The type of foods you eat has a big effect on inflammation. Some foods increase inflammation, while others reduce it. In fact, a diet high in anti-inflammatory foods is thought to be one of the best ways to fight inflammation.
Anti-inflammatory foods include:
Probiotics, coffee, green tea, extra dark chocolate and red wine might also help lower the inflammation in your body.
Avoid these inflammatory foods:
When you exercise your muscles produce proteins that can help to reduce inflammation. Exercising regularly also protects you against belly fat, which is thought to increase inflammation. Yoga, Tai Chi, and Qi Gong are types of moderate physical activity that also combine behavioural therapies, like deep breathing, which lower inflammation.
If you’re overweight or obese, losing fat helps lower inflammation.
There’s a direct link between smoking and increased inflammation. Even exposure to second-hand smoke increases inflammation. After just a few weeks of no smoking, your inflammation levels are lower and your body is already well on its way to healing itself.
Mindfulness, breathing exercises, and yoga are all great ways to fight chronic stress.
The problem with chronic inflammation is that it can go undetected until something serious happens, like a heart attack. But there are some blood tests to check if you’re suffering from chronic inflammation:
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