To Be Inflamed or Anti-Inflamed? That Is the Question.

Inflammation is required for healing, but when there is something persistently irritating the body, such as smoking, stress, poor diet, and others, inflammation ceases to be something that the body turns on and off when it is needed and remains stuck in the on position.

Chronic inflammation can result in your body starting to damage healthy cells, tissue, and organs and has been linked to cancer. Avoiding chronic inflammation should be a priority for all of us. The following is a list of inflammatory inducing foods and inflammatory reducing foods to help us make some better food choices. These foods are associated with increased levels of inflammation:

• Fast food, potato chips, pretzels
• White bread, white rice, flour tortillas, pastas
• Sugar-sweetened beverages such as soda, sport drinks, energy drinks
• Hot-dogs, bacon, smoked meats, salami

While These foods are associated with decreased levels of inflammation:

• Berries contain antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory effects on the body.
• Fatty fish contain high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids known to have anti-inflammatory properties.
• Tomatoes contain lycopene which can reduce inflammation.
• Grapes contain resveratrol which can reduce inflammation.
• Broccoli contains sulforaphane an antioxidant associated with decreased inflammation.
• Dark chocolate and cocoa contain flavanols associated with reduced inflammation.

Blood tests can help determine if you are dealing with chronic inflammation and knowing which foods are associated with inflammation and which are associated with anti-inflammation may be of some help in guiding your dietary choices. Please talk to your ASAP provider for more information.