Stopping Disease Dead In Its Tracks
Did you know inflammation is a chronic symptom that leads to multiple diseases such as diabetes and heart disease?
Now, I’m not talking about the kind of inflammation that happens when you twist your ankle in your gorgeous new high heels on date night and experience pain and localized swelling. We NEED that kind of inflammation. That is your body’s way of healing itself.
What I AM talking about a silent (but deadly) current of inflammation that is lurking “below the surface.”
In order to lead the happiest, healthiest (and pain-free) life possible, it is vital to try to minimize inflammation in your body, especially if you are overweight, which can often cause elevated inflammation levels.
Now, there are two types of inflammation:
Acute Inflammation: This starts very fast and will usually go away after a few days.
IE: Soft tissue injuries such as a sprained ankle, having dental work done, or having a cut.Chronic Inflammation: This is long term inflammation. If it is not a result of an injury, then it is the result of an “invader” (aka: a pathogen) in the body. Inflammation is the result of a deeper issue and can trigger disease.
Stress, eating a poor diet, smoking, minor food allergies, obesity, having a sedentary lifestyle and more can contribute to having chronic inflammation.
Now that you know the difference between the two, take a look at the below list. Do you find yourself experiencing any of these symptoms?
Mood swings
Anxiety
Asthma
Bad breath
Gingivitis
Migraines
Headaches
IBS
Leaky Gut
Celiac
Stiff joints
Arthritis
Fatigue
If you answered YES, then sister, you need to give your body some extra TLC because it is probably dealing with chronic inflammation at some level.
So, how do you fight it? Hippocrates said it best when he said:
“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”
– Hippocrates
Now, there are three categories of food:
Pro-inflammatory
Neutral
Anti-inflammatory
The Pro-Inflammatory foods are:
Corn and soybean oils
Pasteurized dairy
Refined carbohydrates
Conventional meat
Sugars
Trans fats
What you WANT to chow down on are the Anti-inflammatory foods such as:
Vegetables (Goal: A minimum of 4 to 5 servings per day)
Beets
Carrots
Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and kale)
Dark, leafy greens (collard greens, kale, spinach)
Onions
Peas
Salad greens
Sea vegetables
Squashes
Fruits (Goal: 3 to 4 servings per day)
Apples
Blackberries
Blueberries
Cherries
Nectarines
Oranges
Pears
Pink and red grapefruit
Plums
Pomegranates
Strawberries
Beans and Legumes (Goal: 1 to 2 servings per day)
Ansazi beans
Adzuki beans
Black beans
Black-eyed peas
Chickpeas
Lentils
Healthy Fats (Goal: 4 to 7 servings per day)
Avocados
Extra virgin olive oil
Flaxseed
Hazelnut oil
Hemp seeds
High-oleic safflower or sunflower oils
Sesame oil
Walnut oil
Healthy Herbs and Spices
Unlimited amounts of basil, chili peppers, cinnamon, curry powder, garlic, ginger, rosemary, turmeric and thyme
Protein (Goal: 1 to 2 servings per week)
Organic eggs
Grass-fed meats
Organic poultry
Tea
2 to 4 cups of green, oolong or white tea per day
Healthy Sweets
Dark chocolate, fruit sorbet and unsweetened dried fruit.
Grains
Though there are many grains, such as buckwheat and barley, that are considered anti-inflammatory and are also high in antioxidants and other nutrients, it is not recommended that people consume large quantities of grains.
Grains still turn to sugar in the body faster and are generally less nutrient dense than foods like vegetables.
Supplements
Co-enzyme Q10, carotenoids, fish oil, selenium, vitamins C, D and E
Now before you freak out on me, remember to take things in BABY STEPS so that you don’t feel overwhelmed and give up. Begin incorporating one new anti-inflammatory food to your diet each week. Then, as you get used to things, try adding something else every few days. Don’t be afraid to try something different. You might be surprised at the wonderful new foods you come to love!
Next week, I will teach you about another fantastic tool that is scientifically proven to reduce chronic inflammation in the body naturally.
In the meantime, check out my latest plan to improve energy, optimize hormone levels and transform your physique with simple and sustainable strategies that work in REAL LIFE!
Remember, health radiates, and so can you!
Shine Bright,
Carolina