Go into your kitchen and look inside your pantry and fridge. What you have in there can make a BIG difference in how you age.
There is a process in your body that plays such a huge role in aging that it has actually been called "inflammaging" -- inflammation plus aging.
Research shows that a key sign of aging is having more inflammatory markers in your bloodstream. Inflammation is your body's immune response to toxins as it tries to remove them. It can cause aches and pains -- and over the long term it can trigger chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, strokes, mood disturbances, and it is even linked with Alzheimer's.
Low-grade inflammation is highly influenced by your gut microbiome -- and by what you eat.
Science shows that changing your diet to include more anti-inflammatory foods can help slow, stop, or maybe even reverse low-grade inflammation.
Here is your anti-inflammatory food checklist:
- Vegetables -- a colorful array that includes tomatoes and leafy greens
- Fruits -- strawberries, blueberries, oranges, and more
- Nuts -- tree nuts like walnuts and almonds are a good source of healthy fats
- Fish -- especially fatty fish like salmon that contain omega-3 fatty acids
- Whole grains -- contain important vitamins and fiber
If you do not have many of those foods in your kitchen, think about adding them to your grocery list this weekend. Together, these foods provide antioxidants, fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, prebiotics, and polyphenols to help your body function optimally.
As you can see, it is not only what you do not eat that matters -- it is also what you DO eat! -- Sara Karman