If you’re reading this, I assume you’re either an anti-inflammatory dieter or interested in trying one. Congrats! There’s a lot to learn about these diets, and I think you’re going to enjoy this article.
How To Start An Anti-Inflammatory Diet
An anti-inflammatory diet is a type of nutritional therapy that seeks to modulate the body’s response to inflammation. When you eat foods that are high in anti-inflammatory compounds, your body produces less cortisone and less cytokines, two inflammatory markers that can contribute to chronic pain and stress. So, essentially, when you follow an anti-inflammatory diet, you’re lowering your body’s inflammation levels.
There are many reasons why you might want to follow an anti-inflammatory diet. If you have arthritis or rheumatism, you might experience relief from painful inflammation. You might also choose this diet for its potential to reduce the risk of inflammation-related diseases like diabetes and heart disease as well as some forms of cancer. Or, you could adopt this diet because you want to feel better overall.
The main principle of an anti-inflammatory diet is to eat foods that act as natural anti-inflammatory agents. These foods are mostly fruits, veggies, nuts, and seeds. You might also incorporate some animal products like eggs and meat into your diet. But, you should avoid anything with added sugar, whether it comes from natural foods or manufactured foods.
Top-Notch Research
One of the major motivations for following an anti-inflammatory diet is the abundant research that supports it. Not only do multiple studies indicate that an anti-inflammatory diet can reduce the presence of inflammatory markers in the body, but it can also improve overall health. A 2016 review article from the American Journal of Medicine found that following an anti-inflammatory diet can significantly reduce the body’s production of inflammatory markers like TNF-α and IL-6. TNF-α is a substance that can contribute to chronic inflammation. IL-6, on the other hand, is a substance that promotes the growth of cancer cells.
Additionally, some research indicates that following an anti-inflammatory diet can also help to reduce cholesterol levels, body fat, and blood pressure. The American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, and World Cancer Research Fund all recommend eating fruits and vegetables as part of a healthy diet.
If you’re interested in trying an anti-inflammatory diet, there are some things you need to think about. First, make sure you’re not already eating a healthy diet. If you are, congratulations! But, if you’re not, then it might be a good idea to try an anti-inflammatory diet as a way to improve your overall health. It’s well-established that the diet can help to reduce inflammation, so you’re pretty much guaranteed to feel better (physically and emotionally). Second, make sure you consult with your physician or nutritionist to see if the diet is right for you.
Types Of Anti-Inflammatory Diets
There are basically two types of anti-inflammatory diets. One type is based on foods that fight inflammation directly. These diets usually feature lots of fruits, veggies, and nuts because those are the primary sources of natural anti-inflammatory compounds. One of the most popular of these diets is the paleo diet. The other type of anti-inflammatory diet seeks to lower inflammation by restricting the intake of foods that have the potential to raise it. This type of diet usually focuses on limiting foods with added sugar and carbohydrates. You might want to try a ketogenic diet if you want to follow this one.
Considerations For People With Special Needs
If you have a special needs child or adult on your hands, you might want to incorporate some consideration into your diet planning. If you’re not sure how to go about doing this, here are some tips. First, make sure that the diet is appropriate for them. Just because something is gluten-free or dairy-free doesn’t mean that it’s suitable for everyone regardless of their health conditions. Additionally, make sure they’re getting their nutrients otherwise they’ll be at risk of deficiency.
Once you know that the diet is appropriate for them, focus on making healthy choices available. If they have dietary restrictions themselves, like vegan or vegetarian diets, make sure that you’re incorporating those into your plans as well. You could also look at increasing their intake of fruits and vegetables by cooking them in a healthier way or replacing those processed snacks with high-quality natural foods. Additionally, if they have medical issues like Crohn’s disease or cancer, make sure that their doctors know about your plans so that they can closely monitor their treatment for these conditions.
Final Takeaway
Hopefully, this article gave you enough information to make an informed decision about starting an anti-inflammatory diet. The good news is that there’s a wealth of information online if you want to learn more. Plus, you can contact your local nutritionist or physician to get their opinion as well.