The immune system’s response to an inflammatory diet diverts the body’s energy from healing and repair and allows whatever is latent in our genetic makeup to “kick up” whatever is chronic (arthritis, migraines, depression) to worsen.
Chronic inflammation exacerbates and hastens the aging process because it floods tissues with free radicals and promotes the destruction of normal cells. Chronic low grade inflammation contributes to the aging process, and research shows that is a major contributor to the aging of the cardiovascular and nervous system. Inflammation is now recognized as one of the key risk factors for heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol and stroke and cognitive and neurological disorders. While the list seems extensive most people are only reactive to 3-4 items.
Below is a list, based on my research, of many foods eaten on a daily basis and their potential of reactivity:
Reactive foods
90- 95% Reactive
• Farm raised fish
• Deli meats
• Most sushi – most sushi restaurants will use farm raised fish unless eating in expensive restaurants
85% Reactive
• Shrimp, most shellfish
• Turkey
• Tomato sauce
• Eggplant
• Oatmeal
• Greek yoghurt
• Beans- especially black beans and cannellini
• Cauliflower
• Cabbage
• Whole eggs
• Non-organic spinach- very high pesticide residue
• Cottage cheese
• Grapefruit- not recommended bcs of impairing liver function
• Tofu
• Salmon
• Oranges
70% Reactive
• Yogurt
• Green beans
• Asparagus
• Bok Choy
• Tomatoes, green peppers, eggplant, potatoes (purple potatoes are less reactive)
• Pork
60% Reactive
• Red peppers (green peppers are unripe peppers)
• Mushrooms
• Tuna, Swordfish, Cod
• Edamame
• Acid fruits (pineapples etc)
50% Reactive
• Veal
• Milk
• Tempeh
• White fish with exception of tuna, swordfish and cod
• Couscous
• Rice (except for brown or basmati lowers reactive rate to 10%)
• Almond milk
• Quinoa
30% Reactive
• Egg whites
• Nut butters made with roasted nuts
• Sesame seeds/Tahini
• Lentils, peas
• Bananas
20% Reactive
• Lactose-free milk
• Scallops
• Steak
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Here are the basics of the anti-inflammatory diet:
• 90% plant-based foods (or more)
April 12, 2012 - 8:55am• Fresh produce at every meal
• No processed foods (made in a factory)
• No fried foods, no cheap oils
• Lots of cold-refined, extra virgin olive oil
• Lots of avocados, fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, etc.
• Drink fresh vegetable juice daily (juice it yourself!)
• The best anti-inflammatory juices are cucumber and celery
• Lots of superfoods (berries, sprouts, etc.)
• Green tea and water as your beverages
• Lots of raw walnuts, pecans and other nuts
This Comment
This sounds as though it is exactly the solution to my problem. I have thyroid issues, and am convinced inflammation is at the root of why I am totally unable to lose weight, no matter how little I eat, or how much I exercise. However, I would like to know what I CAN eat if there are so many things I CAN'T eat. It would be nice if there would be something on this site that could put a positive spin on the inflammation issue (if there is any.) However, maybe there is something here that I'm just not seeing. I'll have to continue to do some searching.
April 1, 2012 - 11:47amI cannot ever do those letters right
March 26, 2012 - 10:26pm