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Three Steps to Preventing Inflammation

Dr. Wayne Neal

Do you suffer from chronic inflammation? If not corrected, it can lead to joint problems, asthma, allergies, diabetes, and heart disease. What can you do to prevent it? Here are three steps you can take.

Foods

The first step in preventing inflammation is eating foods that reduce inflammation. I was amazed to find the same recommendation from such a wide variety of health professionals (i.e. from MD’s, PhD’s, nutritionists, chiropractors, naturopathic doctors, and dentists.) Here is a list of both the top foods to eat and the top foods to avoid:

Foods to Prevent Inflammation	Foods that Cause Inflammation
Use extra virgin olive oil, butter, and organic coconut oil. Use honey in small amounts or stevia. Use small amounts of brown rice, millet, and quinoa. Use distilled or filtered water and herb teas. Use Celtic salt and spices. (Click for past THL article.) Use fresh vegetables, fruits, and whole foods. (Organic is best.) Use hormone-free meat and dairy products. Use baked fish like salmon.	Avoid hydrogenated fats like vegetable oils and margarine. Avoid sugar and synthetic sweaters like Splenda and NutraSweet. Avoid wheat, corn, and gluten products. Avoid soft drinks, caffeine, and alcohol. Avoid processed salt because of the additives. Avoid processed foods, fried foods, and fast foods. Avoid meat and dairy products that contain hormones. Avoid any fried fish.

After I started eating according to this list, I felt more energetic and I started holding my adjustments longer. How was this possible? My neck misalignment did not change. My chiropractor was the same. The thing that changed was less inflammation. My body was not wasting energy and nutrients trying to repair the damage caused by chronic inflammation. It shifted from survive to thrive mode. What a difference!

Supplements

The second step in preventing inflammation is taking the right supplements to give the body what it needs to heal. It is important to remember that no amount of supplements can replace eating the proper foods. Supplements are just that… supplemental. Here is a list of some of the most beneficial and well researched supplements:

Supplement	Uses	More information
Vitamin C	Reduces inflammation and used for collagen production. Collagen used to make discs, cartilage, and ligaments.	For details visit: www.doctoryourself.com
Essential Fatty Acids	Excellent natural anti-inflammatory found in flax seed and cod liver oil.	Click here to see past article about Essential Fatty Acids in THL.
Niacinamide	The “non-flush” form of vitamin B-3 used to reduce pain & inflammation, as well as improve joint mobility and function.	Genetic Nutritioneering by Jeffery Bland suggests 450 mg three times a day based on the research of Dr. Kaufman M.D.

Reading List

The third step in preventing inflammation is education. A variety of health problems can stem from chronic inflammation. To learn more about its cause and prevention, I suggest reading one of the following books:

1. The Inflammation Syndrome: the complete nutritional program to prevent and reverse heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, allergies, and asthma by Jack Challem

2. Healing Injuries the Natural Way by Michelle Schoffro Cook (If you are suffering from inflammation resulting from an accident or injury, I suggest reading this book.)

3. Genetic Nutritioneering by Jeffery Bland, Ph.D.

For further information on this topic, you may contact Dr. Neal at 770.952.5353, or by email at DrNeal@humberparkerson.com.

The Highest Level is the monthly e-mail newsletter of the Humber Parkerson Clinic and is designed to empower our patients and the general public to make informed decisions on issues of nutrition, lifestyle, and spinal care. To receive The Highest Level each month, e-mail your request to HighestLevel@humberparkerson.com.

© Humber Parkerson Clinic 2006

November 2006 issue of The Highest Level

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