We’ve been introduced to inflammation from various avenues and tolls on the body. One thing is for certain, we are helping inflammation in our body by the mere foods we consume.
Diet, exercise and medication can help reduce and control inflammation of course, but an easy step to take to stave off inflammation…reduce inflammatory causing foods and increase anti-inflammatory foods through our nutritional choices.

- Almonds
- Apples
- Avocados
- Broccoli
- Berries:blueberries
- Carrots
- Dry beans
- Kale
- Oranges
- Olive oil
- Dark leafy greens: kale, spinach, collard greens, Swiss chard
- Nuts
- Fatty Omega-3 rich fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel, wild Alaskan salmon, krill oil, +)
- Tomatoes
- Yogurt: low or no sugar
- Shiitake mushrooms
- Fermented: kefir, natto, kimchee, miso, tempeh, pickles, sauerkraut, olives
+Pregnant women should be careful not to consume too much fish because it is high in mercury.
SPICES: Every time you flavor your meals with herbs or spices you are literally “upgrading” your food without adding a single calorie.
- Tumeric/curcumin
- Rosemanry
- Cloves
- Cinnamon
- Jamaican allspice
- Apple pie spice mixture
- Oregano
- Pumpkin pie spice mixture
- Marjoram
- Sage
- Thyme
- Gourmet Italian spice
- Ginger
- Curry
- Boswellia serrata
- White willow bark extract
- Lemon grass essential oil
- Frankincense essential oil
- Natural supplement: probiotics
- Matcha Tea: green tea from Japan
- Tulsi Tea
Paths to Reduce Inflammation in the Body
- Reduce smoking
- Reduce excessive drinking
- Reduce excessive sugar consumption
- Eliminate processed foods: A diet high in omega-6 fatty acids, found in processed and fast foods, ( likewise, low in omega-3 fatty acids)
- Control stress
- Correct poor sleep habits
- Implement good exercise habits
- Take prescribed medications as directed
WebMD cautions that seeing changes in inflammation through diet instead of medication often takes a long time.
Sources:
- Dr. Mercola, MD Natural Medicine
- Shereen Lehman, About.com
- Joshua Corn, Editor-in-Chief of the Live in the Now newsletter: Curcumin stopagingnow
- Dr. Bereliani, Board Certified Cardiologist, Director at Beverly Hills Institute of Cardiology & Preventative Medicine: cardiackillr
- doTerra Essential Oils
- Harvard Health Publications
- Inspired nutrition
- WebMD; increased inflammation