Doctors are beginning to recognize the power of good nutrition in promoting good health as we get older. Increasingly doctors are recognizing that inflammation may be at the root of many of the illnesses that affect us as we age.
Inflammation can be the body's response to what it experiences as infection, irritation, or injury. When inflammation is present there is redness, swelling and oftentimes pain. While we experience these as uncomfortable states they actually are a signal that the body is working to correct the problem that is at the root of the inflammation.
This is localized inflammation which stays in the area of infection, injury or irritation for a time and then has a specific end. The discomfort felt is a direct product of the healing process taking place.
The inflammation which is a precursor to major illnesses like cancer and heart disease is different than the localized inflammation discussed earlier. It is an abnormal type of inflammation which extends beyond the area of the body that many have initially experienced the injury. Once this process begins it can unleash some of the immune system's strongest weapons. Weapons that are normally reserved for localized inflammation.
These weapons can and do damage healthy tissue just as if it were an invading force from outside the body. And since they are some of the strongest enzymes and substances that the body has available to it, they can have a serious affect on healthy tissue.
This unchecked inflammation can spark an autoimmune response in susceptible people. Autoimmunity is characterized as the body's immune system attacks attacking its own healthy tissue. Some of the diseases that are autoimmune in nature are: Type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and asthma.
The good news about abnormal inflammation which is at the root of autoimmunity is that much of it can be avoided with paying closer attention to our diets.
But exactly how does diet affect inflammation? Most of the information surrounding inflammation and diet deal with how our body uses fats. Our bodies need two substances that are parts of polyunsaturated fatty acids that we ingest. We are not able to create these substances on our own; it is 'essential' that we get them from our diets. Hence the term EFA or essential fatty acids.
We need types omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. We need to ingest them often and in the proper ratio for optimum use by the body. We can readily get omega-6 from seeds and their oils. They also accumulate in the fatty tissue of animals that are fed grains.
Omega-3 fatty acids are a lot less easy to get. They exist in low concentrations in leafy green vegetables, some seeds and nuts, some vegetable oils like soy and canola and in oily fish like wild salmon and bluefish. Grass grazed beef as opposed to beef that is grain fed will also contain omega-3s.
In earlier times the ratio of omega-6s to omega-3s were roughly equal but due to the preponderance of blended refined cooking oils and the fattening of grazing animals, the typical American diet is now one in which there is an overabundance of omerga-6 fatty acids as compared with omega-3s.
This unbalanced condition sets us up for a pro-inflammation environment in the body with accompanying autoimmune response in susceptible people.
Additionally, trans fats, which we will discuss in part 2 of this article are fats that we should avoid at all costs in our diet.
While avoiding foods that are pro-inflammatory in the diet good supplementation can help us build up our immune systems in support of good health.
One supplement that we have heard positively affects the immune system is Immunitril(tm). Immunitril(tm) is available from better online stores like the Bodestore.com and www.Amazon.com. It contains minerals, vitamins as well as anti-oxidants to help our bodies to build strong immune systems.
In Part 2 of this series we discuss trans fats and what an anti-inflammatory diet looks like. Until then consider incorporating these timely nutrition tips into your diet to help enhance your life and overall health.
This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on a health or fitness program.
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About the Author:| Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on a health or fitness program. |
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