One of the main problems we have facing our health today is inflammation. It’s been linked to osteoarthritis, infections, digestive problems, premature aging, and more.
The body responds to wounds and infections with inflammation. It’s a natural immune response, and in optimal conditions, actually helps us heal. The problems start when the inflammation doesn’t go away, which happens to a lot of us these days.
Called “chronic inflammation,” it goes on inside us continuously, taxing our systems and wearing us down. Chronic inflammation has been linked to most of our modern-day diseases including Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, and heart disease.
The standard Western diet makes inflammation worse. Foods that are high in unhealthy fats, sugar, and carbohydrates can all contribute to unhealthy inflammation. Below are seven foods that actually help calm inflammation-which helps reduce your risk of disease.
Here’s one thing you may not have thought about-if you’re body is experiencing chronic inflammation, so is your skin! Acne breakouts, dermatitis, eczema, rosacea, premature aging, and other skin conditions are all inflammatory in nature, and tend to get worse when we eat an inflammatory diet. So eating foods that calm inflammation is key not only for good overall health, but also for clear, youthful looking skin!
At CV Skinlabs, we understand how important it is to tame inflammation if we want to keep our skin looking and feeling as good as possible. That’s why we use anti-inflammatory ingredients-like turmeric, mentioned below-to help calm inflammation both inside and out.
7 Foods that Help Calm Inflammation
Add more of these ingredients to your daily diet to experience reduced risk of disease, improved digestion, more energy and vitality, and clearer, more radiant skin.
- Walnuts: The key here is healthy essential fatty acids. They’re good for the body and the skin. A 2004 study found that a diet high in walnuts helped lower C-reactive protein (CRP), which is a standard marker of inflammation associated with heart disease. Wild-caught salmon is another good source of these healthy fats, as are flaxseed, chia seeds, and anchovies.
- Broccoli: This is a superfood when it comes to reducing inflammation. A 2013 study found that people who ate broccoli for just 10 days cut their inflammation levels in half! A 2014 study also found that women who ate the most cruciferous vegetables (like broccoli and cauliflower) had substantially less inflammation than those who ate the fewest. Broccoli has also been found to help repair DNA damage. Broccoli sprouts have similar benefits and work great on salads.
- Yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut: The key here is probiotics. You can get them from any type of fermented food, including those listed here as well as pickles, miso, kombucha tea, fermented cheese, and more. These are stars when it comes to reducing inflammation. A 2009 study, for example, found that probiotic supplementation actually helped reduce the risk and severity of dermatitis. An earlier study also found that probiotics helped reduce inflammation in the intestine.
- Hempseed oil: We’re talking about healing fatty acids again, here, so you can add avocado oil, coconut oil, and olive oil to this list. They all help tame inflammation, and they’re great for applying topically to skin, as well! A 2010 study found that hempseed had an excellent content of both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, and helped tame inflammation and reduce risk of heart disease.
- Tart cherries: Tart cherry juice is often recommended as a post-workout drink because of its ability to calm inflammation and reduce muscle pain. A 2012 study found that tart cherries helped reduce chronic inflammation, especially for those experiencing joint pain and arthritis. In that study, the researchers noted that tart cherries have the “highest inflammatory content of any food.”
- Onions and garlic: Add these to your meals to enjoy the anti-inflammatory power. A 2011 study found that both not only reduced inflammation in the blood vessels (linked with reducing heart disease), but also reduced oxidative stress. Both of these have also shown anti-inflammatory effects against arthritis. Similar foods include leeks, shallots, chives, and scallions.
- Turmeric: If you’re going to use a spice, use curry! Turmeric is a key ingredients, and it contains a compound called “curcumin” that provides a number of health benefits. Preliminary trials have found that it has anti-inflammatory effects in humans, and it may also be protective against Alzheimer’s disease and digestive health. I’ve added turmeric in my exclusive Tri-Rescue Complex to tame inflammation and encourage healing for the skin!
Do you notice an improvement in your skin when you eat these foods? Please share your thoughts.
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