Inflammation is at the root of almost every chronic health condition. The list of symptoms of systemic inflammation is a lengthy one including joint and body pain, weight gain, brain fog, anxiety and depression, digestive problems, migraines, skin issues and persistent fatigue to name a few of the more common ones. Inflammation is at the root of almost every autoimmune disease as well.
We can heal inflammation naturally using food as medicine and integrative medicine practices such as meditation and exercise. Understanding how the immune system works, the root cause and how inflammation is doing what it should and when it is should not is of great importance. Knowing what foods to avoid, and how to create a diet plan that works right for you to reduce inflammation in the body is essential and reversing chronic inflammation.
Here are some recommendation:
- Eat a diet composed of 75 percent raw foods, and drink plenty herbal teas and juices
- Eat foods which are high in flavonoids, which are powerful antioxidants, useful for inflammation reduction, like spinach, blueberries, fresh pineapples and fresh papaya which contains bromelain and papain respectively, which reduces swelling and inflammation
- Limit your intake of salt
- Eat cold-water fish such as herring, mackerel, salmon and sardines
- Avoid cola, sugar, white flour products and junk food
N.B Always do your research and check in with your doctor or medical provider before embarking on any diet, especially if you have prevailing health issues.