Inflammation is the body’s response to illness and injury. It is an important element of the healing process. However, some people have medical conditions that cause faulty inflammatory responses, which can lead to pain. If suffer from a chronic inflammatory disease, an anti-inflammatory diet may help you. While it might not cure your condition, it may help lessen your flare ups and reduce the pain.

What is an Anti-Inflammatory Diet?

An anti-inflammatory diet focuses on whole foods that reduce inflammatory responses. Whole foods are nutrient rich and contain antioxidants, which help protect your body from free radicals and reduce inflammation. Anti-inflammatory foods include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and fish. Fish, for example, has omega-3 fatty acids, which help combat inflammation. Some specific foods to try include:

• Kale
• Spinach
• Beans
• Walnuts
• Almonds
• Salmon
• Broccoli
• Blueberries
• Blackberries

An anti-inflammatory diet also involves eliminating or reducing processed foods and sugary foods such as soda, white pasta, desserts, and white bread. Sugar actually causes the body to produce cytokines, which are inflammatory messengers. Also, doctors recommend reducing consumption of high fat and processed meats as well as whole milk and cheese. The high saturated fat is the culprit of these foods.

While it can be difficult to change your diet, here are some tips to help you:

• Avoid fast food, which often contains high fat and processed food
• Remove soda and sugary drinks and replace with water or green tea
• Plan your meals out for the week and take a grocery list when shopping
• Lookup Mediterranean diet and vegetarian recipes for tasty ideas. Many recipes of these two diets are often anti-inflammatory in nature.

Conditions that an Anti-Inflammatory Can Diet Help

 Many pain management physicians integrate an anti-inflammatory diet with their patients’ overall treatment plans. Some medical conditions that this diet can help include:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Lupus
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Crohn's disease
• Inflammatory bowel disease

If you have any questions about reducing inflammation and starting an anti-inflammatory diet, speak with your pain management doctor. Your doctor will be able to provide help that is specific to your condition. Contact Apex Medical Center for pain management physicians in Las Vegas and Henderson, NV. Our focus is on quality pain management care.