When you have a headache or joint pain,
the easy fix is to reach for an over-the counter anti-inflammatory. However,
recent studies show an alarming trend.
It turns out that even one dose of the most popular OTC and prescription
anti-inflammatories is enough to significantly increase your risk of heart attack. When
taken regularly or in large doses, those same drugs can also cause serious gastrointestinal damage.
Fortunately, there's a healthier,
all-natural way to ease inflammation, and it's on your kitchen table. Foods with omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and other nutrients are
natural anti-inflammatories. By eating them regularly, you can lower your risk
for inflammation and its harmful effects.
That's important because chronic
inflammation is a factor in
almost every major disease, from type
2 diabetes and heart disease to Hashimoto's and fibromyalgia.
Inflammation can also speed up aging, make it hard to lose weight, and cause
issues with digestion.
The great news is that the foods on the
handy list below are not only natural anti-inflammatories, they taste
fantastic. It's an easy choice to add more to your diet.
Here are my top 10 foods to fight inflammation naturally:
Seeds (Chia Or Flaxseed)
Chia and
flaxseed are great sources of anti-inflammatory fiber and healthy
omega-3s, and they easily blend into your morning protein shake.
Add it: Make your
own oats that feature both chia seeds and flaxseeds.
Tree Nuts (Almonds, Walnuts,
Pistachios—Not Peanuts)
Nuts help
fight inflammation with clean protein and healthy fats, and they're
equally at home in dinner or dessert.
Add it: Add nuts to
your favorite pastries and baked goods.
Berries (Raspberries,
Blueberries, Strawberries)
Berries are
packed full of antioxidants, omega-3s, and fiber—all that, and they're tasty
too.
Add it: Add berries to
your favorite smoothie recipes.
Turmeric (a.k.a. Curcumin)
Long used in
traditional Eastern medicine, turmeric contains chemicals that mimic
your body's own natural anti-inflammatories.
Add it: Whip up a turmeric
latte (it'll quickly replace your favorite PSL) or a tropical
turmeric cleanser smoothie for an antioxidant boost.
Ginger
Not only
does ginger soothe digestion and ease nausea, it can help decrease
inflammation system-wide.
Add it: A ginger-spice smoothie will put you in
fat-burning mode and you can even use it to spice up your bone broth.
Garlic
The sulfur
compounds in garlic help stimulate your immune system and limit your
body's inflammatory response.
Add it: To supercharge
the healing power of garlic, turn it into a homemade roasted garlic spread or
a DIY garlic hummus.
Fatty Fish (Wild-Caught Tuna Or
Salmon)
The healthy
omega-3 fatty acids in fatty fish make them rockstars of the
anti-inflammatory world.
Add it: Eat fish and
enjoy the nutritional benefits.
Leafy Green Vegetables (Spinach,
Kale, Or Chard)
Leafy greens contain
so many natural anti-inflammatories, including antioxidants and fiber. Don't
love the taste? Blend them up in a smoothie!
Add it: Toss them
into green smoothies , or add them into soup.
Coconut Oil
The health
benefits of coconut oil are numerous, thanks to medium chain triglycerides
that naturally lessen inflammation, plus lauric acid to boost your immune
system.
Add it: It's one of
the healthiest cooking oils, so add it to your cooking routine, but here's
a bonus for you: there are many ways to use coconut oil, other than in the
kitchen.
Dark Chocolate
The flavanols
in cacao help prevent inflammation that causes aging and disease, so dark
chocolate is officially a health food.
Add it: Throw them
into a gluten-free chocolate chip cookie recipe, a chocolate avocado
mousse, or in a chocolate truffle to satisfy cravings.
More than
anything, remember that fresh is always best. But if you're not eating the
foods above on a daily basis, consider adding a high-quality multivitamin and
omega-3 supplement to your daily routine. Turmeric, ginger, and garlic are also
available in concentrated capsule form for a natural anti-inflammatory boost.
No comments:
Post a Comment