10 Anti-Inflammatory Super Foods

By Carole Gayle

  

Anti-inflammatory drugs are effective in treating arthritis and other types of inflammation in the joints of many people. That said, anti-inflammatory drugs are not proven to be safe because there are side effects and long-term usage of these drugs such can weaken the immune system. There are ways to treat your arthritis without sacrificing your immunity. One option is to eat foods that help relieve inflammation. These are the 10 anti-inflammatory foods to eat:

1. Kelp: Kelp is an herbal plant that has fucoidan, a type of complex carbohydrate which is a good anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and anti-tumor. This is also a good food if you want to lose weight because this absorbs fat slowly. This can also help in the prevention of lung and liver cancer.

2. Wild Alaskan Salmon: This fish is a rich supplier of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids (Omega-3 fatty acids) that are known as a great natural remedy for inflammation. This is great for people with arthritis and other types of inflammation and it can also be of great benefit for heart disease and can also prevent cancer. You can find a dietary supplement for fish oils if you don't get enough fish in your diet.

3. Turmeric: Turmeric is a spice that you can find in your curry powder mix. The anti-inflammatory effects that it can give are as similar as the effects that some anti-inflammatory drugs can give you, minus the side effects.

4. Shiitake Mushrooms: This type of mushroom can improve your immune system and prevent arthritis because it contains some anti-inflammatory agents that are really good for people with inflammation in the joints.

5. Green Tea: This popular drink is a high source of flavonoids, the compound that is anti-inflammation. Green tea might also reduce your risk of cancer and heart problems.

6. Papaya: This fruit is great for arthritis because of the papain that it contains. This can lessen your inflammation, improve you digestion and speeds up the healing of burns.

7. Blueberry: This fruit is rich in antioxidants and is a high source of phytonutrients, the anti-inflammatory agent that makes this fruit beneficial for arthritis.

8. Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Polyphenols can be found in this oil and because of that, you will receive protection from inflammation when you take it.

9. Broccoli: This green and leafy vegetable contains anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer phytonutrients properties.

10. Sweet Potato: This root vegetable can do wonders for health because of the nutrients that it has. Sweet potatocontains manganese, vitamin B6, beta-carotene, Vitamin C, dietary fiber and some complex carbohydrates.

Diet is a powerful alternative treatment for arthritis. Arthritis and food has a connection and it is conceivable to treat arthritis just by including the above mentioned foods in your daily diet.

Carole Gayle is a freelance writer who focuses on health-related topics. Visit the Arthritis Pain Cure center for additional information about alternative medicine rheumatoid arthritis [http://www.arthritis-pain-cure.com/alternative_medicine.html] treatments, and to sign up for the free monthly newsletter.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Carole_Gayle/5526

http://ezinearticles.com/?10-Anti-Inflammatory-Super-Foods&id=6299616 

Why Are Blueberries A Great Heart Food?    

by Len Kluver

Why Are Blueberries A Great Heart Food, they have been known to help blood vessels become stronger against oxidative pressure that may be a cause to heart disease. That in turn may help increase blood circulation and protect your heart. They are known to slow down the build-up process of so-called "bad" cholesterol that aid in a stroke and cardiovascular disease. Blueberries are also extremely anti-inflammatory and their proanthocyanin performance is essentially protecting our cardiovascular system.

There are several major diseases that are associated with cardiovascular disease that is part of the heart and circulatory structure. Coronary heart disease or also known as ischemic heart disease is known to be the number one cause of death, approximately 40% of those in the cardiovascular disease group. This disease caused by the narrowing of the coronary arteries, those vessels that supply blood to the heart muscle are known to buildup plaque, a cholesterol-rich fatty deposit on the walls of the artery, a development known as atherosclerosis.

Other diseases in cardiovascular disease group are angina pectoris, heart attack, stroke, high blood pres¬sure, rheumatic heart disease, peripheral heart disease, congenital heart disease, and congestive heart failure. Envision 50,000,000 people in the United States that are dealing with what is known as €the silent killer€, high blood pres-sure, 12,000,000 enduring coronary heart disease, 6,000,000 experiencing angina pectoris, and 7,000,000 suffering from a heart attack. As you can see, the cardiovascular group of diseases unfortunately, comes in several types of diseases.

Why are blueberries a great heart food, they have a high level of antioxidants known be directly related with cardiovascular well-being. Oxygen and oxygen radicals stream through the cardiovascular system, gradually and regularly 24 hours a day each year as tissues and organs become subject to damage as a result of radicals. Antioxidants also play a vital part in protecting the nervous system, vascular capillary system, the heart muscles and providing nutritional maintenance of cardiovascular tissues Antioxidants decrease and restore damage initiated by oxy¬gen radicals in the heart, lungs and circulatory system everywhere in the body.

In an attempt to decrease cholesterol levels in blood plasma and bad cholesterol, blueberry enhancements in general has been shown to be beneficial. They have shown to be beneficial in the process of regulating blood pressure and having a generally helpful outcome on blood vessel activity. Due primarily to a greater volume of the antioxidant anthocyanin, studies have shown that blueberry wine to have 2.42 mmol of these protecting plant com-pounds are more beneficial to good cardio protection than red wine which contains 2.04 mmol of free radical absorbing antioxidants.

Why are blueberries a great heart food, they are known to be number one for their high content of fiber, an abundance of antioxidants, along with the capability of eliminating bad cholesterol in the body, known to cure heart disease, which makes the blueberry a perfect addition to any healthy diet.

Currently there is ongoing research into possible benefits that blueberries may lessen the danger of blood clots and to lessen the frequency of cardiovascular disease. Another benefit is the strong effect they have on cholesterol. A compound discovered in blueberries known as Pterostilbene has known likely for being established into a nutraceutical to be used to reduce cholesterol, fight obesity and heart disease.

Research has shown that by reducing inflammation in the arteries around the heart, it will function longer and more efficiently. Nutrients in some well-known foods that have high levels of antioxidants perform as anti-inflammatory agents to protect the heart muscle from destruction. Antioxidants have been very supportive in protecting cardiovascular health. Various antioxidant vitamins and phytoantioxidants have been known in conducting a key role in lessening the danger of cardiovascular disease. 

http://goarticles.com/article/Why-Are-Blueberries-A-Great-Heart-Food/5719702/