Arthritis, tendinitis, bursitis, periodontitis, prostatitis,
allergies, inflammatory bowel disease most of us are afflicted by
inflammation at one time or another, some of us on a daily basis.
We may feel that we're out of options when medications aren't the
answer, but nothing could be further from the truth.
Julie Daniluk, a registered holistic nutritionist, author of
"Meals That Heal Inflammation: A Practical Guide" and host of
television's "The Healthy Gourmet," is convinced that diet can
impact inflammation.
"Food becomes the building blocks of your body, so you can
provide powerful healing or create inflammation depending on your
choices," Daniluk explains.
Overlooked food sensitivities may worsen an inflammatory
condition. The process of elimination can help identify problematic
foods. Daniluk's program, outlined in her book, "takes people
through a 10-week program to help them discover which foods may be
causing pain and replaces them with healing, tasty meal options."
Which inflammatory conditions respond best to dietary changes?
"All inflammatory conditions will improve," Daniluk says, "but
the most marked changes are with digestive disorders such as IBS
(Irritable Bowel Syndrome), skin disorders such as eczema, and
joint conditions such as gout and arthritis."
Daniluk says there are plenty of effective anti-inflammatory
foods that can help most people manage their health naturally.
Cold-water fish like salmon, anchovies, mackerel and sardines are
an excellent source of eicosapentaenoic acids (EPA) and
docosahexaenoic acids (DHA), the two potent omega-3 fatty acids
that can dramatically reduce inflammation.
The spice turmeric contains the powerful, nontoxic compound
curcumin. Studies have found that turmeric's anti-inflammatory
effects are as effective as potent drugs, such as hydrocortisone,
but without any side effects. Ginger is also prized around the
world for its anti-inflammatory benefits.
Papaya possesses powerful enzymes that reduce inflammation. It
contains papain, a protein-digesting enzyme. Together with other
nutrients, which include vitamins C and E, papain helps to reduce
inflammation while improving digestion. Worthy of mention,
pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme that reduces swelling and
can be used to treat indigestion, sports injury, trauma and
arthritis.
Berries are antioxidant powerhouses that provide anti-
inflammatory protection against many diseases such as cancer and
dementia. Feast on organic blackberries, blueberries, cranberries,
currants, raspberries and mulberries.
Just as diet can help reduce inflammation, eating the wrong foods
can worsen the pain and swelling of inflammation. Avoiding the
following foods can help avoid unnecessary inflammation, Daniluk
says.
Fatty meats and high-fat cheeses, such as ribs, bacon, lamb,
duck, goose, sausages, hamburger, hot dogs, cheddar, brie and cream
cheese contain saturated fats and are loaded with arachidonic acid,
a powerful inflammatory agent when consumed in excess.
Avoid most cooking and salad dressing oils, shortening and
refined baked goods, including all vegetable shortening,
margarines, and corn, safflower, peanut and other vegetable cooking
and salad oils. These products almost always contain rancid oils
and may contain trans fatty acids.
Avoid fried foods. Heating oil at high temperatures creates
toxins that are destructive to health. Instead, bake, boil or steam
food and add oil as a dressing after cooking.
Nightshade vegetables -- tomatoes, white potatoes, red and green
bell peppers, "hot" peppers like chili and paprika, and eggplant --
can worsen arthritis pain. Nightshades contain high levels of
alkaloids such as solanine, which cause the bones to excrete
calcium and trace elements from the body.
"There are 6 billion diets for 6 billion people on the planet.
Everyone is such an individual that we have to discover what works
in each person," Daniluk explains. "The Meals That Heal
Inflammation Program helps people discover their own plan that can
change over time as they improve their health and their taste buds
begin to enjoy natural flavors."
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