Kaitlyn D’Onofrio

DocwireNews

<p>Inflammation is the body’s response to foreign objects that may cause it harm. On the outside, inflammation often manifests through redness and swelling, but inflammation can happen inside the body, too. In some cases, your <a href="https://www.docwirenews.com/docwire-pick/cardiology-picks/mediterranean-diet-hepatic-fat/">diet</a> can contribute to inflammation. You can also try an effective supplement like this Artemisinin Extract which is <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Artemisinin-HPLC-Standardized-Percent-milligrams/dp/B01N7FY4S4">made with natural ingredients</a> supports healthy response against inflammation, swelling, and pain throughout the body.</p>
<p>Here are some <a href="https://www.docwirenews.com/docwire-pick/organic-food-reduces-cancer/">foods</a> that could lead to or worsen inflammation.</p>
<h3>Sugar And Its Relatives</h3>
<p><a href="https://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/arthritis-diet/foods-to-avoid-limit/food-ingredients-and-inflammation-2.php">Sugar</a> can cause inflammation by releasing cytokines, or inflammatory messengers, into the body. The Arthritis Foundation recommends against the intake of processed sugars. <a href="https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/interactivenutritionfactslabel/factsheets/sugars.pdf">Sugar</a> goes by many other names, including fructose, galactose, glucose, sucrose, lactose, maltose, and others</p>
<p>Some foods—like fruit—have naturally occurring sugar. Certain nutrition labels may distinguish between naturally occurring sugar and <a href="https://www.docwirenews.com/docwire-pick/home-page-picks/baltimore-passes-law-to-ban-sugary-drinks-from-kids-menus/">added sugar</a>, so read nutrition labels carefully.</p>
<h3>Trans Fats</h3>
<p>Trans fat (also known as trans-unsaturated fat) is considered the &#8216;worst&#8217; type of dietary fat. The consumption of trans fat has been linked to inflammation, which increases the risk of chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. Trans fat also increases the body’s amount of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (the “bad” kind) and reduces its high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (the “good” kind). Trans fat is found in many <a href="https://www.docwirenews.com/docwire-pick/home-page-picks/ultraprocessed-foods-increase-mortality-risk/">fast food items such as French fries and other fried foods</a>, as well as sweets, and other typically known unhealthy foods.</p>
<p>Not all fats are created equal, however. <em><a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-truth-about-fats-bad-and-good">Harvard Health Publishing</a></em> describes trans fat as the worst one, while saturated fat falls somewhere in the middle and monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are the “good” fats. A diet with a combination of saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fats may have the most benefits. Saturated fat can be found in foods such as red meat, cheese, whole milk, and certain processed foods. While not considered as harmful as trans fat, saturated fat has still been linked to inflammation and other poor outcomes and should only be consumed in moderation. The good fats can be found in olive, peanut, canola, safflower, and sunflower oils; most nuts; and avocados. These foods, too, should only be consumed in moderation, as too much can have adverse impacts.</p>
<h2>Refined Carbohydrates</h2>
<p>Refined carbohydrates are “<a href="https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-eating/choosing-healthy-carbs.htm">simple carbs</a>” that contain little to no nutritional value. The body digests these foods quickly, and due to their high glycemic index, consumption of simple carbs causes blood sugar levels to spike. Once inside the body, these carbs enter the bloodstream as sugars. Eating refined carbohydrates can leave you feeling hungry again quickly after eating as well as increase your cravings for more sugary carbohydrates.</p>
<p>Refined carbohydrates typically include “white” carbs, such as white bread, pasta, flour, and rice; however, pizza dough, many desserts, breakfast cereals, and other foods are also considered refined carbohydrates.</p>
<h2>What Foods Should I Avoid to Reduce Inflammation?</h2>
<p>When we get right down to it, use common sense. Food items that you may regard as &#8220;junk food&#8221; are likely the kinds of things you should only consume infrequently if avoiding or limiting inflammation is the goal. Unsurprisingly, it&#8217;s a lot of the &#8220;fun&#8221; stuff. Here are some foods to limit or avoid to reduce inflammation:</p>
<ul>
<li>Soda, “fruit” juices with added sugar, and other sugar-sweetened beverages</li>
<li>Pastries</li>
<li>Desserts</li>
<li>Fast food/fried foods</li>
<li>Sugary breakfast cereals</li>
<li>Candy</li>
<li>Red meat</li>
<li>Processed meats</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>What Foods are <a href="https://www.eatright.org/health/wellness/preventing-illness/what-is-an-anti-inflammatory-diet">Helpful</a> to Fight Inflammation?</h2>
<p>Some foods have anti-inflammatory properties and can be helpful to reduce inflammation. Some of these foods <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/foods-that-fight-inflammation">include</a>:</p>
<ul>
<li>Leafy greens like spinach and kale</li>
<li>Fruits including strawberries and blueberries</li>
<li>Foods with healthy fats, such as salmon</li>
<li>Nuts like walnuts</li>
<li>Olive oil</li>
<li>Tomatoes</li>
</ul>
<p>Some research also supports the effects of a vegetarian diet to reduce inflammation. A <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5557559/">2017 study</a> published in <em>Diabetology &amp; Metabolic Syndrome</em> concluded that “exposure to animal foods may favor an intestinal environment which could trigger systemic inflammation and insulin resistance-dependent metabolic disorders.” An additional study that appeared in <em><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5557559/">Public Health Nutrition</a></em> observed that patients who followed a vegetarian diet for two years had lower serum concentration levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein.</p>
<p>In addition to diet, some <a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320233.php#anti-inflammatory-diet-tips">lifestyle modifications</a> can also reduce inflammation:</p>
<ul>
<li>Get adequate sleep</li>
<li>Exercising regularly (at least 30 to 60 minutes of activity a few days a week)</li>
<li>Maintaining a healthy body weight and eating an appropriate amount of calories each day</li>
<li>Drinking water</li>
</ul>


Nataliya Uboha, MD, PhD

Personalized Care in Gastric and Esophageal Cancers: Biomarkers, Diagnosis, and Treatment Approaches

GI Cancer

Cecilia Brown

REZILIENT1 Trial of Zipalertinib in NSCLC Meets Primary Endpoint

EGFR+ NSCLC

Laura Litwin

New American Heart Association Scientific Statement Outlines Importance of Palliative Care Integration for Survivors of Stroke, Caregivers

Stroke

Latest News

Foods That Cause Inflammation

Diet

Inflammation is the body’s response to foreign objects that may cause it harm. On the outside, inflammation often manifests through redness and swelling, but inflammation ...

About Us

Editorial Policy

Advertising

eNewsletters

Contribute

Contact Us

MashupMD

Blood Cancers Today

Cancer Nursing Today

GU Oncology Now

Urban Health Today

Bile Duct Cancer

Colorectal Cancer

Gastroesophageal Cancer

Gastric Cancer

GEP-NETs

GIST

Liver Cancer

Pancreatic Cancer

GI Oncology Now

Anemia

Deep Vein Thrombosis

Essential Thrombocythemia

Hemophilia

Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Myelofibrosis

Myeloproliferative Neoplasms

Polycythemia Vera

Pulmonary Embolism

Sickle Cell Disease

Thrombocytopenia

Thrombophilia

Thrombosis

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Venous Thromboembolism

von Willebrand Disease

Heme Today

Acute Kidney Injury

ADPKD

Anemia and Kidney Disease

Chronic Kidney Disease

COVID-19 and Kidney Disease

Diabetes and Hypertension

End-Stage Renal Disease

Gout

Hyperkalemia

IgAN

Kidney Transplantation

Metabolic Acidosis

Nephrology Times

Mesothelioma

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Small Cell Lung Cancer

Squamous Cell Lung Carcinoma

Lung Cancers Today

Atherosclerotic Disease

Atrial Fibrillation

Heart Failure

Hypertension

Interventional Cardiology

Lipid Management

Practice Tips With Dr. Lichaa

Preventive Cardiology

Cardiology

Breast Cancer

Gynecologic Cancer

Head and Neck Cancer

Skin Cancer

Oncology

Sleep

Urology

Diabetes

Ophthalmology

— Demodex Blepharitis

Neurology

Rheumatology

Gastroenterology

Pulmonology

Infectious Diseases

— HIV

Health and Wellness

Lupus

Future of Medicine

Orthopedics

Pharmacology

Career News

More

Conferences

CardioNerds

The Sleep Source With Dr. Morse

The Oncology Brothers

Rheumatology Rounds With Dr. Maheswaranathan

Healthcare Unfiltered

The Fellow on Call

Partners

Hurricanes & Health Care

Career Center

Expert Interviews

Subscribe