Your patients can benefit from an anti-inflammatory diet.
Inflammation is the new holistic buzzword. It stands at the forefront of health concerns. Because research has indicated that subclinical inflammation is at the core of many health problems,1 Time magazine has called inflammation a “secret killer.”2
Inflammation appears to be associated with many chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity, and musculoskeletal degeneration.3-5 Diet can be a major contributor to subclinical inflammation, which is not readily detectable.6,7
What is inflammation?
Inflammation is part of the body’s natural defense system. Typical inflammation is expressed by pain, swelling, redress, and heat.8 Subclinical inflammation, while difficult to diagnose through routine bloodwork and physical examination, can be present at low levels like a smoldering fire within the body. When your immune system shifts out of balance, your body senses foreign invaders and sets off a cascade of events that slowly contribute to disease and weight gain.9,10
Causes of inflammation
The body responds with systemic or chronic inflammation to a number of well-known causes:
- Poor diet: e.g., consumption of trans fats; overconsumption of sugars, white flour, processed foods, and saturated fats
- Lack of exercise
- Stress
- Hidden food allergens
- Bacterial or viral infections11-13
- Environmental toxins: e.g, BPA, phthalates, acrylamide, mold14,15
- Faulty movement patterns
Inflammation leads to aging and chronic diseases. It is also by far the leading contributor to obesity.16 Being overweight is being inflamed.
An anti-inflammatory diet
Since food is a potentiator for inflammation, hidden sensitivities and allergies to common and popular foods are making your patients sick and overweight. While individuals who are extremely allergic to certain foods have a hypersensitivity reaction, others may have a delayed response that can take up to 72 hours to manifest as subclinical inflammation.
Why patients become sensitive to foods
A number of things can change gut bacteria populations and damage the gut lining, which is a critical barrier for a healthy immune system. You can become sensitive to foods through a faulty diet, sedentary lifestyle, consumption of NSAIDs, and antibiotic medication without collateral probiotic therapy.
Increased permeability of your intestinal tract leads to leaky gut syndrome. Undigested food particles and toxins that should be blocked make their way into the blood stream in a leaky gut scenario. This ignites the immune system and raises levels of subclinical inflammation.18-21
The 5R protocol
A properly functioning digestive system is critical to good health. Furthermore, research has confirmed the effectiveness of a regimen called the 5R program:22
- Remove the offending substances from a patient’s diet including grain containing gluten and dairy products.
- Replace digestive enzymes. Add betaine HCL and bile acids required for proper digestion.23
- Re-inoculate the gut tract with probiotics. These well-researched probiotics are specific strains of acidophilus and bifidus bacteria to help promote an optimal balance of GI microflora. Probiotics should be taken along with a prebiotic such as inulin or fructooligosaccherides. Prebiotics are specific fibers that are a food source for friendly probiotic organisms.24,25
- Regenerate the GI mucosa lining by adding such nutrients as antioxidants, selenium, zinc, L-glutamine, turmeric, ginger, pantothenic acid, omega-3 fish oil, vitamin E, glycines, humulus lupulus, and a rice protein.26-29
- Retain the health and function of your GI tract with a proper lifestyle.
Damage control
Chronic and degenerative conditions can be prevented and controlled by adhering to an anti-inflammatory protocol. Proper diet and nutritional supplements remain the cornerstone for reducing subclinical inflammation and promoting optimal health.
Implementing the 5R program has been shown in research to be an effective way to treat subclinical inflammation. After all, true health begins from within.
Robert Silverman, DC, CNS, CCN, CSCS, CKTP, CES, CIISN, DACBN, DCBCN, HKC, SASTM, teaches seminars nationwide and in Canada and has a successful sports injury and performance private practice in Westchester County, New York. He can be reached at drrobertsilverman.com, info@drrobertsilverman.com, or through erchonia.com.
References:
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2 Gorman C. Inflammation: The Secret Killer. Time. Feb. 23, 2004.
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4 Desai A, et al. META060 inhibits multiple kinases in the NF-κB pathway and suppressed LPS-mediated inflammation in vitro and ex vivo. Inflamm Res. 2009;58(5):229-34.
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22 Bland S, Hyman M. (2014). The Disease Delusion: Conquering the Causes of Chronic Illness for a Healthier, Longer, and Happier Life. (p. 115-118). South Brunswick, NJ: HarperWave.
23 Jockers D. “The destructive nature of leaky gut syndrome.” Natural News. http://www.naturalnews.com/037033_leaky_gut_syndrome_flora_microorganisms.html. Published Aug. 7, 2012. Accessed Feb 2, 2015.
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