Foods That Can Cause Chronic Inflammation

Immune system illnesses such as Rheumatoid arthritis, Systemic lupus, Scleroderma, and cardiovascular disease are illnesses where an allergic reaction may be the root cause of the illness.

An immune system response by the body can begin with something so simple as a food allergy which then inflames an inflammatory response within the body. This occurs when the immune system mistakes the body's normal healthy tissue as an invader and in error it launches an all out attack on this suspected intruder. Our immune system which should protect our body from harm by only attacking threats to the body such as bacteria or cancer, rather than defending the body, instead sets out on a relentless mission to damage and destroy the very healthy tissue that it is there to protect.

There are a number of the theories as to why this process of chronic inflammation occurs. One theory is that the inflammation might be caused by an allergic type response of the body to certain foods or pollutants. Because we continue to expose ourselves to the offending product or products, the inflammation remains within our body, and it becomes chronic. The longer that this chronic inflammation affects the body, then the more damage that usually occurs from it, and the more disabling the inflammatory based illness becomes.

It is believed that some types of chronic inflammation particularly that of Rheumatoid arthritis may have its roots in a dietary trigger. By removing this triggering agent we may be able to substantially reduce the symptoms of this illness, and in some instances, even induce a total remission. Studies have proven that this is indeed possible.

So which foods promote chronic inflammation? Well the largest suspected dietary trigger for these inflammatory based illnesses is dairy products. They rank as the out and out number one possible dietary inflammation trigger.

To discover if dairy products are the possible reason for your chronic inflammation, simply eliminate all dairy products from your diet (this means ALL of these foods) and within a few weeks your symptoms will subside if dairy is the root cause of your illness.

Another top suspect in the cause of inflammation caused by diet is red meat, and other high in fat products such as oils, and margarine. Studies have proven that cox-2 enzymes within the body cause more inflammation when there is a higher imbalance between the omega-6 fatty acids and the omega-3 fatty acids in the body. By decreasing our intake of those foods containing omega-6 fats (saturated and transfats) and increasing our intake of omega-3 fats (such as those found in flax seed or oily fish like salmon and tuna) we can effectively reverse this imbalance.

Broiling and pouching rather than frying meat, and eating only lean white meats and fish in place of beef, can greatly help to decrease the risk of inflammation caused by a fat imbalance.

Other foods that rank high on the list of possible triggers for inflammatory based illnesses are nightshade plants such as tomatoes, white potatoes, tobacco, red and green peppers. Also citrus fruits, nuts, corn, wheat, oats, rye, eggs, sugar, salt, and coffee. The only way for a person to discover if one or more of these products are causing their illness is to eliminate them from your diet plan and then watch for any improvements to your health.

Investigating dietary triggers can be a slow process, but it is one very well worth investigating into if it is the root cause of your illness, your health is worth it.

A diet mainly consisting of fruits, vegetables, rice, fish and beans may be the answer to preventing or eliminating some forms of arthritis or other inflammatory based illnesses.

It has been proven that a diet high in antioxidants can help to reduce the inflammation. Antioxidants combine with the free radicals within the body and render them harmless. Free radicals are those molecules within our body that for one reason or another are incomplete. These free radicals try to become complete by stealing electrons from complete molecules within our system. Unfortunately when they do this they then cause the donating molecule to become unstable, or to in effect become another free radical, it then begins an attempt to in turn make itself once again complete.

Antioxidants are stable or complete molecules that no matter whether or not they donate one of their electrons to another molecule will remain stable. They can give an electron to free radicals without damaging themselves so they effectively stop the chain of damage from occurring. By stopping this cell damage we can effectively slow the effects of aging and those inflammatory based illnesses connected with this process.

Diet changes have definitely been proven to alter the degree of chronic inflammation within some forms of inflammatory based illness. Reumatoid arthritis and Gout are two forms of arthritis that have been found to often be diet based.

If you suspect that a change in your diet may improve your health then it is an arena well worth investigating.

Per 100 grams or approximately 3 1/2 ounces.

Kale - 11770 Spinach - 11260 Prunes - 5570
Raisins - 2830 Blueberries - 2400
Blackberries - 2036 Brussel Sprouts - 1980
Alfafla Sprouts - 1930 Broccoli Flowers - 1890 Beets - 1840 Red Bell Peppers - 1710 Strawberries - 1540 Onion - 1450 Corn - 1400
Eggplant - 1390 Raspberries - 1220 Plums - 949 Oranges - 750 Red Grapes - 739 Cherries - 670 Kiwi Fruit - 602 Pink Grapefruit - 483

An elimination diet plan is a form of diet that is usually used to discover which foods, or food groups, an individual might have a sensitivity to.

Up to Seventy five percent of the population have an allergy or intolerance to a food that is generally considered safe for human consumption. These food sensitivities may cause nothing more than a mild case of gastrointestinal discomfort to the sufferer, but they may also be severe enough to cause harm to one or more of the body's organs....How To Set Up An Elimination Diet Plan.

The mere words "Nightshade Plant" bring up images of mysterious workings within the gloom of night, the creation of magic spells or poisonous concoctions, images of witches and medicine men silently creating their wares.

Well these images and ideals surrounding Nightshade Plants may not be that far off from the truth....Allergies To Nightshade: What You Need To Know.

I was shocked when I stumbled upon one of the latest theories as to why I am ill. The theory is that I am sick because I may be a survivor of spontaneous remission from cancer.

Wow, now that was an article that caught my attention. I was glued to my computer screen. Could my over active immune system actually be triggered by my body's own attempts to heal itself?....SPONTANEOUS REMISSION?

When you decide to cook up a salmon fillet recipe you just can't go wrong. Salmon is a delicious nutritious fish whether it is fried, baked, poached, or canned. There are many ways to cook up a salmon recipe, but no matter how you prepare this fish, it always cooks up into one great tasting meal.

A rich source of healthy protein salmon is a fish that is loaded with healthy omega 3 fats and vitamin D...Poached salmon fillet recipe.

If you are looking for the best apple that can be found, well which apple you choose will be based entirely on your tastes, and on the purpose for which you desire that apple.

Virtually all of the 7500 varieties of fruit apples, have a very similar nutritional content, and this varies only slightly depending on the type or size of apple that you choose to consume....The Best Apple.

When you participate in pleasurable activities like smiling, laughing, exercising or playing, your brain does an amazing thing and releases a little chemical message known as an endorphin.

These endorphins are feel good messages that have the power to actually remove physical and emotional pain. They travel down the spine, and then throughout your body, sending a feeling of well being as they go. These endorphins not only have the ability to relieve pain but they also have the power to make you feel happy. So remember to take time to play - It really is important.

www.arthritis.org/foods-and-inflammation

www.pcrm.org/health/arthritis

www.mayoclinic.com/health/rheumatoid-arthritis

Findarticles.com/Nightshade plants

Images displayed on this article are from my family's personal photo album. Other images for this article were found at: Karen's Whimsy: Public Domain Images

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