Inflammation

Inflammation is a pain – literally.  If you suffer from joint pains or other aches and pains, inflammation is probably the cause behind it.  And when women go through hormonal changes, guess what?  Yep, good ‘ol inflammation can happen.

While the studies of the relationship between menopause and inflammation is still new, there is a connection with estrogen and it’s anti-inflammatory affects.  When a woman starts to go through peri-menopause and menopause, and estrogen levels decline, one of the side affects can be inflammation (and pain).  So should we load up on ibuprofen and HRT?  Not necessarily.

One of the best things you can do to reduce inflammation and pain is to change your diet.  Food is not just about weight loss, it is the best medicine for your body.  Foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and fruits and veggies are key to avoiding pharmaceuticals.

So here are foods you should avoid, if you are suffering from inflammation:

• refined carbs (white flour, bread, pasta, rice, cereals)
• fried foods
• red meat (ground beef, steaks)
• hydrogenated fats (margarine, processed foods like snacks and chips)
• sugary drinks (soda – including diet, and other sugar-added drinks like fruit juice)
• Other sugars (white sugar, and sugar substitutes)
• soy-based oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, and corn oil

Here are foods that will help you with your inflammation:

• Green leafy veggies (the darker the better…like spinach and kale)
• Foods rich in antioxidants (blueberries, grapes, strawberries, tomatoes, and sweet potatoes – to name a few)
• Nuts (almonds and walnuts)
• Fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, tuna)
• Oils (olive, grape seed, avocado)
• Whole grains (gluten free: Quinoa, brown rice, and gluten free breads or pasta)

My advice is to limit your intake of sugars and gluten – or at least white flour, (if you can’t give them up altogether), and begin planning out your meals based on these recommendations.  Then maybe you can throw away all the pills and avoid the shots or other therapies.  Healing the body as naturally as possible is always best and what you put in it (your body) matters.  I always say feed yourself as though you respect yourself.  Respecting your body means providing it with the best nutrition you can (naturally).