4 Foods that increase inflammation and pain

Four foods to avoid that trigger Inflammation

In our previous blog post, we discussed how certain foods, superfoods in our diet if you like, can help reduce inflammation and pain. Couple this with exercise, stress management and adequate sleep and you are surely on your way to a healthier life. However, the benefits of these can be nullified when we don’t keep certain habits in check such as with smoking and consumption of processed foods. Here are 4 Foods that should be avoided to let the superfoods work their best.

1. Saturated and Trans-Fats

A recent systematic review of over 14 longitudinal studies concluded that individuals with a high body fat percentage are more susceptible to chronic low back pain pain, inflammation and swelling of joints. We also know from research that saturated and trans fats are especially implicated with respect to many ill-effects on health. Certain saturated long chain fatty acids found in foods such as red meats, butter, cocoa milk butter, palm kernel oil and peanut oil have been shown to have a causal relationship with osteoarthritis. Trans fatty acids activate multiple pathways producing various inflammatory markers causing a myriad of unhealthy outcomes. Also, for unsaturated fatty acids, the ratio of omega 3 should be maintained against omega 6 by replacing parts of vegetable oils with soyabean oil, flaxseed oil and incorporating various fish and fish oils in diet.

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2. Added Sugars 

We know from research that the body reacts with an increase in inflammatory response due to consumption of food and beverages containing high quantities of sugar. Sugars cause an imbalance in mineral metabolism which produces free radicals, that are highly inflammatory in nature. We are not asking you to completely completely cut sugar from your life. Only use it in moderation. Skip eating that whole donut. Indulge in wedge to satisfy that sweet tooth.

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3. Artificial Sweeteners

Artificial sweeteners like aspartame, irrespective of whether they are consumed within or over the recommended limits, is known to cause oxidative stress and disrupt the oxidant/antioxidant balance, damages the integrity of cell membrane which can affect various body tissues causing deregulation of cellular function, eventually causing systemic inflammation.

Emerging new evidence in small animals and humans is also suggestive of impacting the gut microbiome and its modulation of immune function (a decreased immune response can promote inflammation). Some artificial sweeteners also cause stomach discomfort, bloating and can induce a laxative effect.

Other examples of popular artificial sweeteners include acesulfame, advantame, neotame, saccharin and sucralose. There are also sugar alcohols (they are not the same as those found in alcoholic beverages) such as sorbitol, isolmalt, lactitol, maltitol, mannitol and xylitol that are used in foods such as sugar-free chewing gums.

We would also like to point out that all the above mentioned artificial sweeteners have been fully approved both by the US-FDA and Health Canada for use in food and beverages. They also seem to play a role in diabetics who wish to sweeten their food.

The key emphasis here though is on moderation and to read the food-labels for the presence of these ingredients before you make your choice.

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4. Highly Processed foods

Processed foods are loaded with sugars, fats, sodium salts, refined ingredients and harmful additives. Artificial ingredients and preservatives, even if in their permissible limits, together form a hazardous cocktail of chemicals that are inflammatory in nature. Moreover, refined flour, saturated and trans fats, and sugars cause weight gain which can also be a pro-inflammatory factor and can cause a vicious cycle that can be hard to get out of.

Examples of highly processed foods include

• sugary drinks
• chocolate and candies
• ice cream and frozen desserts
• fast foods like French fries and burgers
• frozen entrées like pasta dishes and pizzas
• bakery products like muffins, buns and cakes
• processed meats like sausages and deli meats

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Smoking (Not a food, but contributes to the vicious cycle!)

Definitely not a food item, rather a habit that should be given up entirely. Besides the myriad of health issues implicated due to smoking, joint pain and swelling are triggered through several mechanisms in response to smoking. It activates the immune system causing structural, physical, biological, and enzymatic changes. These changes in turn increase the levels of various inflammatory compounds in the body that contribute to rheumatoid arthritis.

We also want you to be mindful that it is not just first hand smoke which can cause systemic inflammation, but also second-hand smoke. We know from recent research conducted  that smokers are three time as likely to suffer from chronic pain than non-smokers.

Key Takeaways

• While moderation in intake of the foods such as sugars, fats, artificial sweeteners and processed foods  is highly recommended, we would also like to place emphasis on cutting down and eventually giving up habits such as cigarette smoking.
• It is important to remember that having plenty of salads and fruits in one meal does not counter the effects of oxidative stress induced by pro-inflammatory foods.

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