Top 15 Anti-Inflammatory Foods

Really Informative video from Dr. Axe about inflammatory foods to add to your diet. We really liked it and had to share. Let us know what you think?

HOW MUCH FISH IS SAFE TO EAT PER WEEK?

Quick, guess what major food source Americans still fall way short on in their diets? If you said fish, winner, winner, seafood dinner. The average American eats only a third of the recommended eight ounces of seafood per week, according to the USDA. And that means we’re missing out on all the nutritious stuff seafood has on offer: lean protein, vitamin D, selenium, and brain-boosting, heart-healthy omega-3s.

“Personally I don’t think people eat enough fish simply because they don’t know how to cook it,” says Keri Gans, R.D., author of The Small Change Diet. 

But there could be another culprit: concerns about mercury. This naturally-occurring mineral can be toxic in high levels, and it tends to hang around in your body, so pros recommend limiting consumption of fish that contain a lot of it. Pregnant or breastfeeding women are warned to watch their intake because high levels of mercury can damage the developing brain and nervous system of a fetus or baby, but small children and any woman of childbearing age should be concerned as well.

POLYPHENOLS? WHAT ARE THEY AND WHAT ARE THE BEST FOODS TO EAT.

Polyphenols might be one of those intriguing buzzwords you frequently read on health food labels. You add them to cart because they sound like something you should be incorporating into your diet but you’re not quite sure why. But...what exactly do they do for you?

Karen Ansel, R.D.N., author of Healing Superfoods for Anti-Aging: Stay Younger, Live Longer, says polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidant chemicals found naturally in many plants, are instrumental in protecting our cells from free radical damage, which are often attributed to chronic illnesses like cancer, heart disease and dementia. They’re linked to longevity, too: A 2013 study published in the Journal of Nutrition found a link between high polyphenol consumption and a 30 percent decrease in mortality in elderly adults.

Want to live long and prosper? Simply eat a plant-heavy diet, which ups your polyphenol ante significantly. You know you should be getting your five to 10 servings of fruits and vegetables a day, but Ansel suggests distributing your plant consumption evenly across every meal, rather than having a green juice for breakfast and calling it a day. “Keep in mind that some polyphenols don’t survive all that long in the body. Eating polyphenol-rich foods at every meal and snack provides the biggest bang by delivering a steady stream to your body all throughout the day,” she says.

But because polyphenols aren’t as essential to survival as, say, minerals, there’s no prescribed daily recommended intake. Lifestyle factors, however, can act as a guide. If you smoke or live in a heavily polluted area, Ansel says you need them even more “to help your body quash and protect against the additional free radicals that are attacking your cells.”

Turmeric - Can It Help You Lose Weight?

First ginger, then matcha, now turmeric. The yellow spice often found in Indian food (and ginger’s cousin, FYI) has officially reached celebrity status, making its way into lattes in just about every trendy café and on Instagram (see: #turmericlatte or #goldenlatte). And the fad is only growing. Case in point: News broke recently that a woman supposedly died after receiving an intravenous turmeric injection, according to Forbes. Yes, an injection.

Why the sudden infatuation with an ancient root? For years, holistic health practitioners have heralded turmeric for its anti-inflammatory properties, thanks to its active ingredient, curcumin. Studies have shown that the compound inhibits a number of molecules that play a role in inflammation in the body, and other studies have shown that inflammation has been linked to metabolic diseases, like obesity.

8 Sick Remedies That Actually Work - Scientifically!

We thought you might enjoy this amusing and informative video. Let us know what you think?

5 COMMON MEDICATIONS THAT CAN DAMAGE YOUR GUT AND MESS WITH DIGESTION.

You know that eating the wrong foods can leave your digestion and gut health in a pretty sorry state. (We’re looking at you, sugar and refined carbs.) But those aren’t the only things that can do a number on your GI tract.

Some medications and supplements could also have an impact—and leave you nauseous, crampy, or constipated as a result. Here’s a look at 5 common culprits, plus what you can do to safeguard your stomach if you have to take them.  

6 ANTI - INLAMMATORY POWERHOUSE FOODS

Chronic inflammation has been associated with an increased risk of arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, and cancer. Sure, some inflammation is good—the acute kind is a form of self-protection, your body's immune response to a cut or pathogens entering the body. 

Chronic inflammation, however, means that your body is constantly producing immune cells, which can damage the body. This harmful inflammation is a result of never-ending stress, being overweight, or a diet high in things like sugar, trans fats, and various toxins. But while the wrong diet promotes excessive inflammation, a diet rich in clean foods can help reduce it and its harmful effects on your body. The following foods in particular are anti-inflammatory powerhouses.

Cold-Water Fish

Salmon, black cod, sardines, and anchovies are full of anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids. Salmon is a particularly good choice—its rosy pink color comes from carotenoids, which also have anti-inflammatory properties. 

7 SPICES THAT COULD HELP YOU LIVE LONGER

SPICE UP YOUR LIFE

Avoid an overflowing medicine cabinet by tapping into the healing powers hiding inside your kitchen cabinet. 

More and more modern-day research identifies what ancient healers have known for centuries—spices hold amazing healing properties. With many overflowing with natural compounds that deter type 2 diabetes, one of the nation’s fastest-growing medical problems, spices could serve as an economical way to save lives. The best part? They’re delicious! Enjoy!

 

CORIANDER

Aromatic and medicinal, this spice has been shown to ease anxiety and help people sleep. It’s also an important spice for people living with type 2 diabetes. A 2011 study published in the Research Journal of Pharmaceutical, Biological and Chemical Sciences found coriander acted as a natural blood-sugar and cholesterol regulator.

Use It: Ground coriander seeds pair well with eggs, salad dressings, chili sauces, and guacamole.

 

FOODS WHICH MAY BE MORE NUTRITIOUS WHEN EATEN TOGETHER.

While there is no real evidence to show that food combining diets improve digestion or enhance weight loss, there are some foods that are best enjoyed together to get the best from their nutrients. 

Mix up your berries

Berries are bursting with cancer-fighting antioxidants - but if you really want to benefit, try mixing up the berries in your bowl. Research published in the Journal of Nutrition found that eating a variety of berries at the same time significantly increases their antioxidant activity.

Enjoy strawberries and a handful of blueberries for example, or buy frozen mixed berries to use in smoothies. Just don't use yoghurt - milk proteins bind to antioxidants and so can prevent them from being processed as efficiently.

BEST SPICES FOR HEALTHY COOKING

Have you ever felt like your healthy food was lacking something? 

Sure, grilled chicken breast and vegetables are great for you, but it can also leave a lot lacking in the taste department. If you're finding that your food is sitting on the side of bland a little more than you'd like, then you need to find the best spices. But the best in spices is as relative as the best in gas mileage — everyone says their spices are the best. That's why we got the help of culinary nutritionist Keisha Luke.  

CONFUSED ABOUT THOSE COCONUT OIL CLAIM? HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

There has been major buzz lately over everyone's favourite obsession: coconut oil. The fitness community raves about its fat-burning benefits, while beauty gurus preach about its hair- and skin-nourishing properties.  

But its health benefits? Those are being put into question with a new statement by the American Heart Association (AHA). The claims are raising some eyebrows and have people second-guessing, is coconut oil healthy? We break it down.

What The AHA Is Saying

According to the AHA, a diet high in saturated fat contributes to a higher risk of heart disease (think, high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack, etc). Nothing new coming from the AHA, however. Their statement breaks down older studies conducted on saturated fats and their link to high-cholesterol levels (their indicator of heart health).