When we think of inflammation I guess most will automatically think of arthritis however low grade chronic inflammation can also play an ongoing part in other diseases such as autoimmune disorders, for example rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and polymyalgia rheumatica where our body’s immune system mistakenly sets up an inflammatory response although there’s no inflammation to fight off. Other inflammatory diseases include inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease, colitis and ulcerative colitis.  Moringa oleifera, because of it’s anti-inflammatory qualities may be beneficial in treatment of these diseases.

Some migraine sufferers find if they follow an anti inflammatory diet their migraine headaches subside.  When migraines are caused by low grade chronic inflammation, taking a supplement like Moringa oleifera may also be worthwhile.

Low grade chronic inflammation is believed to be the source of many diseases including cancer, obesity and heart disease which could therefore mean it’s the foremost cause of deaths in the western world. 

Quite often there will be no indication of chronic inflammation until illness occurs. Chronic inflammation can be present in your body for years with no obvious signs.

It is low grade and systemic quietly and insidiously causing damage to your tissues without you even being aware until of course you become unwell.It is obvious how extremely important it is to prevent chronic inflammation in our body. Supplementing with Moringa Oleifera may be a great way to prevent chronic inflammation.

Cycooxygenase-2 is one of the key enzymes in our body which assists the body in producing the inflammatory compounds which are necessary when we suffer an infection or an injury.  These inflammatory compounds in such cases are essential for the healing process.  However when the body generates excessive amounts of these key enzymes, we then suffer from chronic inflammation and pain. The phytonutrients contained in the Moringa oleifera may directly help the body to restrain and control those key enzymes which cause joint pain or those nagging pains caused by exercise or general wear and tear i.e. old age! 

The Moringa “Miracle Tree” boasts an amazing 30% plant-based protein, 90+ all-natural vitamins and minerals, all 8 essential amino acids, 46 powerful antioxidants, omega’s 3, 6 and 9, calcium, potassium, iron, zinc and Vitamins A, K and C.

Other than Moringa here are 10 foods which will help you fight inflammation.

Foods that Cause Inflammation

Here are the top ten worst offending foods that can contribute or trigger inflammation:

1. Refined Sugar

No surprises that sugar is at the top of the list. Sugar found in fizzy drinks, pastries and cakes, sweets, and snack bars, all increase levels of glucose in our body, which our bodies cannot process quickly enough. This increases levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the body, increasing levels of inflammation in the body. Sugar also suppresses the immune system and makes it more susceptible to diseases and infection.

2. Vegetable Oil

Vegetables oils from corn, canola, soybean and safflower and all the products that contain them (even vegan “butter” spreads), are high in omega-6 fats (the bad ones, not the good ones like those found in evening primrose oil), which reduces the balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fats. When the body gets out of balance in these fats, inflammation is a result.

3. Dairy Products

All dairy products are high in saturated fats, which are naturally inflammation-causing in some people. It is also a common allergen as our bodies have trouble digesting lactose and casein proteins. For many people dairy is seen as a foreign invader in the body, in which the bodily response is an inflammatory “attack”.

4. Wheat, Rye, and Barley

These wheat-containing grains all contain a common allergen – gluten. The body responds with an inflammatory immune response when confronted by allergens, and so the resulting effects can be body pain, mucus production (runny nose, coughing up mucus), and tiredness.

5. Fried Foods

Fried foods are another trigger for inflammation. They contain high levels of inflammatory advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which are formed when anything is cooked to high temperatures, smoked, dried, fried, pasteurised or grilled.

6. Refined Flour

Refined flour, in other words, anything that is white and not whole-wheat, has been stripped of slow-digesting fibres and nutrients, which means your body breaks down these items very quickly. This will spike insulin levels, resulting in a pro-inflammatory body response.

7. Red Meat

When we consume red meat, a chemical called Neu5gc is produced. This chemical spurs cancer progression and produces an inflammatory response in the body.

8. Processed Corn

Corn is in many products. You really need to be careful to avoid this one. There are a variety of corn derivatives like high-fructose corn syrup, corn flour, and corn oil. Eating corn in these refined forms spikes blood sugar and as we have seen above, spiked blood sugar leads to an increased insulin response, which creates a major inflammatory response.

9. Artificial Chemicals and Additives

Anything artificially created, like chemicals and additives in foods, are not recognised by the body. They are foreign, and so naturally, the body needs to defend itself from these synthetic compounds, which means an inflammatory immune system response.

10. Trans Fats

Trans fats, aside from causing cancer, also create low-density lipoproteins, which feed inflammation. Trans fats are found in hydrogenated oils and many processed foods.

“Control of Inflammation