By Dr. Freddie Ulan, DC, CCN
There is much science and massive clinical evidence showing the close connection between diet and inflammation. Without getting into technical terms of biochemistry which can obfuscate understanding, what it comes down to is that the consumption of refined carbohydrates is most often the chief villain and a common denominator in patients suffering from chronic inflammation such as in both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, etc.
Grains and sugars are key players — which when eliminated greatly reduce painful inflammation if continued long enough. Depending on the chronicity, how long-lasting the condition is, it can take a few weeks to see symptoms alleviate. But this is also due to the co-existence of mineral deficiencies caused by chronic intake of refined carbohydrates.
So, for best results one should replace refined carbs (breads, pastas, candies, cakes) with fresh vegetables rich in minerals.
Other dietary factors that may be contributing to inflammation include foods in the “night shade” family. These include tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplants as chief offenders for those who are “night shade-sensitive.”
The most effective way to determine which way a person should go diet-wise if they are afflicted with a painful inflammation condition is to start by keeping a food diary — keeping track of everything they are eating as they eat it and reviewing it to identify their “high carb” pattern. It’s almost always there.
Get an inexpensive carb counter book or smart phone app and add up the number of grams of carbs being consumed daily.
In painful conditions it is often most beneficial to limit carbs to 40 grams per day, with no more than 10 grams per meal or snack.
This will be quite enlightening to most people suffering from chronic inflammatory disease which is kept going by their carb consumption.
Unlike NSAIDS (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) which have serious side effects (including liver damage and inflammation of the gut), reducing refined carbs often has the side effect of loss of unwanted weight that nothing else could handle.
While there are other factors that can contribute to chronic inflammation, the above is the safest and most effective way to start addressing this.
Getting with a holistic wellness practitioner skilled in Nutrition Response Testing could help you zero in on any additional dietary factors that might be present. But most people can do it on their own if they follow the above guidelines.
Bottom line is that chronic inflammation is not an ibuprofen or other NSAID deficiency. It is usually caused by nutritional imbalances resulting from consuming more refined carbohydrates than the body can handle — and vitamin and minerals deficiencies caused by over-consumption of refined carbs.
Cut out the candies, cakes, sugars, grains, pastas and start living a more pain free and energized life.
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