Inflammation is right there with sugar regarding scary wellness words. You have probably heard the list of ailments it’s tied to: sleeping problems, gut issues, skin problems, arthritis, diabetes, and even life-threatening condition, like heart disease. Inflammation isn’t all bad. Inflammation is the way our immune system responds to an injury perpetrated against our cells, whether it’s a blow to our body or infection in our blood. Inflammation signals the release of white blood cells (leukocytes) that help clean up an injury site by taking away pathogens and signal to the body that something’s wrong.

Sometimes, inflammation can spread out of control and cause pain and swelling even when there’s no immediate injury to stabilize. There’s so much evidence to suggest that eating the wrong kind of foods can send out the inflammatory cavalry when there is no invading pathogens or injury. For example: sugar and/or saturated fat, when consumed in excess, have been tagged as substances that push the immune system into over-activity.

The good news is that we can eat our way to better health, as long as we’re filling up on the right foods.

Tip #1: Leafy Greens and Healthy Fats

What is the most important food for lowering inflammation? [Read more…]