Monthly Fitness Column
Do You Know What Types of Food Will Help With Inflammation?
Cut down on or avoid altogether processed foods, refined grains, sugar and gluten. All of these contribute to increased inflammation. Instead you should include more garlic, ginger and turmeric in your diet. Fruits like berries, pomegranates and acai berries are all antioxidants. These will fight the free radicals in your body and reduce inflammation.
Leafy greens like spinach and kale are also good sources. Fish is recommended by many doctors and nutrition experts. Fish has high levels of DHA and EPA, the two fatty acids responsible for rebuilding your brain and keeping your mood positive. Turns out, they also play a key role in lowering inflammation.
The reasons for reducing inflammation are many. Chronic inflammation is an epidemic and is linked to diseases ranging from Alzheimer's to heart conditions. A 2004 Time magazine report called inflammation "The Silent Killer".
And omega 3 fatty acids reduce inflammation. Nutritionists agree most Westerners are severely deficient in these fatty acids because we eat too much convenience food and not enough "whole", fresh foods. This deficient can take its toll on your health. In fact, a Harvard University conducted a study that linked omega 3 deficiencies with between 63,000-97,000 American deaths a year. These were preventable, early deaths according to this study.
And because of the proven anti inflammatory benefits of omega 3's, the American Heart Association recommends heart patients eat at least 2-3 servings a week of fish. They've also recommended fish oil supplements to ensure heart patients get the necessary fatty acids they need.
Fish oil supplements are proven to protect against heart attacks. They keep the arteries clear of plaque and prevent blood clots. (Like aspirin, fish oil is a blood thinner). But they've also been proven to regulate the heart rhythms too. This prevents irregular heartbeats that can cause a sudden heart attack.
Basically, it comes down to simple, nutritional foods are the foods that will help with inflammation. If you're not eating enough of them start making changes. You don't have to do it all at once. Gradual changes to your diet can be easier to implement. A couple of extra salads with an olive oil dressing and some more fish are good places to start.
You can make the needed changes. Your life depends on it. If you're interested in learning more about how omega 3 fish oil supplements can rel=nofollow [http://www.omega3-reviews.com]help with inflammation, please visit my website, where I share what products I have personally been using daily for several years.
Copyright: Jen P. April, Posted on June 29, 2010.
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