Summary: You can do a lot through diet to reduce your inflammation and lower your risk of disease and early death.Inflammation is a huge health issue in today's world, especially because it can lead to so many deadly chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Silent inflammation occurs when you don't have typical symptoms or a diagnosis of a disease, but your body is still harboring the potential. According to Dr. Michael T. Murray, you can do a lot through diet to reduce your inflammation and lower your risk of disease and early death. For instance, sugar increases inflammation, as do the "wrong kind" of fats (saturated, omega-6, cholesterol). On the other hand, richly colored fruits and vegetables high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties are essential for reducing inflammation. Omega-3 fish oils and monounsaturated fats (olive oil, avocado, nuts and seeds) are also beneficial for fighting inflammation. A hot supplement in the natural health world is curcumin (turmeric). Research suggests there is great promise for this being a safe and effective alternative to NSAIDs. Theracurmin is an advanced form of curcumin; it is more bio-available and better absorbed by your body. What other supplements does Dr. Murray advise? His top three include a high-potent multivitamin, extra vitamin D3 (2000-5000 IU/day), and a good pharmaceutical grade grade fish oil. You can also request a C-reactive protein blood test, which is a strong predictor of those chronic diseases (heart disease, cancer, diabetes). And, finally, remember that anytime your waist is larger than your hips, you're at a higher risk for inflammation. While supplements can help lower inflammation, you also need to control your weight and eat healthy, whole foods. Listen in as Dr. Murray joins host Lisa Davis to share more about the importance of diet and nutrition in reducing inflammation and lowering your risk for common chronic diseases.
