Introduction
Inflammation is a natural response of the body to protect itself from injury or infection. However, when inflammation becomes chronic, it can lead to a variety of health issues, including heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce inflammation naturally. According to science, the number one way to reduce inflammation is to make dietary changes. Eating certain foods can help reduce inflammation, while avoiding others can help keep it under control. In this article, we’ll discuss the #1 way to reduce inflammation, according to science: Eat This Not That. We’ll look at which foods to eat and which to avoid in order to reduce inflammation and improve your overall health.
The #1 Way to Reduce Inflammation, Says Science — Eat This Not That
Inflammation is a natural response of the body to protect itself from harm, but when it becomes chronic, it can lead to a variety of health issues. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce inflammation and improve your overall health. According to science, the number one way to reduce inflammation is to make sure you are eating the right foods.
Eating a diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods can help reduce inflammation and improve your overall health. Foods that are high in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and fiber are all great choices. Foods like salmon, walnuts, blueberries, and spinach are all excellent sources of these nutrients and can help reduce inflammation.
On the other hand, there are certain foods that can actually increase inflammation. Foods that are high in sugar, trans fats, and processed foods should be avoided. These foods can increase inflammation and can lead to a variety of health issues. Instead, focus on eating whole, unprocessed foods that are high in nutrients.
By making sure you are eating the right foods, you can reduce inflammation and improve your overall health. Eating a diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods and avoiding foods that can increase inflammation can help you stay healthy and reduce your risk of chronic inflammation.
Inflammation is like a trip to the dentist—sometimes painful, but occasionally necessary for good health. But if you had to spend every day in the dentist’s chair, you’d start to break down. So it is with our body and inflammation, a natural function of the immune system that, if it becomes chronic, can have deadly consequences. But there’s one surefire way to reduce inflammation, experts say. Read on to find out more—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
Basically, inflammation is the body’s natural reaction to injury or infection. For example: When you cut your finger, the area swells as the immune system sends white blood cells to the area; they release protective substances so healing can begin. Once that’s complete, the inflammation subsides. But some lifestyle choices cause inflammation within the body that doesn’t go away. And that can lead to serious health problems.
Over time, chronic inflammation can cause widespread bodily damage. According to Harvard Medical School, it’s believed that chronic inflammation can lead to:
- Heart disease
- Cancer
- Arthritis
- Depression
- Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
“Over time, chronic inflammation can trigger your immune system to attack healthy tissue and organs in your body. When left untreated, prolonged chronic inflammation can increase your risk for diseases like diabetes, heart disease, cancer and rheumatoid arthritis,” reports El Camino Health.
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- Obesity. Excess body fat seems to release substances throughout the body that cause inflammation.
- Diet. Eating foods that contain added sugar, refined grains, saturated fat, trans fats, and omega-6 fatty acids can stoke inflammation.
- Smoking and Alcohol. Toxins in tobacco and alcohol can cause widespread inflammation throughout the body.
- Stress and Poor Sleep. Chronic stress seems to cause an inflammatory response in the body, which can damage the heart and immune system. People who have irregular sleep schedules are more likely to have inflammation than people with regular sleep patterns.
Experts say that a number of lifestyle changes can reduce inflammation, but one stands above the rest.
The most effective method of reducing inflammation is weight loss, wrote authors from the National Institutes of Health and the Mayo Clinic in a 2020 paper on chronic inflammation. “For example, in patients with psoriatic arthritis which is chronic inflammatory arthritis, weight loss alone has been shown to be independently associated with clinically significant improvement in disease activity and inflammation,” they said.
According to a 2018 review of studies, losing weight can reduce the amount of inflammation in your body, and reducing your daily calories has an anti-inflammatory effect, no matter what diet you follow.
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The best way to lose weight is to achieve a calorie deficit by eating a balanced diet and getting regular exercise. A good diet for weight loss—and reducing inflammation—will focus on fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, fiber, nuts and omega-3 fatty acids (which are found in fatty fish like salmon). It will avoid processed foods, added sugar, saturated and trans fats, and simple carbs (all of which can worsen inflammation). Ask your doctor about what eating plan is best for you. As for exercise, the American Heart Association and American Cancer Association recommend getting 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise (or a combination of the two), every week. Examples of moderate-intensity exercise include brisk walking, leisurely biking, dancing or gardening, while vigorous exercise includes running, swimming or fast cycling. And to get through this pandemic at your healthiest, don’t miss these 35 Places You’re Most Likely to Catch COVID.