There’s a common denominator for most common chronic illnesses: inflammation. Low grade, chronic inflammation to be precise.
This type of inflammation is always there, running in the background. It makes your body less efficient by mounting an attack against itself. It can be very harmful and contribute to serious illness.
For example, chronic inflammation is almost inseparable from heart disease conditions, diabetes, arthritis, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease. Chronic inflammation can also leave you susceptible to other forms of illness, and it limits immune strength.
So, how do you get your body to stop attacking itself? Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. However, some significant steps to reduce inflammation include weight loss, increased activity, and a healthy diet.
Antioxidant intake can help, too. Antioxidants are compounds that help cells stay strong. They fight oxidative stress and inflammation and are associated with a host of health benefits. These benefits are generally related to lowering the risk of chronic inflammation.
You get antioxidants from the food you eat. There are several you may have heard of, such as vitamin C and vitamin E, that have daily recommended intakes. Others, such as polyphenols, don’t have the same recommendations.
But that doesn’t mean they aren’t healthful.
There are a number of plant-based antioxidants that contribute to lower inflammation and healthier cells. Even though researchers are looking at all of them, with limited data on many, there is evidence that antioxidants of any variety can have health benefits.
You can generally find these antioxidants in high amounts in colorful fruits and vegetables that are easily added to your diet. Berries, leafy greens, apples, carrots, and green tea can all offer these healthful compounds.
If you’re working on getting inflammation under control to improve your overall health, don’t overlook these valuable nutrients. Try to include as many as possible to encourage cellular health and stable immune function.
