What Are the Benefits of an Anti-Inflammatory Diet?

What Are the Benefits of an Anti-Inflammatory Diet?

An anti-inflammatory diet is designed to reduce inflammation in your body. According to the Diet Channel, inflammation is present in autoimmune conditions like lupus and arthritis. It can also be present in conjunction with injury and illness. Diets designed to fight inflammation are those that seek to balance omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids in the body. Eating more omega-3 fatty acids in the form of fish, fish oils and certain nut oils bring this ratio into a healthy balance that can help to fight inflammation. Fruits, vegetables and grains high in vitamins and antioxidants are also an essential part of fighting inflammation and are staples of the anti-inflammatory diet. You should also avoid saturated fats, trans fats and hydrogenated oils in order to minimize inflammation and experience the benefits associated with the anti-inflammatory diet.



As with any diet, check with a physician to determine whether it's right for your condition.

Reduction of Pain Associated with Inflammation

Many inflammatory conditions like arthritis are extremely painful. According to the Cleveland Clinic, inflammation is the body's protective response to injury and infection; however, in the cases of inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, this protective response goes into overdrive and begins to cause damage to body tissue. The result can be a variety of uncomfortable symptoms including swelling, stiffness, pain, redness, loss of joint function, fatigue and headaches. Reducing inflammation with an anti-inflammatory diet can help to relieve many of these symptoms.

Improved Heart Health

According to the American Heart Association, the presence of inflammation in the body appears to correlate to increased incidence of stroke and heart attack. It may also play a role in the build up of plaque in the arteries, known as antherosclerosis. A protein called C-reactive protein is present at increased levels in the body during cases of inflammation, and blood tests for C-reactive protein are now being used as a method of assessing cardiovascular disease. Reducing inflammation through an anti-inflammatory diet could help to minimize the amount of plaque that is deposited in the arteries and bring C-reactive protein readings down to healthy levels.

Improved Nutrition

The anti-inflammatory diet is a healthy diet that limits harmful fats and increases intake of healthy foods like antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables. Any time you limit saturated fat and improve the nutritional profile of the foods you eat, you are taking steps towards better health and nutrition. Improving nutrition with an antioxidant rich anti-inflammatory diet can lead to improved energy, increased resistance to illness and better overall health.

source : livestrong.com