent in decreasing the incidence of heart diseases and effective against malignancies too.
However, you shouldn’t forget about water, as this is known as the simplest, cheapest and widely available drink. It has been shown in many studies that water accelerates the body’s metabolism and speeds up the removal of harmful by products of metabolism.
Spices and Herbs
- Cinnamon Rosemary
- Basil Turmeric
- Cloves Thyme
- Mint Chili pepper
- Parsley Cocoa
- Oregano Licorice
Seeds and Nuts
- Walnuts Linseed
- Hazelnuts Sunflower seeds
- Almond
As they say, we are what we eat, so watch what you eat. There is no better choice, than the natural anti inflammatory foods, to ensure a happy healthy disease frees long life.
Eating anti inflammatory foods are one way to help fight inflammation while other treatments may include rest and exercise, maintaining joint movement and muscle strength through physical therapy, and possibly surgery; the worse inflammation gets, the more serious the treatment. Healthy eating, exercise, and rest are a key element to everyone’s lifestyle, but eating anti inflammatory foods will decrease your chances of inflammation and increase your chances of a long and healthy life.
