As I pointed out October’s ALIVE, Chronic Inflammation is the number one cause of death, according to the World Health Organization. Some might disagree and say it is Heart Disease or Cancer, but chronic inflammation is the major cause of both of those diseases.
In my field of Tempromandibular Joint Disorders (TMJ) and Sleep Apnea, chronic inflammation is heavily involved. It is a major cause of arthritis and fibromyalgia, both involved in TMJ, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) causes chronic inflammation. This condition can result in severe stress, and stress can also cause chronic inflammation.
Your body creates chemicals that cause and fight inflammation. A major player is called “Prostaglandins.” They come from the nutrients in the foods you eat and, according to bad or good food; they will produce inflammation or fight inflammation.
There is a big plus here; the discovery of the importance of chronic inflammation has made it possible for the patient to be more proactive in preventing and even curing his or her disease. In October’s ALIVE I went over the bad guys that cause chronic inflammation. You can now find sources which give an inflammatory index which will help you value almost all foods as good or bad. Some of the best anti-inflammatory foods are:
- Wild Salmon: (never farmed) Great source of omega-3. On the anti-inflammatory index, most fish score very high. If you don’t like fish, it is probably because you don’t know how to buy it and cook it. It’s great! Because I am and avid fisherman I can tell fresh just looking at it. I see fish for sale in markets that I would throw out. Find a fish market you can trust.
- Olive oil (extra virgin): Olive oil is so good for you that you can almost consider it a dietary supplement. Great for the skin.
- Organic vegetables: especially broccoli, kale, brussel sprouts and bok choy.
All veggies are great, but these are especially anti-inflammatory.
- Garlic: Garlic and onions are quite high on the inflammatory index.
- Ginger: Contains many other benefits in addition to being very anti-inflammatory.
- Blueberries (organic only): organic because the small size makes them hard to wash for removal of sprays. This food is like a prescription drug for good health and it is anti-inflammatory.
- Sweet Potato: everything good—fiber, beta-carotene, minerals and vitamins plus anti-inflammatory.
- Turmeric: Multiple benefits and a great addition to not only you diet but to tastier cooking.
- Kelp: could be one of the most anti-inflammatory foods around plus a great source of most minerals.
I am well aware that, to many readers, cooking is too much effort. It is so important to understand that eating fresh can totally change your life. Once you experience that new, healthy feeling, you might even have enough increased energy to want to cook. On the internet you can find not only recipes for anti-inflammatory meals but many cook books dedicated to eating for good health.
There are several other ways one can have an anti-inflammatory lifestyle. Recent discoveries, which are going to change western approach to medicine, have been able to find the actual mechanisms by which the mind can create disease as well as help to cure it.
Now we really know how important it is to have a holistic approach to an illness. Every aspect of the body, including one’s thoughts, must be considered when determining the many factors that create a disease. I would rather look at it positively and understand that now we are getting the knowledge that will allow us to be free of the enemies of health and youthfulness.
Finally, we are getting the information we need to truly be proactive in giving ourselves the best chance at a healthy, energetic and vital life. If the doctor you go to for a symptom does not react to what you have learned, you definitely need to find a doctor who does and is happy that you want to be proactive.
In the next issue I will go into other ways our lifestyle affects inflammation and what to do about them. Just following some of the guidelines can make a difference.
Robert Brown, DDS has a TMJ, orthodontia, and sleep apnea practice in Danville and thoroughly enjoys discussing holistic medicine. You can contact him at 925-837-8048, at info@aodtc.com, or visit his web site at www.aodtc.com.
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