The best way to combat inflammation is to have a whole food diet rich in plant foods
As an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Personal Trainer, and Health Care Professional, I fully believe this:
Nutrition is Medicine!
It is believed that the root cause of most disease processes is chronic inflammation. This includes things like: Arthritis, heart disease, obesity, skin aging, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, cancer, irritable bowl syndrome. Also, inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, among many other chronic health concerns!
This is only the shortlist. If it’s a disease process, chronic inflammation is most likely contributing!
The Good News!
We have most of the control. The food we put in our bodies coupled with minimizing toxins in our environment significantly reduces inflammation!
It’s ultimately all about what we eat!
Chronic inflammation also all stems from our gut health (microbiome).
Fun fact: 60% or more of our immune system is in our gut. When our gut is populated with healthy bacteria that come from our food, our immune system is happy.
When our immune system is happy, chronic inflammation is decreased, and disease processes are shut down, and can even be reversed with the help of a functional medicine practitioner.
How do we combat inflammation?
- Eat a whole food diet rich in plant foods: vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and legumes.
- Minimize or eliminate processed meats, and dairy.
- No brainer here…avoid processed foods, sugar, and trans fats found in fast foods!
- Research ways to reduce toxic chemicals in your life. Cosmetics and personal hygiene items are big contributors. But there are safer options out there.
What Specific Foods Can We Eat To Reduce Inflammation?
Turmeric, Avocados, Leafy Greens, Tart Cherries, Flax Seeds, Nuts, Mushrooms, Berries, Cruciferous Vegetables (broccoli, kale, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, bok choy, and more), cinnamon, pineapple, miso. The list goes on and on! If it comes from nature…chances are it reduces inflammation.
So, I invite you to start taking control of your health and wellness! My mom and grandma were correct! We really are what we eat!
