Best Anti-Inflammatory FOODS

Best Anti-Inflammatory

FOODS

& SUPPLEMENTS

DR. JOSH AXE

This content is strictly the opinion of Dr. Josh Axe, and is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of medical advice or treatment from a personal physician. Readers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Neither the author nor publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All readers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

03 INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER 1 04 Inflammatory Diseases

and Conditions

CHAPTER 2 07 Top Anti-Inflammatory

Foods

CHAPTER 3 10 5 Best Anti-Inflammatory

Supplements

13 REFERENCES

14 ABOUT DR. JOSH AXE

Introduction

If you're a frequent flyer in the natural health scene, you've more than likely heard the term "inflammation" tossed around quite a bit recently. But while it may seem like little more than the newest buzzword to crop up, chronic inflammation is actually a serious issue that plays a central role in health and disease. To put it simply, inflammation is a normal response by the immune system that helps protect the body against illness and infection. When you get a bug bite, for example, your body releases histamine, which sends white blood cells to the area and increases blood flow, resulting in swelling. This type of short-term, acute inflammation is essential to health; it helps promote healing and supports immune function to keep you feeling your best. However, sustaining high levels of inflammation long-term is not only harmful, but it can be downright detrimental when it comes to your health. In fact, some research suggests that inflammation is at the root of most diseases and may also contribute to chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes and cancer.1 Fortunately, there are plenty of natural ways to reduce inflammation and improve your overall health in the process. Let's dive right in and take a closer look at the role that inflammation can play in your health, plus how to stop it in its tracks once and for all.

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CHAPTER 1

Inflammatory Diseases and Conditions

Chronic inflammation can take a real toll on your body and may even contribute to the development of several chronic conditions in the long-run. Here are a few of the most common diseases that may be tied to inflammation:

Heart disease

Accounting for 31.5 percent of deaths worldwide, heart disease is a major problem that affects millions around the globe. (2) According to the American Heart Association, widespread inflammation is increasingly common in heart disease and stroke patients and is believed to be linked to the formation of fatty plaque in the arteries. (3)

Asthma

Commonly characterized by wheezing and difficulty breathing, asthma is a condition in which the airways narrow and swell. Asthma is typically treated with medications that help dilate the airways and reduce inflammation to manage and control symptoms.

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Inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease occurs when the lining of the digestive tract becomes swollen and inflamed, leading to symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea, severe weight loss and fatigue.

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are the two main types of inflammatory bowel disease, each of which can be debilitating and can come with serious consequences to health.

Celiac disease

This autoimmune disorder triggers an immune response whenever foods containing gluten are consumed, resulting in digestive distress and nutrient malabsorption.

Rheumatoid arthritis

As the most common type of autoimmune arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the immune system attacks healthy tissues and cells in the body. This causes a wide range of adverse side effects, including chronic pain and swelling in the joints.

Cancer

Some research suggests that environments with high concentrations of inflammatory cells may promote the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body, potentially increasing the risk of tumor formation. (4)

Diabetes

Inflammation can cause insulin resistance, leading to a spike in blood sugar levels and upping the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes, on the other hand, is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system malfunctions and damages the cells responsible for producing insulin, resulting in chronic, widespread inflammation.

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Lupus

Lupus is a systemic autoimmune condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks your body, causing damage to the tissues and organs. In addition to making modifications to diet and lifestyle, lupus is treated using immunosuppressive therapies and medications that help reduce inflammation.

Leaky Gut

This digestive condition is caused by damage to the lining of the digestive tract, which allows food particles and toxins to pass from the intestines to the blood, resulting in inflammation.

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CHAPTER 2

Top Anti-Inflammatory Foods

Fortunately, there are also also plenty of healthy foods that have been proven to be effective when it comes to minimizing inflammation and optimizing your health. A natural approach to inflammation includes the following foods.

Top anti-inflammatory foods:

1 Blueberries

Boasting a good amount of antioxidants in each serving, blueberries can help fight free radical formation and prevent oxidative damage to the cells to decrease inflammation.

2 Leafy Green Vegetables

Leafy greens like spinach, kale and Swiss chard are brimming with flavonoids, which are plant compounds that have been shown to offer protection against chronic conditions such as dementia, heart disease and even cancer.5

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