When we think about inflammation, we may think of pain and inflammatory conditions such as arthritis or gout. Inflammation and the damage it causes can go unnoticed, silently, and painlessly. Inflammation is a major cause of inflammation, which can lead to diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and accelerated aging. Statin drugs can cause more problems than they solve. Heart disease has also been linked with inflammation and higher levels homeocysteine. While homeocysteine is a better indicator of pending heart disease, it is not as important as it is for establishing the condition.
Vitamins
However, adequate amounts of B vitamins can help to reduce homeocysteine to safe levels. Another important fact that has been established for a while is that heart disease and heart attacks rarely occur due to fatty plaques in the arteries. Certain arteries are active partners in the progression of heart disease by attracting and sheltering cells that release inflammation substances. Penny Kris-Etherton PhD, R.D., Penn State’s distinguished professor of nutrition, says that inflammation plays a key part in weakening arterial plaque and causing deposits to rupture.
This can lead to sudden cardiac death, heart attack, stroke, or even death. Many others have reported on these findings over the years. Inflammation isn’t just linked to heart disease, but also in other chronic diseases. We can reduce inflammation and lower our risk of developing heart disease, diabetes or cancer, as well as arthritis, asthma, and speed up our aging process.
Inflammation
The good news is that you can control how much inflammation your body produces. You can either increase or decrease inflammation in your body. You can choose. Prostaglandins, hormone-like substances, come in three main categories: prostaglandins 1, 2, and 3. Their main function is to reduce inflammation or increase inflammation. Consuming refined oils, margarine, shortenings and margarine can cause an imbalance in the production of prostaglandins which in turn can lead to inflammation and pain. There are two types of essential fatty acid we need in our diets: omega-3 and omega-6. Two types of hormone-like substances are made from omega 6. The first type has an anti-inflammatory effect, series-1 prostaglandins.
The second type is involved with inflammation and thickening blood called series-2 prostaglandins. Series-3 prostaglandins are another type that has an anti-inflammatory effect. All three of these need to be in harmony. The balance is now tilted in favor of inflammation. We consume too many processed oils/fats, excessive amounts of saturated animal fats, and too little fish, wild games, and seeds, or other plants rich in essential oil fatty acids. We have a mechanism that will convert alpha linolenic acids into EPA if we don’t eat wild game or fish. To convert alpha-linolenic acids to EPA, the body must have enough nutrients such as vitamin B6, vitamin C and magnesium.
Diets
These nutrients are often lacking in the diets of most people. The excess intake of shortenings, margarine, and processed oils can also block this conversion. Vitamins C, B6, magnesium, and zinc are all found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. These days, inflammation is common. It’s not surprising. Our diets are preventing us from producing the right amounts of series-1, series-3 prostaglandins to help with disease and balance inflammation. What you eat and drink directly affects the amount and type prostaglandins your body produces.
Foods that promote inflammation include refined carbohydrates such as white flour products, sugar, saturated oils, and trans-fatty acid. Arachidonic acid is a compound that causes inflammation and is found in meat, poultry, eggs, and shellfish. While this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t eat animal product, it does mean that you should reduce the amount you eat.
Remember
Wheat and other grains like rye and barley contain gluten, a protein that has been linked to inflammation. Tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, and potatoes are all members of the nightshade plant family. They contain a compound called Solanine which can cause inflammation in many people, particularly those with arthritic conditions. Nature has many anti-inflammatory foods which reduce the body’s production inflammatory compounds and fight harmful free radicals (also known as speeding up the aging process).
There are lots of good news. Wild-caught salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acid, which helps reduce inflammation (found in supermarkets in canned). Omega-3s are also found in sardines, mackerel, and Herring. Fish oil capsules are a good option, especially if you don’t eat much oily fatty fish. Walnuts are another source of omega-3s. They counteract some of heart disease’s inflammatory processes. They also contain other beneficial compounds. Quercetin is a type antioxidant that inhibits enzymes that cause inflammation. Onions are rich in quercetin. Red wine, apples, red grapes, and broccoli are all good sources of quercetin.
Blueberries are rich in anthocyanins which is a type polyphenol antioxidant that boosts immunity. It also protects the body against free-radical damage, which can trigger inflammation. Blackberries, raspberries, cranberries and strawberries are all good sources of polyphenols. You can now buy polyphenols in Panama in capsules. Carotenoids, antioxidants found in sweet potatoes and pumpkins, can boost immunity and reduce inflammation. Carotenoids can also be found in any deep orange, yellow, red, or green fruit and vegetable, such as carrots and winter squash, papayas, and mangoes. The same thing can be done by dark green leaves of lettuces and herbs like parsley.
Final Tips
Garlic, like onions, is rich in sulfur compounds. These compounds stimulate the immune system by increasing the activity of natural killer cells and T helper cell which manage the immune response. Garlic is also an effective anti-inflammatory agent. Bromelain, which is found in pineapple stems and other fruits, is an enzyme that reduces inflammation and has immune-enhancing properties. As a supplement, this can be taken. Fresh ginger root is an anti-inflammatory agent. It inhibits COX-2 enzymes which are part of the chemical pathway that makes inflammatory chemicals. Panama is home to fresh ginger. Turmeric, a spice important in Indian cooking, is used in many curries. Vitamin C is an effective anti-inflammatory. The 5-a-day policy (minimum 5 a day) is the minimum.