The Anti-Inflammation Diet

The Anti-Inflammation diet is designed to improve people’s health. It is a lifestyle change that is extremely rewarding. Many foods cause unnecessary micro-damage resulting in long-term inflammation, otherwise referred to as “chronic inflammation.” At first, this inflammation goes un-noticed for a long time. Later,  symptoms begin to surface such as sore and inflamed joints, arthritis symptoms, elevated cholesterol, chronic sinusitis, chronic urinary tract infections, vaginitis, allergies, and other chronic issues. Inflammation is a response from our immune system in an attempt to heal the inner environment and protect our body from the many insults it comes in contact with. Insults to our system are many including improper food choices, processed foods, chemicals, and additives to elevated stress hormones due to our lifestyles and environmental toxicity from various sources.

(Scroll down for easy to use AI Diet chart)

According to the most recent report from the Center for Disease Control in the United States, there are a few illnesses responsible for a significant number of fatalities across America. Here is the list of the top 10 fatal illnesses in the United States listed in order of prevalence; heart disease being the top fatal illness.

Top 10 Health Threats in the United States

Heart Disease

Cancer

COPD (emphysema, chronic bronchitis)

Stroke (cerebrovascular diseases)

Accidents (unintentional injuries)

Alzheimer’s disease

Diabetes

Influenza and Pneumonia

Kidney disease (nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, nephrosis)

Intentional self-harm (suicide)

It is not difficult to see that most of the top health threats are related to inflammation. Only accidents and intentional self-harm do not fall into the category of inflammatory illnesses. We all have a high likelihood of developing one of these health problems, each of which can lead to death. Of course, death is inevitable, but it’s how we live until that moment that is important to me. We needn’t live our lives resigned to the prospect of growing sicker and more disabled as we age. In a perfect world, one would be at one’s healthiest for the longest time possible, then become ill and quickly perish without much suffering. It is my hope that individuals who care for themselves and their bodies attain this goal. It is not too late to take accountability for your habits and change them to enhance your future. You can also inspire your friends and associates to adopt healthier lifestyles by setting an example, and you can certainly influence your children’s lifelong habits by introducing good practices into your home starting today.

I was shocked to see that the tenth leading health threat was suicide/attempted suicide.  Just a few years prior, this same report listed the 10^th health threat as septicemia instead of suicide. That means that suicide has increased in the ranks. Why is suicide more of a problem today than it was years ago? Or is it that we are better at catching blood infections and treating them quicker? Whatever the case, it certainly means that our mental and emotional health is important in our risk for future health problems. We now can consider suicide a health problem. People who feel well and are living healthfully most likely are not going to commit suicide. It’s important to address your mental and emotional well-being as part of a holistic approach to health. Suicide is often preceded by depression, anxiety, or bipolar tendencies. If you feel your emotions are out of control, please seek help to obtain the balance you need.

Inflammation is at the root of most health problems. Inflammation creeps up on you slowly without your knowledge. The sooner you can begin an anti-inflammatory diet and the sooner you can change your lifestyle habits to include exercise, the faster you can begin preventing chronic disease.

Below is listed a guide to the anti-inflammatory diet. Refer to the recipe section for more ideas on recipes. I have used this diet with thousands of patients for over a decade with extreme success. Most people lose weight, feel great, have less pain, and improve their lab values for cholesterol and inflammatory markers. The anti-inflammation diet reduces risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease.