(29-10-13) Seven natural foods to relieve inflammation

by Yanjun

(NaturalNews) There is an adage that talks about the effect of food on the personality and the health condition of humans. "You are what you eat," it suggests. People who are suffering from swollen joints or inflammation should keep this adage in mind. There are several anti-inflammatory foods that alleviate the pain that goes with rheumatoid arthritis and swollen fingers, joints and ankles.


Here are some of them:
Good Oils
If you've been using vegetable oil all along, it's time to throw it out of the kitchen. Instead, use olive oil which contains the inflammation-and pain-busting omega-9 fatty acid and oleic acid. If olive oil is not available, good substitutes would be avocado or grape seed oil. Extra virgin olive oil is also an excellent replacement not only for its ability to arrest inflammation but also for its good effects on the heart and the brain.


Eat Fish Rather than Meat
Omega fatty acids are good nutrients for treating inflammation. Those acids are unfortunately absent the in red meats that people are fond of eating. Red meats instead contain high amounts of salt and cholesterol. Switch to protein-rich fish like bass, halibut, cod, tuna and salmon. These fishes are high in omega-3 fatty acid.


Nuts and Fruits
Nuts and fruits are good sources of good oils. Under this category are hazelnuts, sunflower seeds, almonds and walnuts. Strawberries, raspberries, pineapple, cherries, blueberries and apples are also good additions. They all contain anti-inflammatory and antioxidant ingredients.


The Odorous Garlic
The not-good-smelling garlic does health wonders, and it was recently discovered that it has anti-inflammatory properties. If you've got swollen joints, add some more garlic to your dishes.


Herbs
Fresh herbs have tremendous amounts of nutrients, and you have a lot of them around. Turmeric, basil, oregano, thyme, parsley, rosemary and chili peppers are just some of the herbs that are readily available. Make a marinade out of these herbs. Add ginger and garlic.


Desserts
Some dessert ingredients have powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Chocolate is one good example, along with the nuts and fruits that have been cited above. The best dessert would be something that uses chocolate with 70% or higher pure cocoa content, has a low fat content and is heavy with nuts and fruits.


Tea Time
Green tea, known for its ability to lower risks of cancer and heart diseases, is also a powerful inflammation fighter. Drink green tea combined with lemon and you'll have a powerful team that effectively controls inflammation and increases the antioxidant levels in the blood.


Conclusion: In a Nutshell
In a nutshell, eat fresh fruits and vegetables, fish with high omega fatty acid content and foods that contain antioxidants. When you go to a restaurant to eat, resist the eye-popping carne asada burrito and turn instead to garlic, nuts, fresh fruits and vegetables, ginger and everything that can help you live a life free from pain.

Sources for this article include:

http://bodyecology.com

http://nutrition.about.com

http://www.healthline.com

About the author:
Yanjun is a health and nutrition writer with over 3 years of professional experience in the health and fitness industry. He''s a contributor to many premier source for health advice, fitness tips, and consumer reviews of nutritional supplements.

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