Nutrition

What Everybody Ought To Know About Fish Oil

What Everybody Ought To Know About Fish Oil

If you’re one of the millions of people who take fish oil, you probably take it for a specific ailment. Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids that can improve heart and brain health. The body requires omega-3 to function properly, but it cannot produce it, so it must come from food. It can aid in treating conditions such as depression, asthma, some autoimmune diseases, ADHA, and rheumatoid arthritis. A study at one of the most dangerous prisons in the UK found that increasing omega-3 and providing a nutrient-dense diet significantly reduced violent acts.

Not all omega-3 supplements are equal.

The omega-3 in fish oil is different from the omega-3 in flaxseed oil. Fish oil contains long-chain omega-3s, DHA and EPA. Flaxseed oil contains short-chain omega-3s—ALA. While the body can’t make any omega-3 fatty acids, it can convert ALA to DHA and EPA, but not efficiently, so you’d have to consume far more to get the amount you need. ALA from plants is also associated with prostate cancer, while DHA and EPA from fish oil aren’t.

Fish oil supplements may help relieve rheumatoid arthritis.

Fish oil may help relieve the swelling and pain from rheumatoid arthritis. One study focused on whether it could reduce the amount of anti-inflammatory drugs subject needed to relieve pain. Many of the patients in the study confirmed it did. They reported it also helped reduce the stiffness felt in the morning. The omega-3 in fish oil helps reduce the inflammatory cytokines that signal the immune system to attack without affecting the correct balance of T-cells, white blood cells that protect the body from bacteria, viruses, and other invaders.

You might boost your brain, heart, and eye health with fish oil.

Even though omega-3 fatty acids play an important role in heart, brain, and eye health, there’s no concrete evidence that taking omega-3 supplements is beneficial. When you consume food, all the nutrients in the food act in synergy in many cases, improving the benefits of all of them. The AHA—American Heart Association—recommends eating fish but doesn’t recommend fish oil supplements. They found the supplements only beneficial for people with specific types of heart disease.

  • Another reason consuming food with omega-3 may be better than taking supplements considers what you don’t eat. If you’re eating fish, you aren’t eating foods that aren’t beneficial to the heart or even harmful.
  • There’s conflicting evidence on whether taking omega-3 fatty acids can help prevent age-related eye disease and age-related cognitive decline. There was no evidence showing it prevented the problems.
  • Omega-3 fish oil supplements are being studied for a variety of conditions, including allergies, diabetes, asthma, obesity, Crohn’s, and osteoporosis. The studies haven’t proven or disproven the fish oil benefits.
  • Even though the prison study on the effects of omega-3 and aggression showed benefits, it doesn’t mean fish oil supplements can help. Consuming fish or other sources of omega-3 is the best way to get the healthiest results.

For more information, contact us today at Rising Fitness Gym


Reasons We Love Chia Seeds

Reasons We Love Chia Seeds

There are a lot of food fads that circulate in Houston, TX, and not all of them are healthy. Luckily, the latest fad of using chia seeds in recipes is different. These tiny seeds are power-packed and ready to provide not only health benefits but also some benefits for your recipes. Using chia seeds in food isn’t new. It was a mainstay of the Mayan and Aztec diet. These tiny seeds may not look impressive but when you include them regularly in your diet, you’ll get impressive results.

A small amount of these nutrient-dense seeds will keep you feeling full.

They seem high in calories for a tiny seed. Chia seeds have 138 calories for just two tablespoons. Just put them in water and that small amount becomes quite a lot and extremely filling. There are 4.7 grams of protein, 11 grams of carbohydrates, and 8.7 grams of fat in that serving size. The fat the seeds contain is the heart-healthy fat, ALA—alpha-linolenic acid. It also contains 9 grams of fiber. The high fat, fiber, and protein content adds to the feeling of satiety for hours, so you won’t be hungry. The seeds also contain a substantial amount of calcium, iron, phosphorus, zinc, and vitamins B1 and B3.

Besides keeping you feeling full longer, chia seeds can help you lose weight in other ways.

Keeping you feeling full is just one way chia seeds help you feel full. The high protein and healthy fat content are also beneficial for weight loss. Healthy fat is vital to the process of burning excess body fat and high protein helps build muscle tissue. Some weight loss studies focusing on obese and overweight people with type 2 diabetes found that including chia seeds in their diet helped boost weight loss.

Chia seed fiber may increase heart health and help prevent blood sugar spikes.

When you increase the fiber in your diet, it benefits your body in several ways. It aids the digestive system, reduces cholesterol, helps regulate blood sugar, and reduces the risk of heart disease. The seeds also increase ALA—a type of omega-3 fatty acid. It also helps reduce the risk of heart disease. A smaller study found that including chia seeds in the diet may also lower blood pressure and improve heart health.

  • You can use chia seeds as a thickener for soups instead of cornstarch or flour. It makes the soup creamier while adding health benefits. Hydrate the seeds in milk and add fruit for a healthy pudding-like dessert.
  • Adding chia seeds to your diet can improve dental and bone health. The ALA, magnesium, phosphorus, and calcium are necessary for healthy teeth and bones.
  • Chia seeds are high in antioxidants. It helps protect you on a cellular level. Antioxidants prevent free radicals from damaging the cells. The antioxidants in chia seeds help protect the liver and heart. They also help prevent cancer.
  • Chia seeds can help prevent chronic inflammation. The caffeic acid in chia seeds is anti-inflammatory. Inflammation can cause serious health issues, including heart problems and premature aging.

For more information, contact us today at Rising Fitness Gym


Understanding The Importance Of Portion Control

Understanding The Importance Of Portion Control

Occasionally eating a small slice of cake or pie won’t affect your weight loss program much. However, if you eat an entire pie or cake and do it every day, you won’t lose weight. Portion control plays a vital role in weight loss. Portion control is more important for some foods than it is for others. For instance, you can eat as many leafy green vegetables as you want without worry but need to watch portions when consuming higher-calorie foods, even if they are fruit or vegetables. Avocados are one example and nuts are another where portion control makes a difference.

You have to know portion size first.

You might be fooled when eating in a restaurant and think you’re getting one serving size. Knowing portions helps. Eating only one portion of each type of food on the plate and asking for a to-go box for the rest can save your weight loss program. It also provides a meal for later. A portion of meat should be the size of the palm of your hand, while vegetables and salads should be fist-size.

To cut back on high-calorie snacks, separate the large bag into individual portions.

It’s too easy to eat an entire bag of chips, but if you count out 15 chips ahead and put them in a bag, you have a one portion serving. When you cook at home, divide the food into portions and store the rest immediately. Avoid mindless eating. If you’re watching a TV program or video, take a break from watching if you’re going to snack and enjoy every morsel. Tracking your food intake throughout the day and keeping a food journal will also make you more aware of what, when, where, and why you’re eating. Not everyone eats just because they’re hungry.

Using smaller plates is one tip for portion control.

The larger the plate, the smaller your serving size looks. Using a small plate makes you feel like you’re getting more food. Make sure your plate is half filled with vegetables that aren’t starchy. Potatoes count as a carbohydrate that should take another fourth of the plate. The last fourth should be a lean protein source You should also have ½ tablespoon of fat.

  • A cup of rice or pasta is one serving, which is the size of a tennis ball. If you eat a portion of cheese, it’s the size of four dice put together. One serving of peanut butter is the size of one golf ball.
  • When eating in a restaurant, skip the appetizer and either split a meal with a friend, ask for a half portion, or set half aside and take it home for later.
  • When you maintain portion control, you’ll find losing weight and maintaining that weight loss is easier. You’ll be able to eat smaller amounts of your favorite food without feeling guilty.
  • Include no-calorie drinks with every meal. Start your meal with a glass of water. You can make it more appealing by infusing fruit or vegetables. It doesn’t add calories, just flavor. Herbal tea, green tea, or coffee can be sipped throughout the meal.

For more information, contact us today at Rising Fitness Gym


The Role Of Gut Health In Weight Loss

The Role Of Gut Health In Weight Loss

Many recent studies show that gut health makes weight loss easier. The microbiome in the gut impacts your gut health directly. There are millions of them and a variety of species. They include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microscopic organisms. They dramatically affect all functions in the body, including gut health. While there are debates on the number of microbes in the body, Scientists agree there are more microbes than cells in our body.

The types of microbes in your gut make a difference in your health and weight loss.

Your body has trillions of microbes, some of which are beneficial and some aren’t. The combination of microbes can make weight loss easy or difficult. Early studies showed that obese people had a different population from those that weren’t. Recent studies followed two groups of people with identical diets and exercise programs. Those that lost weight had similar gut microbes. Their microbes were quite different from those who lost no weight.

The gut produces hormones and performs many other functions.

Hormones are messengers that perform a variety of tasks. Some affect your appetite, while others regulate metabolism. There are over 20 different hormones created in the gut, but the types of hormones vary from individual to individual. That’s because they’re affected by diet, overall health, and stress. These hormones also affect weight loss. They can slow metabolism, increase it, make you hungrier, or diminish your appetite. If your gut is unhealthy, you’ll have diarrhea, gas, bloating, or constipation. An unhealthy gut can cause unintentional weight loss or weight gain.

Diet and exercise affect gut health.

Not only does diet feed the body, but it also feeds the microbes in the gut, too. When you eat a healthy diet, you’re getting all the nutrients, including fiber, to create a healthy body. Soluble fiber is important for a healthy microbiome. It feeds the beneficial microbes, which then create a healthier body. Exercise is also important for gut health. Sugar kills beneficial microbes and increases the population of harmful ones. Not only does the movement aid digestion, but it also boosts the beneficial microbe population. Both are tools for weight loss.

  • Your gut health improves your mental health. People with healthy guts are less prone to depression. Depression can lead to a lack of exercise and overeating.
  • Mindful eating can help both gut health and weight loss. Chewing your food longer and savoring each bite allows your gut to signal the brain it’s full before you’ve overeaten. It also jump-starts the digestive process so your gut doesn’t have to work as hard.
  • Scientists found a relationship between obesity and certain strains of microbes. In people with weight issues, they found the byproducts of the microbes that weren’t in people who weren’t overweight.
  • Stress can affect the microbes in your gut. In turn, the microbes directly affect your health. Maintaining gut health means controlling stress, regular exercise, and eating a healthy diet.

For more information, contact us today at Rising Fitness Gym


What Foods Can You Eat In Unlimited Amounts?

What Foods Can You Eat In Unlimited Amounts?

Do you have dreams of eating cakes and pastries and never gaining weight? The truth is, you can’t. However, there is food you can have in an unlimited amount. Some foods are lower in calories, while others have a thermogenic effect. When your body digests food, it takes extra energy. Some types of food require more energy to digest than others. Food like celery is already low in calories and when you factor in the thermogenic effect, it is even lower and may be negative calories.

Don’t worry about consuming green leafy vegetables.

You can eat an entire large head of lettuce and still only consume 100 calories. It’s hard to imagine eating several large heads, but it won’t pack on the pounds if you do. The water and fiber will probably fill you up too quickly. You’ll also get a wealth of nutrients, such as vitamin C, iron, folic acid, and vitamin A. Eating a pound of spinach will also increase your calorie intake by about 100 calories and a cup of baby spinach is just 7 calories. You’d have to eat 15 cups to consume 100 calories.

Cauliflower can be cooked or raw, but it still won’t pack on the pounds.

If you’re munching on raw cauliflower or enjoying it steamed, the calorie count is the same, an entire medium head is just 144 calories. Just as it is with leafy greens, you have to eat cauliflower sans toppings. If you steam it and add butter, of course, it will have more calories. If you’re eating it raw, the calorie count skyrockets when you include a dip. You’ll get tired of hearing crunching long before you can overeat cauliflower. If you haven’t consumed a lot of crucifers previously, consuming a copious amount of cauliflower can have consequences. It can cause bloating and gas issues.

A large whole tomato is just 33 calories.

Like many other fruits and vegetables, tomatoes are mostly water. They also have a high nutritional profile, containing lycopene, vitamins A, C, and B2, folic acid, fiber, chromium, and potassium. While weight gain may not be a problem, consuming large amounts of tomatoes may have a side effect for some people. If you’re sensitive to tomatoes or intolerant, issues from too many tomatoes can lead to headaches, urinary problems, and other issues. Tomatoes are acidic, so it can also lead to gastric issues.

  • If you want a snack food that won’t put on weight, consider air-popped popcorn. As long as you don’t slather it with extra butter or other ingredients that add calories, the fiber fills you up, and there are only 31 calories in a cup.
  • Some fruits are super low in calories and also good for weight loss. A large grapefruit contains just 106 calories. It’s not only filling, it also is high in vitamin C and can aid in stabilizing blood sugar levels.
  • A half a cantaloupe is just 50 calories and is high in vitamins A and C. Cantaloupe is over 90% water, so it’s also hydrating. Studies show eating fruit, particularly juicy ones, helped women lose a significant amount of weight.
  • Whether you’re making a fruit or vegetable salad, or simply eating the fruit or vegetable alone, many fruits and vegetables can boost your efforts to lose weight. Strawberries, green peas, broccoli, and cucumbers are also free from limits.

For more information, contact us today at Rising Fitness Gym


Can Your Diet Put You At Risk For Certain Diseases?

Can Your Diet Put You At Risk For Certain Diseases?

At Rising Fitness, we use a holistic approach to good health. The body requires exercise but also needs a healthy diet to reduce the risk of disease. A healthy diet contains many components, including macronutrients, micronutrients, and phytonutrients. Macronutrients include protein, fat, and carbohydrates, while micronutrients include vitamins and minerals. Phytonutrients are substances found in plants that improve the functioning of the body.

Add fiber to your body to maintain a healthy microbiome.

The microbiome is the collection of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms in your body. You have more microbes than you have cells. The gut microbiome is particularly important. It helps digest food and makes nutrients bioavailable. The digestive tract is the largest organ of the immune system and it’s heavily dependent on the microbes living there. Digestion, metabolism, emotions, and inflammation are all affected. Your diet directly affects gut health. A high-sugar diet can kill friendly microbes and boost harmful ones. The soluble fiber in the diet feeds beneficial microbes. Spices, herbs, and a wide diversity of colorful fruits and vegetables can provide healthy micro diversity to improve health.

Your diet can increase your risk of diabetes.

A precursor of type 2 diabetes is insulin resistance. The more highly processed carbs you consume, the more potential there is to develop it. Insulin is a messenger that tells the cells to open for glucose. When you eat simple carbs, it can spike your insulin levels due to the spike in blood sugar levels. Food high in fiber slows the process of increasing blood glucose levels. When that occurs frequently, cells don’t respond to insulin, leaving blood glucose high and causing more insulin to be released. Eventually, insulin resistance leads to diabetes which affects the whole body.

Obesity plays havoc with your body and an unhealthy diet can lead to it.

Obesity is a complex disease and can be caused by many factors, but dietary roles play a big role. If diet causes it, it’s not all about overeating, but more about eating the wrong foods. A diet high in highly processed food, sugar, fried food, and empty carbs can do more than pack on the pounds. It can increase your risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, mental illness, and more.

  • A diet high in bad cholesterol, like highly processed meats, chips, and fries, can affect your cholesterol profile. High cholesterol can lead to blockage in arteries. Another factor for heart disease is high blood pressure, which diet can also cause.
  • An unhealthy diet may increase the risk of certain types of cancer. It’s estimated that 30% of all types of cancer are affected by a poor diet.
  • Eating food high in sodium and low in potassium increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Potatoes, legumes, seafood, leafy greens, dairy, tomatoes, bananas, and avocados are potassium rich.
  • An unhealthy diet filled with processed food, high in sugar, fast food, and simple carbs can affect your mental health, too. Switching to a diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein can improve mental health.

For more information, contact us today at Rising Fitness Gym


The Health Benefits Of Avocados

The Health Benefits Of Avocados

National Avocado Day will be here soon. The celebration on July 31 gives an opportunity to discover new ways to reap the health benefits of avocados. Most people in Houston, TX, immediately think of guacamole when they hear the word avocado, but there are hundreds of ways to include them in your meals. Mashed and spread on toast, they make a creamy, delicious alternative to butter or other spread. Avocados are a healthy addition to salads, tacos, and salsa, and even mixed with goat cheese for avocado cheese truffles. Here are some reasons to search for avocado recipes to celebrate this healthy treasure.

Avocados are a good source of nutrition.

Avocados are high in calories compared to other fruits. One medium avocado has 322 calories, 30 grams of fat, 4 grams of protein, and 17 grams of carbs. It also has 14 grams of carbohydrates. It contains about ¼ the DV (daily value) of vitamin E and potassium, 1/5 the DV of vitamins C, B3, and B2, 1/3 the DV of vitamins K and B6, almost half the DV of folate and copper, and over half the DV of vitamin B5. It also contains significant amounts of manganese and magnesium.

You’ll reduce the risk of heart disease by including avocados in your diet.

The high potassium in avocados helps regulate blood pressure and is necessary for nervous system functions. The US Department of Health and Human Services considers it a nutrient of public concern since most American diets don’t contain enough of it. Healthy fat, fiber, and other nutrients are all important for heart health. Consuming avocados improves the good, HDL, cholesterol and lowers the amount of bad, LDL, cholesterol.

Avocados may be high in fat and calories, but they could help you lose weight.

The high fat and fiber content, combined with the wealth of nutrients make avocados beneficial for weight loss. They fill you up and keep you feeling full longer. Studies show that people who have fiber in their diet tend to weigh less than those who don’t. Studies funded by the Hass Avocado Board indicate a diet containing avocados can help lose weight, maintain weight, and aid in losing belly fat.

  • Folate can help prevent birth defects. The high folate content makes it an excellent selection for women considering pregnancy and pregnant women. The high content of other nutrients adds to the benefit.
  • Avocados are high in anti-inflammatories. Chronic inflammation can also lead to heart disease and other serious conditions, such as Alzheimer’s, asthma, and arthritis.
  • The fiber avocados contain can aid your digestive system and improve your micro diversity which can benefit overall health. A healthy microbiome can also improve mental functioning and mood.
  • The lutein and zeaxanthin in avocados protect the eyes from UV rays. The high-fat content also helps boost beta-carotene absorption. High vitamin K content can improve bone health by aiding in calcium absorption.

For more information, contact us today at Rising Fitness Gym


How To Balance Your Hormones Naturally

How To Balance Your Hormones Naturally

If your hormones are out of balance, it can affect your body in many ways. It all depends on the hormone in question. In many cases, you can rebalance your hormones naturally. For instance, leptin, the satiety hormone, and ghrelin the hunger hormone can get out of balance if you don’t get enough sleep, causing the body to produce too much ghrelin and too little leptin. The solution is relatively easy. Get adequate sleep to reset these hormones.

Hormones are messengers.

People often think of sex hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone when they hear the word hormones, but there are so many more. Insulin, for instance, is a hormone. It tells the cells to open and uptake glucose. Too much sugar in your diet and too little exercise can cause insulin resistance. If you have insulin resistance, the cells don’t respond to insulin, so the glucose levels are high and the body produces more insulin. The excess insulin can cause weight to accumulate, especially around your midsection. A simple solution is a healthy diet and regular exercise.

If your sex hormones are out of balance, healthy eating helps.

Hormonal changes during menopause can affect the balance of hormones. Cutting out food with added sugar can help. Eating healthier can aid in solving the problem. Your body needs healthy fat to create hormones and maintain how they function, so including foods like avocado, eggs, and nuts are good options. High-quality protein like salmon is also necessary. Wild salmon is high in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D, the building blocks of hormones. Improving adrenal functioning helps balance sex hormones. Eating food like kale, bell peppers, pumpkin seed, and almonds helps.

Exercising can solve a lot of hormonal issues.

Cortisol, the stress hormone, can create a lot of problems. It can cause weight gain on the belly. You’ll burn off the hormones of stress when you work out. Estrogen dominance is a problem faced by many menopausal women. The symptoms include hot flashes, weight gain, and insomnia. Exercise helps rebalance estrogen. It also increases testosterone, which helps build muscle tissue, increases the human growth hormone—also known as the fountain of youth of hormones, and can improve the production of melatonin.

  • Adding green tea and more fiber to your diet and drinking it three times a day can help rebalance hormones. It helps improve the microbiome. Specific bacteria are necessary for the body to overproduce estrogen.
  • If weight gain is a problem, a vegetarian diet and abstinence from alcoholic beverages can help. Avoid sugar, too much caffeine, and soft drinks, both regular and no-calorie. Artificially sweetened drinks stimulate the production of the hunger hormone.
  • Probiotic foods help improve the gut microbiome. Don’t forget prebiotic foods that feed the beneficial microbes in the gut. Include food like sauerkraut, yogurt, and kefir for probiotics and apples, whole grain bread, and asparagus for prebiotics.
  • Find ways to deal with stress. Learn breathing techniques, meditation, or find ways to eliminate the stress. Stress can cause hormonal imbalance. Consult your healthcare professional if the problem continues.

For more information, contact us today at Rising Fitness Gym


What Is The Wellness Diet?

What Is The Wellness Diet?

When I researched the wellness diet after one of our members at Rising Fitness Gym in Houston, TX, asked about it, I was amazed. I quickly scanned the internet, thinking there would be an answer, but only found two articles specifically naming it and they were against any attempt to limit people’s diets, saying it created a negative vibe around food. Eating healthy or a diet focusing on wellness isn’t a specific diet, nor does it limit your choice of food. Instead, it focuses on making smarter choices when selecting food.

A healthy diet makes sense.

Nobody is trying to force people to eat certain foods when they recommend a healthy diet. It simply makes sense. Some foods contain more nutrients, so you get more for every bite. Other foods negatively affect the body, so every time you eat them, you’re subtracting benefits. Eating healthy involves consuming more food with benefits, like fresh fruits and vegetables, high-quality protein, and healthy fat, while avoiding those that have no benefits and may harm the body.

Sugar isn’t evil, but too much can cause inflammation.

Sugar is addictive. That sweet taste triggers opioid receptors in the brain and gives the body a dose of dopamine that makes you feel good. Products with added sugar and no redeeming qualities, like beneficial phytonutrients, vitamins, or minerals, cause inflammation. Chronic inflammation is linked to asthma, Alzheimer’s, cancer, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis. The more added sugar you eat, the less you can taste the sweetness. If you give up food with added sugar, everything will taste sweeter. Think of a healthy diet as an opportunity to enjoy the true taste of food more.

A wellness diet is created around your needs and food preferences.

There are an overwhelming number of healthy diets on the internet. One may be slightly better than another, but they all normally provide good nutrition. There are several problems with strict dieting. One of which is personal taste. No matter how fresh avocados may be, if you don’t like them, you won’t eat them. You may, however, eat guacamole, so include it in your diet instead. That’s personalizing the diet. If you can’t drink milk, get calcium from leafy greens. Eating a wide variety of whole food can ensure you create your wellness diet.

  • Foods with no benefits have empty calories. It’s why they’re often called “junk food.” If you eat food from the “junk food” group occasionally, it’s not a problem. Just don’t make it your complete diet.
  • A big change that can make a huge difference in your health is switching your soft drink to water or infused water. It cuts out the extra sugar, has zero calories, and if you choose infused water, is delicious.
  • Change the way you cook food for a real boost in health benefits. If you eat deep-fried food frequently, simply changing it to roasted, broiled, boiled, or grilled makes a difference.
  • A healthy diet is a diet filled with healthy foods. It includes a variety of food with a rainbow of colors on the plate. It’s not a strict diet, but one geared to your needs, personal taste, and budgetary restrictions.

For more information, contact us today at Rising Fitness Gym


The Best Foods To Fight Inflammation

The Best Foods To Fight Inflammation

There are two types of inflammation. One is acute, which responds to injury and helps protect the body. The other is chronic. It’s low-level inflammation that can damage the body. Foods like sugar can cause chronic inflammation, while other food can fight inflammation. An autoimmune disorder, poor diet, lingering bacteria or viral infection, and stress can create chronic inflammation that can cause heart disease, lead to digestive issues, like Crohn’s, or damage blood vessels or joints.

Foods that fight inflammation should be on your grocery list.

Stop at the produce section and you’ll find many foods that reduce chronic inflammation. Leafy greens, such as kale, spinach, collards, tomatoes, blueberries, strawberries, cherries, and oranges are at the top of the list. Nuts like almonds and walnuts are also inflammation fighters. In other departments, you’ll find olive oil and fatty fish like salmon or tuna that help reduce inflammation.

Some spices reduce inflammation.

Turmeric is one of the best-known inflammation fighters, especially since it was thought to help with Alzheimer’s that’s linked to inflammation, Ginger is another spice that aids inflammation. Ginger is known for its anti-inflammatory properties from shogaols and gingerols in ginger and is helpful for soothing stomachs and relieving the pain of arthritis. The capsaicin in cayenne pepper also has anti-inflammatory properties. Cinnamon, cloves, rosemary, and sage also aid in inflammation reduction.

Avoiding foods that cause inflammation can also reduce it.

Sometimes reducing inflammation comes not from what you eat, but from what you don’t eat. Cut out food with added sugar, which includes soft drinks and other sweet drinks. Sugar is in many foods you might not expect, like salad dressing, bread, and ketchup. Trans fats also cause inflammation. Some foods still have trans fats, like baked goods, crackers, and frozen pizza. Processed meat and red meat cause inflammation, just as food high in omega-6 fatty acids, like corn oil, peanut oil, and mayonnaise. Refined carbs, those using primarily white flour, can also cause inflammation.

  • Food with artificial sweeteners or high fructose corn syrup is even worse than those with sugar. They also cause inflammation, while doing even more to change the gut microbiome.
  • Pineapples and other food with bromelain can aid with digestion and help reduce inflammation in other areas of the body. Studies show it has a positive effect on people with arthritis.
  • Colorful fruits and vegetables are anti-inflammatory. The phytochemicals in the plant provide the benefit, like anthocyanin that makes blueberries blue.
  • Switch your drink of choice to tea. All types of tea, oolong, or green, provide anti-inflammatory properties. Herbal teas can also benefit the body. Ginger tea, chamomile tea, turmeric tea, and peppermint tea are a few choices.

For more information, contact us today at Rising Fitness Gym