Avoid These Six Foods to Help Prevent "Inflammaging"
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"Inflammaging" - a word that combines "inflammation" and "aging" - is a term that was coined to show the strong connection between inflammation in our bodies and aging.

Many studies have shown that as we age, our bodies develop a low-grade chronic inflammation. According to researchers at Yale, inflammation is linked to many age-related diseases including Alzheimer’s, gout, arthritis and diabetes. Inflammation causes aches and pains in the body and can do a number on our skin too. It can cause wrinkles, sagging and loss of elasticity.

The good news is that we can help fight inflammation through our diet by eating certain foods and avoiding others. Mindbodygreen recommends avoiding these six foods to help prevent inflammation-based premature aging:

1. Sugar

Sugar raises insulin and high levels of insulin result in an inflammatory reaction in the body. High blood sugar levels also accelerate a process called glycation, which results in rigid proteins (called advanced glycation end products, or AGEs for short). AGEs cause an inflammatory response, and cause collagen and elastin to become brittle and break, leading to skin aging.

2. Vegetable oils (including canola, soy, corn, and sunflower seed)

These oils are packed full of polyunsaturated omega-6 essential fatty acids, which cause inflammation. Omega-3 essential fatty acids help turn off the inflammatory process, so increasing your intake of those and limiting omega-6 can help keep inflammation at bay.

3. Wheat and the gluten-containing grains, barley, rye, and triticale

Gluten can cause a "leaky gut", which in turn can prompt an immune response leading to chronic inflammation. Amylase trypsin inhibitors (ATIs) found in wheat provoke an inflammatory response in the GI tract.

4. Refined grains

These carbs are quickly converted into glucose, so they cause a spike in insulin, which leads to an inflammatory response. Refined grains are milled to make a smoother texture and improve shelf life, but this process removes dietary fiber, iron, and many B vitamins. You'll want to look for products containing whole grains.

5. Burned and charred foods

Burned foods have been shown to contain AGEs. As mentioned above, AGEs are pro-inflammatory. Try boiling, steaming, and slow-cooking your food to minimize burning and charring. There's also worry about burnt food being linked to cancer, another reason you may want to avoid it. For a recent article on this topic, click here.

6. Conventional dairy

About 75% of adults have trouble digesting dairy, which can lead to chronic inflammation. Diary can also cause digestive issues and skin problems. Opt for hormone-free or plant-based milks instead.

While we can't stop the aging process, we can be proactive in avoiding premature aging by reducing inflammation in our bodies. Check out this article for a more in-depth look at inflammaging. Click here to be taken to the article from Mindbodygreen.




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