The ABCs - I is For Inflammation & Inflammatory Food (Part 2)

The sad part about inflammatory diseases is that doctors prescribe all sorts of medication such as NSAIDS and painkillers to deal with the pain, acid blockers for the reflux, anti-spasmodic medication for the intestines in IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), diabetes medication, high blood medication, and the list goes on and on and on.

This made me wonder. What is the ROOT of all these inflammation?

The GUT

Did you know that two thirds of our body's immune system lies in the gut? They are all in the gastrointestinal tract! (Which means I'm screwed as my gastrointestinal issues have been multiplying!!!!)

So it all begins in the GUT!

An inflamed gut would result in GERD (gastrointestinal reflux), intestinal and abdominal bloating, frequent episodes of diarrhoea, frequent episodes of constipation, nausea, heartburn, excessive gas, and abdominal pain.

So what causes the gut to be inflamed?

Studies have shown that our diet today is the trigger for a lot of the inflammation which happen in our bodies.

Inflammatory Food

1. SUGAR

Foods which are loaded with sugar or even with high glycemic values cause the insulin in our body to shoot up. A few examples of food with high glycemic values are white bread, corn flakes, oatmeal, short grain white rice russet potato, pumpkin, pretzels, rice cakes, popcorn, saltine crackers, melons and pineapple. I don't think I need to list examples of food which are loaded with sugar. We all know what they are!

The immediate surge of blood sugar triggers a release of insulin into the body. This insulin levels will trigger eicosanoids which is a short-lived hormone inside our cells. The function of this eicosanoids hormone is to act as either a pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory compound. When insulin levels are high, these eicosanoids become confused and tends to lean towards the pro-inflammatory function.


2. HYDROGENATED & TRANS FATS

The food industry evolved where vegetable oils were concerned in the late 19th century when they discovered that by turning non-hydrogenated fats into partially hydrogenated oils allowed for easier transportation and wider usage. This was also very much cheaper than solid animal fats. And the oils would not go rancid so fast.

This process turns some polyunsaturated fatty acids into monosaturated and saturated fatty acids. When this occurs some of the saturated fatty acids are turned into 'trans fat'. And 'trans fat' raises the (LDL) cholesterol levels which are the bad cholesterol levels. Not only does it increase the bad cholesterol levels (LDL), it also decreases the good cholesterol levels (HDL). And this increases the risk for heart diseases and promotes inflammation in the body. Eating these kind of unhealthy oils can lead resistance to insulin in the body which can lead to diabetes.

Hydrogenated oils and 'trans fats' are used in margarines, commercially baked goods and snacks. And deep fried foods are food to absolutely avoid as these unhealthy oils are mostly used.

For more information, click on LINK.
You can also click HERE for more reading information.

(to be continued...)