WRITTEN BY STEPHANIE ROME | FEATURED ON:

Inflammation is a buzzword in the health and wellness world and anti-inflammatory diets are all the rage. You might be wondering what exactly does it mean to have inflammation, how does it affect you and why is it so bad. I’m going to try to clear some things up for you in today’s post!

Inflammation is not inherently bad. In fact, we actually need it! Acute inflammation is the body’s natural response to protect itself from infection and heal. When the body’s inflammatory response is prolonged, it can lead to chronic inflammation, which is a sign that the immune system is stuck in overdrive.

Ultimately, chronic inflammation wears down the immune system which is why it is often found to be at the root of many health issues and modern diseases we face as a culture today (i.e. accelerated aging, autoimmunity, IBS, arthritis, heart disease, obesity, diabetes, dementia and cancer).

Causes of chronic inflammation

Standard American diet – high in refined sugars, gluten, diary and hydrogenated oils
Gut health issues
Stress
Environmental toxins
Lack of sleep
Sedentary lifestyle

Chronic inflammation can show up in a variety of ways including, but not limited to, acne, allergies, weight gain, digestive issues, joint pain, fatigue and depression. However for some people, chronic inflammation can be festering beneath the surface but not manifesting observable symptoms and therefore they may not know it’s there! So, I suggest, at your annual physical, you ask your doctor to include C-reactive protein (CRP), a pro-inflammatory marker released by the liver, as part of your routine lab work.

If you experience any of the above warning signs or your CRP levels are higher than 1 mg/L, don’t worry just yet - food is one of your most powerful inflammation fighters. What you put at the end of your fork everyday will either feed the fire of inflammation or help to extinguish it. The best way to offset the damage and cool inflammation on a cellular level is to eat a diet full of anti-inflammatory foods.

An anti-inflammatory diet is basically comprised of foods that are widely regarded as healthy for you, including those high in fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytonutrients. Here is a list of my favorite foods for keeping chronic inflammation in check.

Inflammation-Fighting Food List:

Blueberries

Blueberries, and other dark-colored berries, contain a broad range of antioxidants, specifically resveratrol, gallic acid and proanthocyanidins, which protect you from oxidative stress and have been shown to reduce markers of inflammation. Anti-inflammatory prescription: Include half a cup of blueberries in your diet several times a week, like in this delicious smoothie.

Ginger

Ginger has been a prized food in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years owing to its powerful immune-boosting and cleansing properties. It is rich in inflammation-fighting compounds that have been shown to help with pain relief. Anti-inflammatory prescription: Add one teaspoon of dried ginger powder or one tablespoon of fresh ginger root to your meals a few times a week, like in this Paleo Porridge recipe. Another way to use fresh ginger root is grated and added to sauces and salad dressings, like in this Steak Salad with Ginger-Wasabi Dressing.

Cacao

Cacao is unroasted so it contains up to twice the antioxidants of traditional cocoa which is made from roasted beans. Cacao is a rich dietary source of the mineral magnesium and magnesium deficiency is strongly linked with inflammatory conditions. Anti-inflammatory prescription: Eat a square of 85% dark chocolate a day (that’s right!) or, better yet, use raw cacao powder and cacao nibs for the antioxidant benefits without the sugar, like in these recipes: Avocado and Cacao Smoothie, Superfood Hot Chocolate and Chocolate Paleo Protein Balls.

Turmeric

Curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which help with everything from pain relief to managing chronic disease. Studies have shown curcumin to be more effective in reducing inflammation and pain than aspirin and ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin)! Anti-inflammatory prescription: Add ½ teaspoon of dried turmeric powder or ½ inch of the fresh root to your diet a few times a week by making this Paleo Porridge for breakfast or this Indian-spiced Dal for dinner. Combining turmeric with a little pinch of black pepper may significantly increase the intestinal absorption of turmeric. If you're looking to use turmeric to fight inflammation in conditions such as menstrual pain, joint pain, etc., the amount you get from food may not be enough. In this case, you can take turmeric daily in supplement form.

Green tea

Green tea is rich in anti-inflammatory polyphenols, particularly EGCG, which is a powerful antioxidant known for inhibiting cancer cell growth and reducing risk for heart disease. Anti-inflammatory prescription: Replace one of your daily coffees with matcha (I like Pique Tea Sun Goddess matcha) or try cooled green tea as the liquid base of your smoothie.

Leafy green veggies

Leafy greens again? Yep. Without a doubt they’re always included in my list of favorite foods because of their incredible nutrient density! Super rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, A, E, as well as tons of other vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients, leafy greens protect against oxidative stress caused by free radical damage. There are lots of great ones to choose from - spinach, collard greens, swiss chard, watercress, dandelion greens, mustard greens, etc. - so mix it up each week! Anti-inflammatory prescription: Aim to get in two servings of raw or cooked leafy greens per day. Try these Chicken and Quinoa Lettuce Wraps or this Low Sugar Green Smoothie.

Cruciferous veggies

Cruciferous veggies include broccoli, cauliflower, kale, bok choy, cabbage and brussels sprouts among others and are invaluable to an anti-inflammatory diet. The flavonoids and carotenoids work together to battle chronic inflammation and reduce cancer risk. Anti-inflammatory prescription: Include a serving of cruciferous veggies a day. They can be delicious like in this Asparagus and Watercress Soup.

Wild caught fish

Wild caught fish like salmon, mackerel, sardines, trout and halibut are rich in essential fatty acids, especially omega-3s, which are potent anti-inflammatory substances. Your body can do so many amazing things but unfortunately can’t make its own omega-3s so you have to get them through food and/or supplementation. Anti-inflammatory prescription: Eat a 4-6 ounce serving of wild caught fatty fish 2-3 times a week. Try these Salmon Collard Green Wraps.

Fermented foods

Gut problems like leaky gut and dysbiosis (microbial imbalance) activate the immune system and set off an inflammatory cascade in the body. Your gut microbes team up with immune cells to boost their overall defense, protecting you against bad bacteria and other pathogens and toxins. Introducing good bacteria into your gut via fermented foods will boost your gut’s defenses and reduce chronic inflammation. Fermented foods are lacto-fermented, raw and contain live cultures and enzymes. Some great ones are sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha, kefir and yogurt. Anti-inflammatory prescription: Include at least one of these foods into your diet each day, i.e. add a forkfull of homemade kimchi to your lunch bowl or sip on 4 oz. of kombucha for an afternoon pick-me-up.

Coconut oil

Coconut oil has so many health benefits (boosts metabolism, balances hormones, anti-microbial to name a few) and high levels of antioxidants for healing inflammation is one of them! Anti-inflammatory prescription: Include at least 1 tablespoon of coconut oil or MCT oil to your diet each day. Try adding to your smoothie as a source of good fat to keep you full all morning. Saute and roast your veggies in it. It may sound weird, but eat a spoonful after lunch to quell a sugar craving (I’ve done this too many times to count). You can even use it as a moisturizer!

There you have it – using food as medicine to douse the fire of chronic inflammation! I picked out a few of my favorites, however adding a wide variety of nutrient-dense foods is important for an effective anti-inflammatory diet. In addition to diet, be sure you’re also focusing on your gut health, managing stress, optimizing sleep, exercising, and minimizing toxins in your food, home and personal care products.

Everything You Need to Know about Inflammation (+ 10 Foods to Fight It)