#17 - COOL DOWN DIET

The Healthy Rotarian - “Cool Down Diet”

Chronic systemic inflammation is the root cause of many serious autoimmune illnesses - including heart disease, many cancers, diabetes type I & II, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer's disease.

We all know inflammation on the surface of the body as local redness, heat, swelling and pain. It is the cornerstone of the body's healing response, bringing more nourishment and more immune activity to a site of injury or infection. But when inflammation persists or serves no purpose, it damages the body and causes illness.

Stress, lack of exercise, genetic predisposition, and exposure to toxins can all contribute to such chronic inflammation, but dietary choices play a significant role as well. Learning how specific foods influence the inflammatory process is the best strategy for containing it and reducing long-term disease risks.  

The anti-inflammatory diet is designed primarily to reduce the risks of age-related disease and optimize health, and is not a diet specifically for weight loss. Many people will lose weight on it. Stabilizing blood sugar by eating low-glycemic-load meals, eating lean protein with healthy fats, drinking plenty of water, and having high quantities of fiber from fresh fruits and vegetables all contribute to increased metabolism, which helps the body burn fat rather than store it.  Next week the anti-inflammatory food choices will be highlighted.  Stay tuned…..

Nurse Sipple