Brain Foods That Also Fight Inflammation

Chronic inflammation plays a significant role in seven of the top ten leading causes of death. The logical conclusion is that if you can keep chronic inflammation at a minimum, you have a good chance of keeping the Grim Reaper from paying you a visit for quite some time.

The blood test c reactive protein is a great indicator of chronic inflammation. The normal range limit is below 3 mg/dL. In my opinion, c reactive protein should be part of a routine annual blood chemistry panel, but it is not. Maybe someday soon it will be.

Chronic inflammation is a hallmark of many diseases, including; obesity, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, cancer and immune system disorders.

Acute inflammation is a normal part of your body's response against bacteria, viruses and fungi, as well as part of the healing process after an injury or overexertion. This is not the type of inflammation that I am referring to. Chronic, long-term inflammation is the type of inflammation that increases your risk for premature death.

Chronic inflammation is also very closely related to leaky gut syndrome. Leaky gut is when the tight junction pores in your intestine open up larger than they should be. When these larger molecules get into your bloodstream, chronic inflammation can be triggered, which can eventually lead to immune system disorders, such as Hashimoto's thyroid disease.

Chronic inflammation can also lead to reduced brain volume, reduced brain function and eventually dementia.

Restful sleep, especially stage 4 of the sleep cycle can help to detoxify the brain and to heal the body.

The Food Connection:

Some major foods that increase chronic inflammation include; sugar, high fructose corn syrup, artificial trans fats, processed vegetable and seed oils, refined carbohydrates, excessive alcohol, processed meats and oxidized omega-6 fats.

Some of the top anti-inflammatory foods include; garlic, strawberries, blueberries, cherries, almonds, walnuts, olive oil, spinach, kale, salmon, mackerel, sardines, cloves, ginger, rosemary and turmeric.

A ketogenic diet is also a way to reduce chronic inflammation. This type of diet is high in healthy fats and low in sugar and carbohydrates and is a topic that I have written on in the past and will do so again in the near future.

See this link for more information on a ketogenic diet.

Recent research from the University of California San Francisco uncovered a potential mechanism that helps explain why the ketogenic diet so effective in reducing inflammation in the brain.

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