Foods and the Inflammatory Response

As with any health strategy, that which we put into our body will affect its ability to heal and repair. A diet consisting of foods that reduce inflammation should include essential fatty acids from fish and nuts, the spice turmeric, and antioxidants from vegetables and fruits: all may assist in keeping inflammation low. Without inflammation damaged tissue would not heal and further destruction would result.

Foods that may trigger inflammation should be reduced or eliminated from the diet. These may include those foods containing the alkaloid solanine found in the nightshade family (peppers, tomatoes, potato, and eggplant) and those high in arachidonic acid (meat, eggs). Eliminating refined sugars, white flours, processed foods including those with nitrates - as they may perpetuate a rise in inflammatory mediators - is also highly recommended. Another consideration is removing gluten, which can contribute significantly to inflammation, from the diet. Gluten sensitivity is now being recognized as far more prevalent than previously thought and testing is available to identify those who are sensitive.

Although systemic enzyme support may consist of the same proteolytic enzymes as enzymes that are used to support digestion, their intent is to reach the systemic circulation. It is imperative, then, that they are used on an empty stomach (45 minutes prior to eating or several hours after food) in order to achieve this desired effect.

It is apparent that a healthy immune response to injury/trauma involves an inflammatory response. When this response is balanced and appropriate, the body will heal and move to a state of recovery quickly and without complication. When this process is out of balance, pain, reduced healing, and chronic inflammatory conditions may result. Systemic enzyme support assists the body in reaching balance more readily with minimal to no side-effects, unlike some traditional pharmaceutical treatments.

Article excerpt by Dr. Victoria Coleman, published in Canadian Chiropractor, June 2010