. |
Seeds for Change Wellness
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
Inflammation = Degenerative Disease
Inflammation = Degenerative Disease
by Bonnie C. Minsky Source: Conscious Choice
Inflammation has long been linked to both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Now, there’
s emerging research that also links chronic inflammation to allergies, asthma, Alzheimer’s
disease, cancer, diabetes, digestive disorders, heart disease, hormonal imbalances and
osteoporosis. Andrew Weil, holistic health M.D., Nicholas Perricone, M.D., an anti-aging
expert, Jeffrey Bland, Ph.D., a biochemist who popularized the concept “genetic
nutritioneering,” and health writer Jack Challem, author of The Inflammation Syndrome,
have spoken widely about the damage that inflammation causes.
Injured tissues become inflamed and result in redness, heat, swelling, pain and loss of
function. When acute inflammation doesn’t shut down, it becomes chronic and causes
damage to the injured tissues. Bland, the nutritional biochemist, says, “Inflammatory stimuli,
such as bacterial infection, trauma, ischemic events, stress-related events, toxic exposures,
allergens and chronic viral infections activate the inflammatory response.”
According to the health experts I mention, the biggest culprit in causing abnormal
inflammation is the pathetic “standard American diet” (SAD) of heavily processed
convenience and fast foods. Perricone believes that “Inflammation equals aging.
Inflammation is the reason you get wrinkles; why you forget everything from where you left
your car keys to your neighbor’s first name; why you can be irritable and depressed and
why you lose the healthy bloom of youth.”
Inflammation is what causes arthritic pain, stiffness when using your muscles, the wheezing
of asthma and the discomfort of allergies. It is even possible that the progression of
atherosclerosis is directly related to chronic inflammation in up to 50 percent of cases.
Excess acid production also increases the inflammatory response leading to loss of bone
and joint tissues.
To reduce degenerative disease, it’s necessary to avoid pro-inflammatory foods and rely
exclusively on anti-inflammatory foods:
Pro-inflammatory foods to avoid:
* red meats from corn-fed, antibiotic/hormone laden animals
* saturated fats such as lard and meat fats
* fried foods
* partially hydrogenated (trans fats) found in margarines, chips, candies, cereals and baked
goods
* cooking oils that are exclusively corn, safflower, sunflower or soy based
* soft drinks (both high sugar and diet varieties)
* excess sugar (both from heavily processed sources, such as candy and from naturally
occurring sources such as fruit juice)
Perricone describes sugar as one of the most serious causes of inflammation, rapid aging
and weight gain. Sugary foods quickly elevate blood sugar, creating an insulin release
along with free radicals that oxidize fats. When oxidized, the fats form plaque deposits in our
arteries, leading to disease. Thus, a diet high in sweets, pasta, fruit juices, cereals and
even rice cakes can actually lead to heart disease. Insulin release also increases stored
body fat and release of pro-inflammatory chemicals causing cell damage and accelerated
aging.
Anti-inflammatory foods and dietary supplements to include:
* foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, especially cold water, wild-caught fish (or fish oil
supplements)
* raw nuts and seeds (especially pecans, almonds, walnuts and flaxseeds)
* homemade soups made with poultry or meat bones (boiling the bones releases
glucosamine and chondroitin into the soup which, when ingested becomes bioavailable in
the body. They can reduce inflammation and helps repair cartilage)
* dark green vegetables (especially kale, seaweed and greens)
* antioxidants in supplement form (especially vitamins C and E, and quercetin)
* zinc taken in supplement form which assists healing and reduces inflammation
* extra virgin organic olive oil, expeller pressed grapeseed and avocado oils
If you are already showing chronic inflammatory symptoms, I recommend that you
adopt the following 10 dietary recommendations:
1) Eat lean meats and poultry that are free-range, organic and not corn-fed (i.e. grass-fed
preferably).
2) Eat a wide variety of vegetables (the deeper the colors, the better).
3) Use cold-pressed, uncooked olive oil (in salad dressings) and grapeseed or avocado oil
for cooking.
4) Avoid products that contain added sugars (especially white sugar and high fructose corn
syrup).
5) Avoid or limit your intake of cow’s milk products.
6) Avoid or limit your intake of heavily processed grains and grains containing gluten if you
suspect an intolerance to them (brown rice, wild rice and millet are gluten-free).
7) Eat organic foods whenever possible.
8) Identify and avoid foods to which you have an allergy or sensitivity.
9) Eat wild, cold water fish at least three times weekly, especially salmon.
10) Eliminate all trans fats. Avoid added saturated fats.
Andrew Weil commented at a recent conference, “The idea on the medical horizon is that
chronic inflammation is a root cause of degenerative diseases.”
It is time for medical schools to improve nutrition education. If physicians are trained to use
“food as medicine,” they may not need to rely upon drugs (and their distressing side-
effects) to treat the inflammatory process.
Disclaimer: This column is for information only and no part of its contents should be
construed as medical advice, diagnosis, recommendation or endorsement by Ms. Minsky.
Bonnie Minsky is a Licensed and Certified Nutrition Specialist, Public Health Educator and
Certified menopause Educator with a private practice in Northbrook, IL. She can be reached
at nutritionalconcepts.com.
by Bonnie C. Minsky Source: Conscious Choice
Inflammation has long been linked to both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Now, there’
s emerging research that also links chronic inflammation to allergies, asthma, Alzheimer’s
disease, cancer, diabetes, digestive disorders, heart disease, hormonal imbalances and
osteoporosis. Andrew Weil, holistic health M.D., Nicholas Perricone, M.D., an anti-aging
expert, Jeffrey Bland, Ph.D., a biochemist who popularized the concept “genetic
nutritioneering,” and health writer Jack Challem, author of The Inflammation Syndrome,
have spoken widely about the damage that inflammation causes.
Injured tissues become inflamed and result in redness, heat, swelling, pain and loss of
function. When acute inflammation doesn’t shut down, it becomes chronic and causes
damage to the injured tissues. Bland, the nutritional biochemist, says, “Inflammatory stimuli,
such as bacterial infection, trauma, ischemic events, stress-related events, toxic exposures,
allergens and chronic viral infections activate the inflammatory response.”
According to the health experts I mention, the biggest culprit in causing abnormal
inflammation is the pathetic “standard American diet” (SAD) of heavily processed
convenience and fast foods. Perricone believes that “Inflammation equals aging.
Inflammation is the reason you get wrinkles; why you forget everything from where you left
your car keys to your neighbor’s first name; why you can be irritable and depressed and
why you lose the healthy bloom of youth.”
Inflammation is what causes arthritic pain, stiffness when using your muscles, the wheezing
of asthma and the discomfort of allergies. It is even possible that the progression of
atherosclerosis is directly related to chronic inflammation in up to 50 percent of cases.
Excess acid production also increases the inflammatory response leading to loss of bone
and joint tissues.
To reduce degenerative disease, it’s necessary to avoid pro-inflammatory foods and rely
exclusively on anti-inflammatory foods:
Pro-inflammatory foods to avoid:
* red meats from corn-fed, antibiotic/hormone laden animals
* saturated fats such as lard and meat fats
* fried foods
* partially hydrogenated (trans fats) found in margarines, chips, candies, cereals and baked
goods
* cooking oils that are exclusively corn, safflower, sunflower or soy based
* soft drinks (both high sugar and diet varieties)
* excess sugar (both from heavily processed sources, such as candy and from naturally
occurring sources such as fruit juice)
Perricone describes sugar as one of the most serious causes of inflammation, rapid aging
and weight gain. Sugary foods quickly elevate blood sugar, creating an insulin release
along with free radicals that oxidize fats. When oxidized, the fats form plaque deposits in our
arteries, leading to disease. Thus, a diet high in sweets, pasta, fruit juices, cereals and
even rice cakes can actually lead to heart disease. Insulin release also increases stored
body fat and release of pro-inflammatory chemicals causing cell damage and accelerated
aging.
Anti-inflammatory foods and dietary supplements to include:
* foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, especially cold water, wild-caught fish (or fish oil
supplements)
* raw nuts and seeds (especially pecans, almonds, walnuts and flaxseeds)
* homemade soups made with poultry or meat bones (boiling the bones releases
glucosamine and chondroitin into the soup which, when ingested becomes bioavailable in
the body. They can reduce inflammation and helps repair cartilage)
* dark green vegetables (especially kale, seaweed and greens)
* antioxidants in supplement form (especially vitamins C and E, and quercetin)
* zinc taken in supplement form which assists healing and reduces inflammation
* extra virgin organic olive oil, expeller pressed grapeseed and avocado oils
If you are already showing chronic inflammatory symptoms, I recommend that you
adopt the following 10 dietary recommendations:
1) Eat lean meats and poultry that are free-range, organic and not corn-fed (i.e. grass-fed
preferably).
2) Eat a wide variety of vegetables (the deeper the colors, the better).
3) Use cold-pressed, uncooked olive oil (in salad dressings) and grapeseed or avocado oil
for cooking.
4) Avoid products that contain added sugars (especially white sugar and high fructose corn
syrup).
5) Avoid or limit your intake of cow’s milk products.
6) Avoid or limit your intake of heavily processed grains and grains containing gluten if you
suspect an intolerance to them (brown rice, wild rice and millet are gluten-free).
7) Eat organic foods whenever possible.
8) Identify and avoid foods to which you have an allergy or sensitivity.
9) Eat wild, cold water fish at least three times weekly, especially salmon.
10) Eliminate all trans fats. Avoid added saturated fats.
Andrew Weil commented at a recent conference, “The idea on the medical horizon is that
chronic inflammation is a root cause of degenerative diseases.”
It is time for medical schools to improve nutrition education. If physicians are trained to use
“food as medicine,” they may not need to rely upon drugs (and their distressing side-
effects) to treat the inflammatory process.
Disclaimer: This column is for information only and no part of its contents should be
construed as medical advice, diagnosis, recommendation or endorsement by Ms. Minsky.
Bonnie Minsky is a Licensed and Certified Nutrition Specialist, Public Health Educator and
Certified menopause Educator with a private practice in Northbrook, IL. She can be reached
at nutritionalconcepts.com.