| According to some proponents of an | | | | are popular diets that are good examples. |
| Anti-Inflammatory diet, low grade inflammation may | | | | - The DASH Diet...DASH stands for Dietary |
| be at the root of everything from heart disease and | | | | Approaches to Stop Hypertension. This diet consists |
| diabetes to arthritis and Alzheimer's disease. | | | | of whole grains and grain products, fresh fruits, fresh |
| Inflammation is the way the body's immune system | | | | vegetables, low or non-fat dairy products, lean |
| responds to attack, injury or infection. Symptoms | | | | meats, fish and poultry, nuts, seeds and legumes with |
| include swelling, pain, sometimes loss of movement or | | | | a very limited amount of fats and sweets. |
| function and red coloration. | | | | - The South Beach Diet...This diet boasts a life |
| The immune system is a complex system of organs, | | | | changing regimen that allows you to live contentedly |
| tissues and specialized cells that protects the body | | | | without eating bad carbohydrate and fats. It works in |
| from invasions by viruses, bacteria and allergens as | | | | three phases. Phase One lasts two weeks and |
| well as harmful insiders such as infected cells and | | | | consists of normal portions but all carbohydrates are |
| toxins. Autoimmune diseases are a result of the | | | | restricted. In Phase Two some banned foods are |
| system turning on itself and damaging tissue and | | | | introduced. This phase lasts until desired weight is |
| creating substances that result in chronic health | | | | reached. Phase Three is for maintenance and should |
| conditions. Type 1 diabetes, arthritis, cancer, multiple | | | | be followed indefinitely. |
| sclerosis and systemic lupus are all examples of | | | | - The Mediterranean Diet...Key components of this |
| autoimmune diseases. | | | | diet include: Getting plenty of exercise and eating |
| The immune system response to an unhealthy diet | | | | your meals with family and friends Eating a generous |
| can lead to this chronic inflammation. Although an | | | | amount of fruits and vegetables Consuming healthy |
| anti-inflammatory diet cannot eradicate inflammation, | | | | fats such as olive oil and canola oil Using herbs and |
| it purportedly can reduce the inflammation that | | | | spices instead of salt to flavor foods Eating small |
| causes autoimmune disease. | | | | portions of nuts Drinking red wine, in moderation, for |
| Aren't there drugs that can do this? Yes, of course | | | | some Consuming very little red meat Eating fish or |
| there are. That is what NSAIDs (NonSteroidal | | | | shellfish at least twice a week This has proven to be |
| Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) are for. And they work; | | | | one of the healthiest diets in the world. |
| sort of. There are mixed reports on NSAIDs effect | | | | - The Zone Diet...Described by it's creator Barry Sears |
| on inflammation. Some evidence shows that people | | | | not a diet but a healthy, balanced lifestyle he says it |
| on NSAIDs for long periods have a lower incidence of | | | | can best be described as a moderate-carbohydrate, |
| autoimmune disease. Other studies show that long | | | | moderate-protein, moderate-fat diet that has |
| term use can actually lead to cardiovascular problems. | | | | approximately one gram of fat for every two grams |
| What is an Anti-Inflammatory Diet ? | | | | of protein and three grams of carbohydrates (The |
| Any food with refined sugar or white flour in it tends | | | | Zone Diet 1-2-3 Method). It is promoted as an |
| to be inflammatory. Fast foods, deep fried foods, fat | | | | anti-inflammatory diet . |
| and processed foods all are considered inflammatory. | | | | Whether inflammation actually causes chronic |
| An anti-inflammatory diet would exclude these items | | | | diseases or merely accompanies them is probably not |
| and include fresh fruits and vegetables, Omega 3 oils | | | | well established. However, like many preventable |
| such as found in salmon, and a minimum of red meat. | | | | diseases, if inflammation can be controlled with a |
| In other words this diet is no different from what | | | | healthy diet, exercise, and a positively altered life |
| we have constantly been told is a healthy diet. There | | | | style, isn't it worth a try? |