Earlier we spoke about certain foods to eliminate from your diet that were inflammatory and were responsible for exacerbating pain conditions. Now we will discuss certain foods that can decrease inflammation stores in the body and serve as natural super foods. Below are 5 of the most efficient natural anti-inflammatory foods that should be added to your diet (if they are not already part of it).

Berries

Berries are chalk full of antioxidants which contain phytonutrients (plant nutrients). These nutrients have been proven to protect the body from inflammation and fight disease such as cancer, dementia, and cardiovascular problems.

Blackberries, blueberries, goji berries, strawberries, and cranberries are laden with anti-oxidants and should be a part of your regular diet. Although these tasty health powerhouses may be difficult to eat all of the time due to seasonal variations, pure juices and frozen varieties are also readily available. It should be noted that it is recommended to purchase berries that are organic (or wild) and pesticide free. Pesticides used to kill fungi and insects are used regularly and are difficult to wash from berries. Berries covered with pesticide chemicals can actually do more harm than good, so be sure to go organic when buying berries!

Green Health Acupuncture now has a variety of products loaded with anti-oxidants made especially to decrease inflammation throughout the body:

Reservatrol Life Tonic: Our most popular product, a concentrated formula rich in anti-oxidants and polyphenals to promote cardiovascular health and prevention of disease.

NeuroFlam (K-46): Capsule form anti-oxidant blend developed to decrease inflammation of the nervous system and brain.

Absolute Goji Juice: 100% certified organic pure goji juice, one of the most potent anti-oxidant rich foods on the market. Great in shakes or all by itself.

Mangosteen Elixir: 100% natural mangosteen juice, blended with goji and noni berries. Excellent source of anti-oxidants and naturally occurring minerals, enzymes, vitamins, phytonutrients, and bioflavinoids.

Fish

Certain kinds of fish contain huge amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, which are responsible for extinguishing inflammation in the body. In addition, the kinds of omega-3s found in fish (eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids) help with everything from cardiovascular disease and cancer to autoimmune diseases.

The most potent omega-3 containing fish in the water are Wild Atlantic Salmon, Sardines, Anchovies, Atlantic Mackeral, Rainbow Trout, and Pacific Halibut. Oysters and Mussels also are full of omega-3s too. These fish and shellfish are available in grocery stores and seafood markets everywhere. But, make sure the seafood you buy is wild, not farm-raised. Farm raised fish do not contain the amount of beneficial nutritional elements because these fish are kept in confined areas which are often contaminated. Fish are not able to swim freely to find proper food, relying on humans to feed them artificial food supplements.

If fresh fish is not always convenient, fish oil is an excellent dietary supplement that can be added to your diet to supply the body with heart disease- and inflammation-fighting omega-3s. Fish oil can be ingested in liquid or capsular form.

Broccoli

This vegetable is a no brainer. Broccoli is one of the most widely available vegetables in the world and supplies the body with a host of nutritional benefits. Broccoli contains anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer phytonutrients, which help the body get rid of potentially carcinogenic compounds that can accumulate over time.

In addition to the aforementioned advantages, broccoli provides vitamin C (aids iron absorption), folic acid (sustains normal tissue growth), potassium (battles high blood pressure), and is fiber-rich (helps gastrointestinal motility and reduces cholesterol). This green cruciferous vegetable fights inflammation in the body while providing many of the necessary vitamins and nutrients needed to maintain a healthy body system.

Broccoli is easy to cook with and can be prepared by boiling, steaming, roasting, grilling, and can also be eaten blanched or raw. Some delicious forms of this nutritional vegetable include broccoli slaw, salad, soup, casserole, stir-fry, and many more!

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Olive oil has been described as the Mediterranean’s secret to health and longevity. Extra virgin olive oil contains a rich supply of polyphenols, which protects the heart and blood vessels from inflammatory processes. In addition, olive oil also contains monosaturated fatty acids which are transformed by the body into anti-inflammatory agents to help in controlling LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels while raising HDL (“good”) cholesterol levels. Olive oil is also very well tolerated by the stomach. In fact, olive oil’s protective function has a beneficial effect on gastrointestinal problems like ulcers and gastritis as well.

Other health benefits of olive oil include: stimulation of metabolism, facilitation of digestion, helps alleviate digestive tract issues, helps constipation, helps prevent disease, lowers blood pressure levels, treats ear complaints, prevents hair loss, moisturizes skin, and strengthens fingernails.

It is extremely important to use only olive oil that is labeled “extra virgin”. This guarantees that the oil has been cold pressed from freshly harvested olives and does not contain chemicals or pesticides. Extra virgin olive oil will also provide the best tasting olive oil. As a general rule, oil that is green in color is higher quality than golden-yellow oil. Olive oil can be substituted for other vegetable oils for cooking and is an excellent alternative for butter/margarine in everyday kitchen use.

Green Tea

Green tea is loaded with potent natural anti-inflammatory compounds that have been shown in numerous studies to be beneficial to your health by reducing the risk of heart disease and cancer. Green tea’s antioxidants, called catechins, scavenge for free radicals that can damage DNA and contribute cancer and heart disease.

Green tea has also been used to promote weight loss. ECGC, a flavonol contained in green tea has been said to increase thermogenesis, or heat production, by influencing enzymes in the metabolic process. This process leads to increased burning of calories. In addition, green tea has also been linked to lowering cholesterol, preventing diabetes and stroke, and warding off dementia.

Green tea (and its sister White tea, which is also a potent antioxidant source) are easy to make and taste great. Drink tea hot, iced, or take the capsule form to reap the benefits of this antioxidant powerhouse. Many products contain green tea (including ice cream, flavored drinks, etc.), but also pack on tons of added sugar. So, be sure to check out the labels and note the other ingredients in green and white tea products.

Green Health Acupuncture has several varieties and blends of loose green and white teas available for purchase. In addition, we also carry ThermaBurn (by Oessencials) which is a natural herbal weight loss supplement containing green tea and other herbs which help burn fat, eliminate toxins, curb cravings, and promote weight loss.