How to Fight Inflammation and Ageing with These Four Foods

Fighting inflammation goes hand-in-hand with fighting the signs of ageing, and it’s one of the important wellness defence mechanisms of the human body. This is according to a recent news release by researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), who say that inflammation increases blood flow in response to infection and certain chronic conditions, which helps to rid your body of injuries and harmful substances, but if it persists, inflammation loses its benefit to your wellbeing and becomes a health hazard.

According to Laurne Whitt, PhD, a University of Alabama at Birmingham Employee Wellness director and adjunct professor of personal health, ‘The inflammation process has one goal: to respond immediately to detect and destroy the toxic material in damaged tissues before it can spread throughout the body. The trouble with inflammation occurs when the defence system gets out-of-control and begins to destroy healthy tissue, causing more damage than the original issue.’

However, the UAB researchers also say that, with a few dietary adjustments, you can reduce inflammation, which also has anti-ageing benefits. Firstly, Dr Andrew Weil advises dark, leafy greens and red tomatoes, as the former is high in vitamin K while the latter contains rich levels of lycopene. Both of these nutrients are hailed for their anti-ageing effects due to their antioxidant properties.

Next, salmon can stop inflammation and the signs of ageing. As the Dr Oz Show website notes, ‘Salmon is among the highest omega-3-containing fish that is a must for healthy skin. As we age, cell turnover slows down, causing an accumulation of rough patches and dry skin; our skin also begins to produce less oil, diminishing our natural glow. Brighten your complexion with omega-3 fatty acids. Try to eat salmon two times per week to bring radiance back to skin.’

Finally, you know that oranges contain vitamin C – an essential antioxidant, but Dr Oz points out that blackcurrants actually contain five times the vitamin C that oranges do. This makes them an excellent booster of immunity and a superb anti-inflammatory food. Dr Whitt advises incorporating blackcurrants, and the other anti-inflammatory foods, in a gradual manner. ‘Eating to minimize inflammation doesn’t have to be an overwhelming task,’ she said. ‘Take baby steps by incorporating leafy greens into a salad at lunch, or add a piece of whole fruit to your breakfast.’

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