What if we told you that the answer to your inflammation and pain doesn’t lie with your pharmacist? It lies with anti-inflammatory diet plans.
Sneha was diagnosed with hypothyroidism due to Hashimoto's 4 years back. No matter how frequently her doctors changed the dose of the levothyroxine and pain meds, her inflammation and pain followed her like her shadow.
Then she found a functional medicine doctor who informed her about an anti-inflammatory diet as a part of her thyroid treatment. Once she became more selective of what she ate, her complaints vanished into thin air.
Off-late, she’s not only more active, but she has also lost around 5 kilos within the past 3 months due to her ability to exercise more and lead a more active lifestyle.
Friends, our hypothyroidism, gut issues, inflammatory issues and energy levels are all connected. Functional medicine doctors at Jeevam Health have shown that inflammatory triggers are almost always hidden in our refrigerators.
What are the top foods that cause inflammation?
If you want to enjoy a pain-free and energetic life, here are some inflammatory foods to avoid –
- Dairy -Refined carbs (common biscuits, white flour, sugar, desserts)
- Carbonated drinks (artificial beverages and overly sweetened drinks)
- Red meat
- Processed meat
- Saturated fat (shortening, lard, dalda, butter)
An anti-inflammatory diet includes foods that have the power to fight swelling. The most common ones you can find in the market and include in your diet daily are –
- Tomatoes
- Leafy greens such as kale, spinach, amaranth and neem
- Olive oil and coconut oil
- Berries and citrus fruits
- Fresh fatty fish
What are the benefits of avoiding foods that cause inflammation?
Anti-inflammatory diets help reduce the discomfort that comes with chronic inflammatory diseases. Whether it's Hashimoto's, Chron's, Celiac or rheumatoid arthritis, avoiding all foods that cause inflammation has shown a significant decrease in the inflammation markers in individuals.
Apples, leafy greens, citrus fruits and most berries are rich in natural antioxidants. It helps eliminate toxins from the gut and other systems. Continuing an anti-inflammatory diet helps reduce the risks of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.
Interestingly, coffee (in moderation and after consultation with your functional medicine doctor) can reduce your inflammation markers as well.
What are the types of anti-inflammatory diets?
The two most popular anti-inflammatory diets are –
- Mediterranean
- DASH diet
Both of these work since they tell you exactly which inflammatory foods to avoid. They include fat-free or low-fat foods, whole grains, and lots of fresh vegetables, fruits, legumes and nuts.
How does avoiding Foods that cause inflammation help manage chronic inflammation?
Steering clear of Foods that cause inflammation can reduce the levels of inflammatory cytokines (molecules that mediate an inflammatory reaction). Once the inflammatory cytokines are in control, the individual can enjoy –
- Reduced swelling
- Decreased pain
- Increased joint mobility
- Diminished tenderness
- Reduced gut problems Diet management is a simple but powerful tool that can help you avoid the triggers of inflammation. Simple changes in your daily nutrition can help you lead a happier and healthier life.
Let’s find out what’s causing those joint pains and swellings and zero in on the inflammatory foods to avoid.
What’s the proper way to begin an anti-inflammatory diet?
You cannot begin any type of elimination diet without consulting a doctor and dietician. If you have nutritional deficiencies, you will need to take supplements before you begin eliminating food items from your diet.
You have to plan every step since your diet is an integral part of your treatment for Hashimoto's, rheumatoid arthritis or Celiac disease. Never start an anti-inflammatory diet on your own without completing proper nutrition profiles and consulting a doctor.
Find out which inflammatory foods to avoid by talking to our functional medicine doctors and dieticians. Become more active, drop the extra kilos and enjoy a higher quality of life without increasing the dosage of your meds. Talk to a Jeevam Health expert today.
