The inflammatory foods should be on the list of the main things to avoid if you have chronic diseases. Chronic inflammation is the cause of these diseases progressing and reaching this level, evolving into more severe ones. Fibromyalgia, autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and multiple sclerosis, in addition to cancer, are some of the diseases that are the product of a body that is being exposed to constant inflammation.
Foods that cause inflammation are one of the most important causes that cause a disease like the ones mentioned above to persist and increase in degree causing death
According to statistics from the World Health Organization, around 12.9 million people worldwide died of some type of cardiovascular disease in 2004. Each year, the World Cancer Research Fund estimates that about eight million people died of cancer.
Heart disease and cancer, the deadly manifestation of chronic inflammation, are expected to remain the leading causes of death in developed countries for many years to come.
But study after study shows that the risk of heart disease and cancer is modifiable by our lifestyles, which include the foods we choose to eat each day.
With every bite we take, we are either balancing the pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory compounds in the body, or tipping the scales to an extreme.
10 inflammatory foods you shouldn't eat if you have fibromyalgia
To shift the balance in your favor, other than just incorporating more natural anti-inflammatory foods into your diet, it is also equally important to avoid or reduce foods that cause inflammation.
Here are the ten foods that set the stage for inflammatory diseases such as fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, thyroid diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, and you should consider it if you suffer from chronic fatigue, which, although it is not a disease itself, is commonly the product of an inflamed organism.
1. Sugar is one of the most addictive inflammatory foods
Pro-inflammatory agent: excessive sugar intake causes tooth decay and has been linked to an increased risk of obesity, inflammation, and chronic diseases such as metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. Recently, sugar, as well as dairy products are the causes of acne.
You find it in: Sugary drinks like sodas, fruit drinks and punch are some of the main sources of sugars that many have overlooked. Did you know that drinking a can of Coca-Cola is the same as eating ten cubes of sugar?
Other obvious sugar-laden foods to avoid or at least limit include cakes, desserts, sweets, and snacks.
And when you're looking for sugar in the ingredient list, keep in mind that sugar has many names: corn syrup, dextrose, fructose, golden syrup, maltose, sorghum syrup, and sucrose are some of the creative names used to confuse the consumer.
Sugar Substitute: Do you have a sweet tooth? Opt for natural sweeteners like stevia, honey or molasses to sweeten drinks and foods modestly. The natural sugars found in fresh or dried fruits and canned fruits without added sugar are also excellent options.
Not only do they give you the sweetness you crave, fruits also supply you with vitamins, antioxidants, and fibers that you won't find in sugary foods and drinks.
Dates, figs, persimmons, kiwis, tangerines and various types of berries are some of the natural healthy snacks you can go for if you want something sweet on your palate.
2. Common cooking oils cause inflammation
Pro-Inflammatory Agent: Common vegetable cooking oils used in many homes and restaurants have very high omega-6 fatty acids and sadly low omega-3 fats.
A diet that consists of a highly unbalanced omega-6 to omega-3, promotes inflammation and engenders inflammatory diseases such as heart disease, autoimmune diseases, and cancer.
You find them in: polyunsaturated vegetable oils, such as grapeseed, cotton, safflower, corn, canola and sunflower oil These industrial vegetable oils are also commonly used to prepare the most processed foods and takeaways.
Vegetable Oil Substitute: Replace your omega-6 saturated cooking oils with macadamia oil, extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, or other edible oils with a higher balance of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid ratio.
Macadamia oil, for example, has a near one-to-one ratio of omega-6: 3 fats, and is also rich in oleic acid, a heart-healthy monounsaturated fatty acid.
3. Trans fats of the most inflammatory products
Pro-inflammatory agent: Trans fatty acids are known for their double whammy: they increase the levels of "bad" cholesterol, while reducing the levels of "good" cholesterol.
But that is not all they can do. They have also been found to be inflammatory foods that promote obesity and insulin resistance, setting the stage for degenerative diseases to take place.
You find them in: fried foods, fast foods, commercial baked goods and those prepared with partially hydrogenated oil, margarine and / or vegetable shortening.
Keep in mind that items that list 0g trans fats on the label may still contain a certain amount of these toxic fats. This is because in the US, the government allows items containing less than 0.5 g of trans fat to be declared free of trans fat.
Commercially prepared peanut butter is a good example. Your best bet is to read the ingredient list and make sure that partially hydrogenated vegetable oil or shortening is not used.
Substitute for trans fats: Look for alternative products that do not contain trans fats, and do not have partially hydrogenated oil or shortening in the ingredient list.
When in doubt, all commercially prepared foods are assumed to contain trans-fat unless otherwise noted.
4. Dairy products on the list of the main inflammatory
Pro-inflammatory agent: As much as 60% of the world's population cannot digest milk. In fact, researchers think that being able to digest milk after infancy is abnormal, rather than the other way around.
Milk is also a common allergen that can trigger inflammatory responses, such as an upset stomach, constipation, diarrhea, skin rashes, acne, hives, and breathing difficulties in susceptible people.
You find them in: Milk and dairy products are as pervasive as foods that contain partially hydrogenated oil or omega-3 deficient vegetable oil.
Aside from the obvious dairy products like butter and cheese, foods with hidden dairy content include boxed breads, cookies, cakes, cream sauces, and cereals.
Scanning the ingredient list is still the safest way to search for milk. They are one of the strongest inflammatory foods that exist although many people are not aware of it.
Dairy Substitute: Kefir and unsweetened yogurt are acceptable in moderation for those who are not allergic to milk. They are easier on the stomach, as the lactose and proteins in milk have been broken down by beneficial bacteria and / or yeast.
5. Farm meat
Pro-Inflammatory Agent: Commercially produced cattle meats are fed grains such as soybeans and corn, a diet high in inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids and low in anti-inflammatory omega-3 fats.
Due to the small and cramped living conditions, these animals also gain excess fat and end up with high saturated fats. Worse still, to make them grow faster and avoid getting sick, they are also injected with hormones and fed antibiotics.
The result is a piece of meat that you and I shouldn't be eating.
You can find it in: Unless otherwise noted, most, if not all, beef, pork, and poultry can be found in supermarkets and restaurants that stock feedlots.
Free-range meat substitute: Organic free-range animals that are fed a natural diet, such as herbs instead of grains and hormones, contain more omega-3 fats. They have more room to move freely, are also slimmer, and contain less saturated fat.
Your immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs. Together they help the body fight infections and other diseases. When germs such as bacteria or viruses invade your body, they attack and multiply. This is called an infection. The infection causes the disease that makes you sick. Your immune system protects you from the disease by fighting off the germs.