7 Foods That Reduce Inflammation Naturally

Do you or someone you love suffer from inflammation and the pain that comes with it? If so, I'm happy to share with you a little of what I have learned through my journey to heal my inflammation. I will share with you 7 foods that reduce inflammation naturally.

In my early 20's, I dealt with daily pain from inflammation in several areas of my body. So I know how painful and debilitating inflammation can be. When I could take the pain any longer, I decided to take matters into my own hands, and find out how to get rid of my inflammation for good and in a natural way. Before I share some of the secrets I have found, it is important to know what inflammation is. So, what is inflammation?

Inflammation is part of the biological response of vascular tissues to harmful stimuli. These stimuli could be damaged cells, pathogens, or irritants. Inflammation is a protective attempt by your body to remove the detrimental stimuli and to start the healing process. Infections and wounds would never heal without inflammation. Symptoms of inflammation can include swelling, pain, redness, and restriction in movement.

Inflammation can be acute or chronic. Chronic inflammation is prolonged inflammation. It leads to a progressive shift in the type of cells existing at the site of inflammation and is characterized by concurring destruction and healing of the tissue from the inflammatory process. It can cause a load of diseases, such as arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, periodontitis, hay fever, cancer, inflammatory bowel diseases, hypersensitivities, diabetes, stroke, heart disease, acne, celiac disease, autoimmune diseases, asthma, etc. So for that reason, the body closely regulates inflammation.

It is important to reduce inflammation not just because of the pain that it causes you, but also because chronic inflammation is very detrimental to the body. Unlike acute inflammation, where the immune system responds to injury or infection by activating inflammatory chemicals that fight abnormal substances, chronic inflammation isn't beneficial for the body.

The foods you choose to eat can help reduce and prevent inflammation. Foods reduce inflammation naturally, so if you want to get rid of your inflammation naturally, then read on! Below I will share with you 7 foods that reduce inflammation naturally. These foods are called anti-inflammatory foods.

Berries
Goji berries are one of the first foods I choose to eat to rid myself of my horrible inflammation pain, and I noticed a difference within weeks. Goji berries are very high in antioxidants, so they are a great anti-inflammatory along with other wonderful qualities. Blueberries are full of antioxidants and high in phytonutrients. Phytonutrients give anti-inflammatory protection against many diseases. Other types of berries such as raspberries, blackberries, strawberries and cranberries are also high in antioxidants.

Papaya
Papain is a protein-digesting enzyme found in papaya. Papain, along with other nutrients such as vitamin E and C, helps to reduce inflammation and improves digestion. If you are interested in foods that reduce inflammation, and you are a tropical fruit fan, then this is a perfect food for you to eat.

Pineapple
Pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme that aids in the healing of indigestion, sports injury, trauma and other kinds of swelling and inflammation. Extracts of bromelain are used in various natural anti-inflammatory supplements for arthritis.

Spices
Turmeric is a spice with high anti-inflammatory qualities. Add a teaspoon to your diet each day. Some ways to include turmeric into your diet would be to add it to soups, sprinkling it on scrambled eggs, mixing it into sauces, or salad dressings. Ginger is a relative of turmeric that is also revered internationally for its anti-inflammatory qualities. If you want to reduce inflammation naturally, then try incorporating these spices in your next meals.

Kelp
Kelp contains fucoidan, a kind of carbohydrate that is anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidative. Kombu, arame, and wakame are a few types of kelp that can be bought at the grocery store. Kelp has a high fiber content so it also helps to make your feel full and promotes weight loss. Get organic kelp from unpolluted waters.

Spinach
Spinach is a dark green leafy vegetable that is a high source of anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative flavonoids and carotenoids. It contains vitamin A, B, B, C, E, K, iron, magnesium, potassium, calcium, and folate. Make sure to buy organic spinach. Non-organic spinach is sprayed with pesticides and you don't want to be putting more toxins into your body, because that will increase your inflammation. Vegetables, especially dark leafy vegetables are great for decreases inflammation. Choose dark green or brightly colored vegetables.

Broccoli
Broccoli contains anti-inflammatory phytonutrients that help the body to get rid of carcinogenic compounds. It is also a highly nutritious vegetable. Cauliflower is a relative of broccoli, which contains similar components that aid the body's detoxification.

I hope you have found this list of foods that reduce inflammation helpful. Start eating some of these foods, and see what happens. If you already eat some of them, try eating more. The more you eat of these foods, the more you should see a reduction in your inflammation and the pain that goes with it. Here's to a new you... inflammation and pain-free!By Carolyn K. Collins 

Health Benefits of Vitamin E

The health benefits of vitamin E range include skin enhancement, wound healing, immune function, and protection against various diseases. Also called alpha-tocopherol, vitamin E is believed to reduce cholesterol and plaque buildup, reducing the risk of stroke and coronary artery disease (CAD).
Vitamin E is an essential nutrient, which means the body needs it but cannot produce it on its own. However, vitamin E deficiency is rare because it is fat-soluble - it is stored in the fat tissues for up to six months before getting depleted. Common food sources include nuts, poultry, wheat products, and various vegetable oils, particularly wheat germ oil. It is also available as a health supplement. Other health benefits of vitamin E include the following:
Antioxidant
One of the best health benefits of vitamin E is its antioxidant capacity. Antioxidants help remove free radicals - unstable compounds that damage cell structure, increasing the risk of cancer and weakening the immune system. This also protects against eye diseases, diabetes and pancreatic disorders, and Alzheimer's Disease.
Cholesterol reduction
Vitamin E prevents cholesterol from being converted to plaque, which thickens the blood vessels and leads to stroke and heart disease. It also thins the blood and improves blood flow even with plaque buildup on the artery walls. Studies show that vitamin E from foods can reduce the risk of stroke in postmenopausal women, although further studies are needed to support this claim.
Skin care
Skin and lip protection are also well-known health benefits of vitamin E. Vitamin E helps retain moisture in the skin and prevents dryness, itchiness, and chapping. It also protects against UV radiation and speeds up wound healing. It can be applied topically and is a main ingredient in most creams, lotions, and sunscreens.
Anti-inflammatory and pain relief
Studies suggest that vitamin E can both relieve and prevent osteoarthritis. Its effects are similar to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are traditionally used to relieve arthritic pain. It also improves joint mobility, preventing gout and buildup of waste material in the joints.
IMPORTANT: Vitamin E is considered a dietary supplement, which means it is not as strictly regulated as conventional drugs. Additives in some products (such as starch, silica, and gluten) can inhibit the health benefits of vitamin E and even be harmful to your health. Buy only products that are GMP-compliant and make sure they do not contain any artificial colors or flavorings.

It Sounds Crazy But Ulcers Can Cause Back Pain

In cases of chronic back pain one might think, "Do Ulcers Cause back Pain?" A simple answer to this anxious question is 'yes', a peptic ulcer is a probable cause of back pain.

What is an ulcer? An ulcer is a specific term that signifies any open sore, lesion or break in the skin or in a mucous membrane. A thin tissue that lines the inner surface of body openings such as a lining of the stomach and intestines is a mucous membrane. However as a generalized concept or as a most commonly referred to concept, people speak of ulcers that occur in the upper digestive system such as peptic ulcers. The digestive system comprises of esophagus, stomach, duodenum and intestines. Ulcers in the stomach are called gastric ulcers, and likewise there are duodenal ulcers and esophageal ulcers. Duodenal ulcers account for 80% cases of peptic ulcers.

There are many symptoms of ulcers. The most common sign of ulcers is an intermittent and irritating pain in the stomach this pain also transfers to other areas such as the shoulder blades, back, indigestion, heartburn, gas, bloating, appetite loss and nausea. A few well known symptoms of ulcers are back pain, headache, itching and choking sensation.

A few years back it was widely considered by physicians that lots of excessive stress was a major cause of ulcers in people. Their theory was that lots of stress increases the production of hydrochloric acid in the body. This acid is strong enough to eat away the proactive mucous lining of the stomach causing an ulcer. Although still widely accepted by many, there is a newer theory that bacterial infection is responsible for ulcers in more that 70 to 80% of the cases.

Bacteria 'Helicobacter Pylori' is the most common bacteria known to cause gastric ulceration. These bacteria can burrow into the mucous layer of stomach and produce inflammation. Excessive acidic juices generated by stomach due to spicy foods are capable of burning the lining of digestive tract and thereby damaging the digestive system. Extreme physical and emotional stress is likely to aggravate an existing ulcer, though it is normally not considered as a root cause for ulcer.

Apart form the infection, use of non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs can also trigger ulcers. NSAIDs are commonly used by people as pain killers for headaches, sore muscles, menstrual cramps and other similar situations. Belonging to this family of NSAIDs is aspirin, ibuprofen and acetaminophen, excessive use of such type of drugs may prove to be detrimental to the stomach lining and cause ulcers. Mucosal protection is further damaged by over consumption of Alcoholic beverages and heavy smoking.

As a first step towards ulcer diagnosis, any physician would inquire about the symptoms. Besides the symptoms, the physician would look for factors from a patient's such as any cases of family history of ulcers or stomach cancers, frequency of alcohol consumption, smoking habits, patient's age, recent weight loss, repeated nausea or vomiting incidences, back pain, history of using anti-inflammatory drugs or other NSAIDs. Apart from the symptoms and patient's history, endoscopy is a modern approach to minimally invasive diagnostic medical procedure. Endoscopy is also well accepted as one of the best methods of diagnosing ulcers. An endoscope is a narrow tube which contains a light and tiny camera at its end to study the patient's digestive system. When this tube is inserted down the patient's throat the physician can examine the interior walls of the stomach and duodenum. Endoscope can also carry a small scissor to cut off small sample of mucous membrane for further examination of potential stomach cancer.

Imaging techniques are not as reliable as endoscopy but are also used frequently as patients are becoming more comfortable with this technique. Using the imaging technique, the patient is made to drink a fluid containing barium. Barium is a substance which is opaque and transparent to x-rays. An x-ray image of the patient's digestive system can show any abnormalities like ulcers that may be present wherein the opaque substance appears as a white patch on the x-ray image. Most of the symptoms of ulcers can be treated with over the counters medications which can relieve the pain, nausea or other general discomfort created by ulcers.

Ulcers and especially Peptic Ulcers do cause severe back pain. Such pain is likely to happen immediately after eating when some one is suffering from ulcers.

Zoe Beartoes

HEALTH BENEFITS OF TURMERIC

Here are 20 reasons to add turmeric to your diet:

1. It is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent, useful in disinfecting cuts and burns.
2. When combined with cauliflower, it has shown to prevent prostate cancer and stop the growth of existing prostate cancer.
3. Prevented breast cancer from spreading to the lungs in mice.
4. May prevent melanoma and cause existing melanoma cells to commit suicide.
5. Reduces the risk of childhood leukemia.
6. Is a natural liver detoxifier.
7. May prevent and slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease by removing amyloyd plaque buildup in the brain.
8. May prevent metastases from occurring in many different forms of cancer.
9. It is a potent natural anti-inflammatory that works as well as many anti-inflammatory drugs but without the side effects.
10. Has shown promise in slowing the progression of multiple sclerosis in mice.
11. Is a natural painkiller and cox-2 inhibitor.
12. May aid in fat metabolism and help in weight management.
13. Has long been used in Chinese medicine as a treatment for depression.
14. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, it is a natural treatmentfor arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
15. Boosts the effects of chemo drug paclitaxel and reduces its side effects.
16. Promising studies are underway on the effects of turmeric on pancreatic cancer.
17. Studies are ongoing in the positive effects of turmeric on multiple myeloma.
18. Has been shown to stop the growth of new blood vessels in tumors.
19. Speeds up wound healing and assists in remodeling of damaged skin.
20. May help in the treatment of psoriasis and other inflammatory skin conditions.

Turmeric can be taken in powder or pill form. It is available in pill form in most health food stores, usually in 250-500mg capsules.