When it comes to your diet, are you eating foods that are pro-inflammation or anti-inflammation?

Correcting a diet that's out of balance

The bottom line is that all refined, processed foods are having an adverse effect on your health.

1. They displace many important nutrients, including anti-inflammatory vitamins, minerals, proteins, and omega-3 fatty acids
2. Many grains interfere with normal nutrient absorption
3. Highly refined sugars and carbohydrates draw valuable vitamins and minerals from your body's reserves to aid the metabolic processes that normally burn these foods for energy
4. The sheer quantity of calories and carbohydrates in refined sugars and carbohydrates promote obesity
5. The fat cells generate large amounts of interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein, two of the most powerful pro-inflammatory compounds made by your body

The end result is a diet that is high in pro-inflammatory fats, devoid of anti-inflammatory fats, and nearly empty of anti-inflammatory anti-oxidants.

Anti-Inflammatory Fats

There are three specific types of fats, as well as antioxidant nutrients, that help control inflammation: the omega-3 family of fatty acids, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), and the omega-9 family of fatty acids.

Omega-3s supply the building blocks of a variety of powerful anti-inflammatory substances. They encourage your body's production of inflammation-suppressing compounds, and remind your body to turn off inflammatory reactions when they are no longer needed.

GLA is technically an omega-6 fatty acid, but it behaves more like an anti-inflammatory omega-3. Your body converts GLA to the anti-inflammatory prostaglandin E-1, which enhances the inflammation-suppressing effect of omega-3s.

Omega-9s work with omega-3s as anti-inflammatory compounds.They are found in olive oil, avocados, macadamia nuts and oil.

Your Nutrition Plan for Radiant Health

Consume a variety of minimally processed whole foods that include:

• Cold water fish
• Meat and organs from free-range or grass-fed animals
• High fiber, nonstarchy vegetables and fruits, including dark green leafy vegetables and flaxseed
• Spices and herbs to flavor foods
• Healthy fats and oils
• Pure water
• Raw, sprouted nuts and seeds

Avoid:

• Foods you are allergic or sensitive to
• Conventional cooking oils (canola, corn, soy, safflower- all rich in pro-inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids)
• Sugar and sugary foods
• Refined grains
• Pasteurized dairy products
• Cooking foods at high temperatures- AGEs (Advanced Glycation End products) are created when sugars bind with proteins during cooking

Prevent/heal inflammation by eliminating foods that set the stage for inflammation, one of the major causes of diseases such as heart disease, arthritis and diabetes!

Sources: The Inflammation Syndrome by Jack Challem