The Anti-Inflammatory Diet: What To Consider

ACUTE INFLAMMATION IS THE CORNER STONE of many ailments that brings a patient to a chiropractor, but there is also chronic inflammation, which is the root cause of most age-related diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and dementia. Many patients seeing a chiropractor have both acute and chronic inflammation. Being overweight or obese causes the body to release inflammatory compounds, which do not subside until weight loss occurs, even with concomitant dietary manipulations. To control inflammation weight loss needs to occur first, followed by consumption of an anti-inflammatory diet. Amelioration of chronic inflammation requires a dietary pattern that reduces excess body fat and contains anti-inflammatory foods. A prudent, nutrient-dense, whole-foods diet satisfies both criteria. Numerous anti-inflammatory dietary approaches are available, but all are not science-based. It is difficult enough for patients to adopt any new dietary change, so imposing those that have no effect, seems pointless. The purpose of this review is to provide evidence-based information about dietary patterns, foods, and specific nutrients that promote weight loss and lower chronic inflammation. Included is a simple rating system to determine the inflammatory impact of a food or meal. Adopting an anti-inflammatory diet will promote weight loss and reduce systemic chronic inflammation.