Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Is Inflammation The Cause of All Diseases?

I’ve been reading a lot of articles today stating all disease is caused by chronic low grade inflammation. The articles listed every disease & disorder you could think of including diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and stroke. As we go through life our body fights one infection after another causing inflammation. And when we eat the wrong types of food it causes low grade inflammation. This chronic low grade inflammation can also be inherited or have genetic factors. The body responds by increasing inflammatory cytokines which leads to increased levels of insulin resistance. This interrupts the digestive process of glucose. The body then converts the excess glucose into fat storage. Fat storage in turn increases the inflammatory cytokines and a vicious cycle is created. This is why a lot of people have trouble losing weight and develop degenerative health.

What’s the solution?
Eating healthy foods will increase our immunity and protect us from both inflammation from infections and inflammation from eating the wrong types of food. The wrong types of food include processed and highly refined foods like; white sugar, white flour, hydrogenated oils and other bad fats including deep fried and rancid oils and other foods that cause an acidic condition.

What kinds of foods are anti-inflammatory?
Anti-inflammatory foods include high levels of vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E. Choose dark green leafy vegetables, green and brightly colored fresh vegetables and fruit like these:
Spinach, kale, collard greens, broccoli, cauliflower, bok choy, cabbage, brussels sprouts, cayenne peppers, winter squash, carrots, shitake mushroom, sweet potato, avocado, olives.
Blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, kiwi, peaches, mangoes, cantaloupe, apples, tart cherries, papaya.
Turmeric, ginger, oregano, rosemary, green tea, red onions, garlic, flaxseeds, hemp seeds, chia seeds, sesame seeds, kelp, almonds, almond butter, hazelnuts, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, evening primrose oil.
Extra Virgin olive oil, coconut oil, omega- 3 fatty acids.

What I find very interesting is these foods are the exact foods I have been using to cure my diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

11th day: Phase 2, Day 9: Wednesday 2-10-10,
Weight: 198.0 lbs, -0 / - 16.0 total, BMI: 31.01
8:20 am, BP: 122/92, P: 94, BS: 192
Breakfast: None
11:00 am Hcg
2:05 pm: BP: 134/93, P: 95, BS: 176
Lunch: 2:05 pm: ½ glass green smoothie (Pineapple, Banana, apple, grapes, spinach, kale)
7:00 pm, BP: 125/93, P: 87, BS: 173
Dinner: Broccoli Mushroom Salad (Broccoli, mushroom, red onion, raisins, sunflower seeds, Balsamic vinegar, olive oil, paprika, salt, pepper)
12:30 am BP:135/85, P:87, BS: 184