Inflammation is the body’s way to protect from infection, injury, or illness. Characterized by heat, redness, swelling, pain, and loss of function, it is not a disease itself, but rather an indication that there is a disease process occurring in the body. We are most aware of inflammation during acute processes such as twisting an ankle or an insect bite. The immune system, however, may also create misdirected inflammatory responses towards itself in auto-immune diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, and lupus), and most chronic diseases (such as cancer, heart disease, and allergies) also carry a component of inflammation.

Many anti-inflammatory medications (i.e. NSAIDS such as Aspirin and Celebrex; steroids such as Cortisone and Prednisone) cause unwanted side-effects such as stomach ulcers, decreased liver function, decreased bone density, and lowered immunity. Taking these drugs for long periods of time is inadvisable since they simply mask the symptoms of disease without actually treating the cause.

Since the foods we eat affect how we feel, eliminating foods that cause inflammation (pro-inflammatory foods) can be as effective as drugs at managing the symptoms of inflammation without creating side-effects as we search for the cause of disease. Eliminating pro-inflammatory foods will decrease inflammation, pain, and the possibility of developing chronic disease in the future. With the motto, “everything in moderation”, here is a list of foods to limit if you are suffering from an inflammatory condition or want to prevent one in the future:

• Red meat, dairy, and eggs
• Refined (white) sugar
• Plants from the Nightshade family
  • Potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers
• Caffeine
• Alcohol
• Prepackaged, processed and junk foods
• Deep fried foods
• White flour, pasta, and rice
• Aspartame and MSG

You may also benefit from adding foods to your diet that decrease both acute and chronic  symptoms of inflammation:

• Omega 3 essential fatty acids
  • cold water, wild-caught fish; fish oils; walnuts
    
• Room temperature (unheated) olive oil
• Ground flax seeds
• Steamed vegetables
• Legumes
• Coconut oil