Inflammation and Food...

Is your diet causing you more harm than good?  That's the question I've been asking myself as of late.  I have many food allergies and I've never really talked about it in full detail because it seemed to be "one of those things" that people just didn't want to get into.  A why would they?  The list is so long that it would take me--well...how long have you got?  *insert laugh*

The fact is that low-grade chronic inflammation is thought to be one of the leading causes of disease, premature aging and illness.  If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, bacterial or viral infections, chronic candida, acid reflux, arthritis or chronic sinus and digestive problems--you probably also suffer from minor to major bouts of inflammation; and inflammation can cause long-term illnesses that exacerbate health problems you already have.

Well recently, a friend of mines told me about some problems she was having with inflammation and the question piqued my immediate interest.  It made me want to take stock of the things "in" and "not in" my diet; and I, more recently, have developed a deep desire to understand and address them.

While my diet at times can be simple, I notice that it's so much easier to manage during most of the month.  I have yogurt, fruit and sometimes bread in the morning (or eggs); vegetables or soup in the afternoon; and for dinner, I have meat or legumes with veggies on the side as a way to get some protein in for the day.  But at the end of the month, when the moon is changing (and my body's cycle is too), I crave things that are not the norm, totally bad for me and sometimes things I am allergic to.

I've learned to listen to my body and I know now that most of my allergies, especially to fruit, nuts and vegetables are reactions to toxic pesticides and foods that cause inflammation.  ...And those cravings I get, are actually my body telling me that it needs certain things.  Iron, fiber, and a host of vitamins that it's loosing every day my moon is active.  I know that many women experience this as a normal occurrence each month; but it is important that we listen, and maybe even try asking our bodies (in that ever present internal dialogue) what it needs.  I promise you it won't say french fries or cookies; though if you listen closely, it might say "vitamin A" or "vitamin C".  It may tell you that you need more water, or more rest!  It might even say "stop eating that; I'm allergic" or "that hurts me".

It is when you get these types of messages that you can use your "go-to foods" to help reduce inflammation and feel much better about the choices you make when eating to ease and heal some of the discomfort and sluggishness you may be feeling.  I am also hoping that these "go-to foods" are things you will incorporate into your daily lifestyle as you explore what foods upset your personal balance and disrupt the natural flow of your day-to-day life.

So let's visit the foods you may want to stay away from if you are suffering from intermittent or chronic inflammation.  Here is a list of items to watch for when making your selections at the store, at restaurants, or in your kitchen at home.

Food	Causes	Possible Substitute	Substitute Properties
sugar	inflammation, diabetes, acne	organic coconut sugar	low glycemic index
vegetable oil	heart disease, cancer	olive, hemp, flax oils	oleic acid, heart healthy
trans-fats	high cholesterol, degenerative illness	NO fried, fast or trans foods	-
dairy	allergic reactions, digestive inflammation	kefir, non-sweet yogurt	easier to digest
processed meats	heart disease, high cholesterol	organic and free range meats	omega-3
alcohol	inflammation of the liver and throat	filtered water, green tea	antioxidants
refined grains	cancer, degenerative coronary disease	self milled whole grains	grains left whole
artificial additives	allergic inflammation	natural plant based	less danger of toxicity
?	allergic reactions/all types	foods that don’t irritate	anti-inflammation

Note that in the key for the above table, a "?" is used for you to insert a food that causes you problems and reactions of all types and take it through the chart to replace it with foods that don't cause reactions.   Further below, we will visit foods that you may want to add to your diet to alleviate and promote the healing of symptoms associated with inflammation.

Food	Causes	Possible Substitute	Substitute Properties
sunshine	decreased inflammation, vitamin D	vitamin supplements	vitamin D
fermented foods	build immunity, control infections	pro-biotics	oleic acid, heart healthy
steamed broccoli	fights inflammation, calcium	vitamin supplements	-
hemp oil	reduces inflammation, omega-3	unrefined organic oils	easier to digest
salmon, cod	reduces inflammation, omega-3	other fatty fish, fish oil	omega-3
soaked nuts	vitamin E	vitamin supplements	antioxidants
onions, garlic	antioxidants, reduces inflammation	quercetin supplements	grains left whole
turmeric	unique flavor, reduces inflammation	vitamin supplements	less danger of toxicity
pineapple	natural immune booster, antioxidant	vitamin supplements	anti-inflammation
spinach	reduces inflammation, vitamin E	vitamin supplements	vitamin E
cinnamon	treats diabetes, weight control	ground, whole, organic extract	-
milk thistle	eliminates liver toxins	supplement capsules, ground	-
coconut oil	fights fatigue, promotes weight loss	organic sunflower oil	oleic acid, stops free radicals
ginger	treats arthritis	ground, whole, organic extract	-

Practice substituting foods you're eating now with some of the foods listed here.  Swap them out one at a time giving yourself 30 to 40 days to test out the outcomes and benefits for your particular body type; and remember, slow trials always work better than abrupt shocks to your body's systems.  When in doubt; consult a nutritionist or even a holistic homeopathic practitioner.  These consultations can yield a lot of knowledge as to what your body needs and what diets may work better for you.  Be well. 

Eat, Learn, Live!!!