An Anti-inflammatory Diet and Anti Aging Go Hand in Hand
Eat with your immune system in mind -- following an anti-inflammatory diet -- and you'll have a leg up on wrinkles, body fat and illness. Ignore it and inflammation can creep in, caused by an immune system response and resulting in a range of outcomes from discomfort to disease.
But let's back up... What is inflammation?
When we hear this word, most of us think of redness, heat, swelling and potentially...pain. Unpleasant stuff, to be sure. Inflammation results from the activation of our immune system due to the presence of an infection, irritant, or toxin.
It's our body's way of flagging an intruder, calling for back up and bringing it all to your immediate attention! Pretty smart, eh?
But before reaching for something to quell the fire, it's helpful to take a moment to consider the causes of this type of general, system-wide inflammation... the kind that can result in not just premature aging, but very serious conditions such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease, arthritis and heart disease, just to name a few.
Here's where an anti-inflammation diet can help. Below is a clip from well-known doctor and author Dr. Perricone that gives an informative and brief introduction to anti-inflammatory super foods:
Anti Inflammatory Diet Basics:
Choose high quality proteins like salmon, shrimp, chicken, turkey, and tofu.
Try other cold water fish such as halibut, sardines and anchovies.
Add healthy oils such as flax seed oil, olive oil, and coconut oil.
Snack on nuts and seeds like walnuts, almonds, brazil nuts, sunflower and pumpkin seeds.
Eat plenty of brightly colored fresh fruits and vegetables -- the more colorful the better! They contain various photochemicals like antioxidants (vitamins C, E, beta-carotene and various minerals), bioflavonoids (like quercitin, limonene, hesperidin), and the fiber needed for daily elimination of waste and support of a healthy balance of micro flora in the digestive tract. Try for at least 7 servings a day if you are a woman -- men should get 9. (A serving is between ½ - 1 cup.)
Go for whole grains and beans like steel cut oats, lentils, black beans, etc.
Drink plenty of pure, filtered water.
Try an antioxidant beverage such as matcha green tea, served hot or cold.
While it's helpful to know what to eat, it's oftentimes just as helpful to know what NOT to eat! Here's a link to a list of inflammatory foods ... the things you'll want to watch out for or cut out altogether.
