Re: foods + some additional info

[Guest guest]

re ' ... Inflammation is defined as a localized reaction of tissue to irritation, injury, or infection. ... '

I would add an 'allergic reaction to medication' can also cause inflammation (in any part of the body).

*****

re Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

Here are two news items which may be of interest:

THURSDAY, Oct. 6 (HealthDay News) — Less than a third of patients at high risk for gastrointestinal bleeding while taking NSAID painkillers are being prescribed medicines to prevent that bleeding, new research finds.

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Healthology/story?id=1190521

Long-Term NSAID Use Cuts Oral Cancer Risk, But Raises Cardiovascular Mortality, By J. Brown, MD

http://www.cancerpage.com/news/article.asp?id=8919

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[low dose naltrexone] foods

Anti-Inflammatory Diet - Foods and Inflammation

From Shereen Jegtvig,Your Guide to Nutrition.

Can the Foods You Eat Make a Difference in Chronic Pain?

What is Inflammation?

Inflammation is defined as a localized reaction of tissue to irritation, injury, or infection. Symptoms of inflammation include pain, swelling, red coloration to the area, and sometimes loss of movement or function. We commonly think of inflammation as the painful component of arthritis. Inflammation is also a component of chronic diseases such as heart disease and strokes.

Medical Anti-Inflammatory Treatments

Common medical anti-inflammatory treatments include rest, light exercise, weight maintenance, stretching, and medications designed to reduce the inflammation and control the pain. These medications include Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), steroid medications, and perhaps ultimately joint replacement surgery. The NSAIDs are widely used as the initial form of therapy.

For the most part NSAIDs are tolerated fairly well, although they can irritate the stomach and lead to ulcers. In some instances, long term use can lead to kidney problems.

Inflammatory Foods

The foods you eat play an important roll in how you feel. Loading up on junk foods and fast foods tend to make you feel worse due to the unhealthy fats that are used in the cooking processes. Junk foods also usually contain ingredients that can irritate inflammation. Red meat, eggs, and wheat products all contain something called arachidonic acid. While some arachidonic acid is essential for your health, too much arachidonic acid in the diet will make your inflammation worse. Junk and processed foods often contain too much sugar too. Anecdotal evidence suggests that excessive consumption of sugars and refined starchy carbohydrates like white flour can also aggravate inflammation. Another possible source of irritation are plants from the nightshade family.

Nightshade Plants

While whole fruits and vegetables are important for their vitamins, minerals, and natural antioxidants, some vegetables like potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplant may actually make inflammation worse. These vegetables are part of the nightshade family of plants and contain a chemical alkaloid called solanine. Solanine can trigger inflammation in some people and nightshade plants should be avoided to see if your pain and inflammation improves.

Water And Dehydration

One big factor in pain is dehydration. When you do not drink enough water, you hurt and inflammation feels worse. Make sure to drink at least 60 to 80 ounces of water every day. Avoid heavy caffeine and alcohol consumption because they contain diuretics that may cause your body to lose water.

Delayed Food Allergies

Many people have delayed reactions to foods that will increase inflammation and pain. These type of “food allergies” are not really allergies like hayfever, but they do involve the immune system and can make pain and inflammation much worse. Frequently the underlying problem is due to faulty digestion or excessive consumption of any particular food. Most any food that is consumed more than 4 days a week can be suspected as a possible allergen, but some of the more common allergic foods are milk and dairy, wheat, corn, eggs, beef, yeast, and soy. Even healthy foods can cause problems. There are blood tests that can be performed, or elimination diets that can be undertaken to determine the allergic foods.

Next: Change your Diet to an Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Can the Foods You Eat Make a Difference in Chronic Pain?

Change Your Diet to an Anti-inflammatory Diets

The common western high fat, high red meat, high processed food diet is likely to increase inflammation while a healthy diet low made up of whole foods can actually help to decrease inflammation and pain. Start by avoiding sugars, processed foods, and junk food whenever possible. Choose fresh foods including anti-inflammatory foods like fruits and vegetables.

Anti-Inflammatory Foods

Essential Fatty Acids, Fats, and OilsAdding anti-inflammatory foods that contain the right type of fats in your diet will impact pain and inflammation in a positive way. Omega-3 essential fatty acids are found in cold water oily fish, walnuts, flax and pumpkin seeds and will help to reduce inflammation. Adding omega 3 essential fatty acid supplements with flax oil or fish oil capsules may also help reduce inflammation, just be sure to speak with a doctor or nutritionist before taking larger, therapeutic doses of any supplements. Olive oil is another type of oil that won't promote inflammation. In fact, olive oil has been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, and will help to reduce pain. Other healthy oils include canola oil, grapeseed oil, and walnut oil. ProteinProtein is needed to build healthy body tissues. Good protein choices include lean poultry, fish and seafood, nuts, legumes and seeds. Red meats may trigger inflammation, so cut back on fatty red meats. When you do eat red meat, choose grass-fed, low fat bison, venison and other game meats. Soybeans, tofu, and soy milk are three great sources of soy proteins that may help to reduce your pain and inflammation. Carbohydrates and FiberStay away from the starchier carbohydrates like pastas and white breads and you should avoid sugar too. Choose green leafy vegetables, green and brightly colored vegetables and lots of fresh whole fruits. Berries are a great choice, especially blueberries and strawberries which are packed with anti-inflammatory phytochemicals and anti-oxidants. Apples and red onions are great sources of quercetin, which has strong anti-inflammatory properties. Green vegetables and whole fruits are also important as sources of dietary fiber. Oats and oatmeal contain beneficial fiber too.

Anti-Inflammatory Diet Tips

Over all, when you are choosing anti-inflammatory foods to help reduce your inflammation and pain, choose fresh foods instead of heavily processed foods. Here are some tips:

· Breakfast could be oatmeal served with fresh berries and walnuts, with a cup of soy milk.

· Snack on whole fruits, nuts, seeds, and fresh vegetables throughout the day instead of cookies and candy.

· Eat more fish and less fatty red meat.

· Stay away from deep fried foods and bake or stir fry your meals instead.

· Choose green, orange, and yellow vegetables for your side dishes.

· Drink plenty of water, fresh 100% juices, herbal teas, and green tea.

Use this Nutrition and Calorie Guide for Men and Women to help you determine how many calories you need each day. Maintaining a healthy weight is another