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THE SIMPLE DIET THAT CAN FIGHT ARTHRITIS AND ALZHEIMER'S...

"The latest diet craze is nothing like the usual offerings. You don't have to count calories or even cut your food intake drastically. There's also no promise of instant weight loss, though you probably will become more trim.
 
What this diet will do is help prevent illnesses such as heart disease, Alzheimer's and possibly cancer, and significantly ease the pain of chronic conditions such as arthritis.
 
The 'anti-inflammatory' diet is based on the principle that many health problems are linked to chronic inflammation caused by an over-active immune system.
 
The theory is that certain foods help calm the immune system.
 
 
Those who have jumped on the band wagon include Barry Sears, creator of the Zone diet, and dermatologist Dr Nicholas Perricone (the Perricone Diet).
 
But what sets this latest trend apart from other dietary fads is the growing number of medical experts who agree there might be much to gain from it.
 
The idea that chronic inflammation can lead to ill health is well established. It occurs when the immune system begins attacking the body - it's not clear why this happens, but, as a result, the body tissues are damaged. In turn, they release chemicals that cause inflammation.
 
Because this initially causes no pain, people often don't realise they're suffering from chronic and 'silent' inflammation until years later - when the symptoms of arthritis or other conditions emerge.
 
Until recently, scientists were unsure of the role diet played in preventing inflammatory disease, but emerging evidence suggests it might be more helpful than previously thought.
 
In a review published recently in the British Journal Of Nutrition, Professor Philip Calder and his team at the University of Southampton looked at all the existing evidence for anti-inflammatory eating and suggested the approach might help a range of conditions.
 
 
WHAT TO EAT:
 
These foods are all high in antioxidants and nutrients that have an anti-inflammatory effect: 
  • Brightly coloured fresh fruit
  • Wholegrains, such as brown rice and bulgar
  • Legums (pulses, beans and lentils)
  • Soy products, such as tofu, edamame, soy nuts and soy milk
  • Dark chocolate
  • Garlic, turmeric, ginger
  • Grape skins and red wine
  • Pomegranate juice

Oily fish and walnuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, shown to play a large role in reducing inflammation.

Cut down on red meat and refined foods including white pasta and rice, which trigger inflammation.
 
If you do have pasta, cook it al dente, which means it isn't metabolised as quickly and so avoids spikes in your blood sugar levels (some experts say this causes inflammation).
 
Opt for wholegrain pasta, rice noodles, bean-thread noodles or Japanese noodles such as udon and soba."
 
 
The above was taken from an article featured in the the Daily Mail newspaper - 22 September 2009.
 
 
Written by Peta Bee.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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