Inflammation is your body’s way of healing itself, whether you have an infection, injury or some sort of toxin invading your body. But when you suffer from chronic inflammation, you may be putting yourself at risk.
“Inflammation is part of the body’s defense mechanism and can be good or bad,” said Melissa Keeney, RDN, a registered dietitian with St. Vincent’s Medical Center. “Chronic inflammation is when your body is in an inflammatory state for a long time and that can lead to debilitating and life-changing conditions.”
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While acute inflammation may cause redness, swelling, pain or stiffness (think sprained ankle), chronic inflammation has more subtle symptoms, including:
Chronic inflammation has been connected with a number of serious diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, asthma, Alzheimer’s disease and more.
Chronic inflammation can result from things we put into our body like alcohol or tobacco, but it can also be the result of our diet.
Keeney said the following foods may cause inflammation:
“It’s important to note that just because a food or drink can cause inflammation does not mean people need to avoid it completely,” she said, adding that “aiming to include more fresh foods and less processed foods can help decrease inflammation in the body.”
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Just as some foods can increase inflammation, Keeney said others are known to decrease it. These are mostly plant foods and unsaturated fats containing compounds that boost one’s health.
She offered the following food suggestions and dining tips to decrease inflammation:
“Remember – an all-or-nothing approach may backfire and constantly stressing over what you’re are eating can cause inflammation as well!” Keeney advised. “Aim for small, manageable changes with meals and snacks. Other ideas include exercising regularly, getting enough sleep and having a mindful practice such as meditation or yoga.”
Hartford HealthCare Medical & Surgical Weight Loss takes a uniquely holistic approach to surgical weight loss. One that offers patients thorough care not just from physicians and surgeons, but also from a team of professionals looking out for your nutritional, physical and emotional well-being.
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