LIST OF ANTI-INFLAMMATORY FOODS

	indicates "Best Choices" according to some doctors & scientists supplying the info. 1-3 check marks ranked by Toma.
	Indicates undesirable choices

  * (Asterisk) indicates "Best Choices" according to some doctors & scientists supplying the info.
     + (Plus sign) indicates that it available in pills or capsules, in addition to being available as a food.

• Persons taking supplements, herbs, alternative medications should continue with their normal medications as prescribed unless their physician orders changes. 
• Have your physician review proposed additions, deletions, or changes in dosages of all supplements, herbs, alternative medications, etc
• Persons with kidney damage likely have a "renal" diet that limits their intake of protein and potassium.  This page   does not apply to renal patients.  Follow your renal diet as given you by  your physician or dietician.

• The whole flaxseed can be stored at room temperature indefinitely.
  • Flaxseed can be ground an inexpensive coffee grinder that works very well and can be bought for about $9.
    
  • Once flaxseed is ground, it goes rancid quickly, so it is best to buy whole seeds and grind only as much as you will use each day.
  • Flaxseeds contain the vegetible form of Omega-3 (ALA) and they swell up after consumption so one feels "full" sooner.
    • Omega-3 fats break down the undesirable fat in our bodies and carry it out of the body, promoting weight loss and they reduce inflammation. 

• Evening Primrose Oil (potent anti-inflammatory, in addition to being useful for relapsing and recurring autoimmune diseases.
  • Studies show that it may enable proper functioning of T- cells. 
    
  • It contains Omega-6 oil, so one needs to consume plenty Omega-3 oils for a healthy balance of the two)

    GRAINS

• Eating whole grains do not promote weight gain like the refined white carbohydrates do. Buckwheat is not technically a grain but is used like a grain and is often included as a grain. See out Recipe section for some ideas

• Gingko may help with memory, but it is not an anti-inflammatory. 
• Many of the herbs are available in pills or capsules but are far beter consumed as while foods.
• Rosehips (available as tea).
  

• All beans and pulses
  

•  Avoid grapefruit if you are on cytoxan.  It may interfere with other meds as well, so ask your physician.
• Cranberry capsules may help prevent urinary tract infections.
• Acai is available at health food stores, juice or whole fruit.

•   * Omega 3 Fish Oil Capsules - (not cod liver oil - it must say omega-3 fish oil)

• Green Tea (over 50 anti-inflammatories- available in decaffeinated.  Don't consume within two hours of ingesting walnuts or other omega 3 oils.
  

• Bromelain between meals cuts down on mucus.

• Calcium &Vitamin D (If on prednisone or other corticosteroid, take 4 hrs away from prednisone).
• Folic acid  (needed if on Methotrexate or ordered by physician, 1-5 mg/day).
• Bromelain (between meals may reduce mucus).
  
• The many supplements add up at the cash register.
  
  • They run out at different times, the costs are spread out over time.
    
  • They also take up quite a bit of cabinet or counter space.

•  Most sugars get converted to glucose for use as energy sources in mitochondria, so virtually all sugars are somewhat inflammatory.
  • Some sugars take longer to get converted and so are slower to raise the glucose level.
    • For example, fructose (not high fructose corn syrup, HFCS) takes longer than sucrose.  It has a better glycemic index, but that's misleading as it's only metabolized in the liver and it's negative effect on insulin levels is greater.
      

• There are good and not-so-good, or perhaps bad and not so bad.
  • Not all sugars are the same.
  • Any substance that raises the blood glucose level is inflammatory to some extent.
  • Some would argue that the body cannot distinguish between a refined and an unrefined sugar.
    • Others claim important nutrients, necessary for the digestion of the sugar, are lost in the refining process.
  • Too much of the "wrong" sugar can cause health problems as can too much of the "right" sugars.
  • Sugar alcohols, or polyols, occur naturally in plants and are added to foods for sweetness.
    • Sugar alcohols, or polyols, can cause stomach upset.
    • ‘Compared with sugar, they are less caloric and their effect on blood sugar is less dramatic.
  • Opinions may vary, but high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is made through a many stage process that is seems more chemical than extractive. 
    
    • In a 2007 interview, a qualified researcher stated his opinion that widespread use HFCS is a major contributor to obesity.
  • Table sugar (sucrose) consists of about half-in-half glucose and fructose and is best minimized in the diet.
    

Note: Most sugars will have a negative impact on blood glucose levels. Raw cane juice, concentrated grape juice and other food labeling names are still just sugar. (sucrose) These terms are used to ovoid putting sugar in the ingredient list since consummers are starting to look at the sugars in foods.

    SUGAR ALCOHOLS (Better)

Want a truly safe alternative sweetener? Stevia has recently received

   TIPS

• Take calcium 4 hours away from prednisone as they counteract each other if taken together.

• A study report on how glutathione works to combat autoimmune diseases is available on-line.

• Dr. Pericone has developed an anti-inflammatory diet to fight disease and premature aging.
  
  • He discovered that his patients were losing weight on the diet, so it is being marketed as a weight loss and disease fighting diet.