Anti-inflammatory diet
The anti-inflammatory diet is a therapeutic approach that utilizes specific foods to manage and prevent chronic degenerative diseases characterized by inflammation. This diet is primarily associated with conditions such as arthritis, certain cancers, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, inflammatory bowel disease, autoimmune diseases, and cognitive issues. Research indicates that the diet can improve health outcomes by including nutrient-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and healthy fats, particularly omega-3 fatty acids found in sources such as fish and flax seeds.
Studies have shown that the anti-inflammatory diet may help reduce inflammation markers in the body, thereby alleviating symptoms associated with chronic illnesses. For instance, evidence suggests that adhering to an anti-inflammatory diet can lead to improvements in joint health for individuals with rheumatoid arthritis and may enhance overall wellbeing in older adults by mitigating inflammation-related risks. The Mediterranean diet is often highlighted as a prime example of an anti-inflammatory dietary pattern, emphasizing whole foods and beneficial nutrients.
While there are generally no reported adverse side effects, individuals are encouraged to monitor for any food sensitivities when making significant dietary changes. This diet is thus considered a safe and effective strategy for promoting health and managing inflammation-related conditions.
Anti-inflammatory diet
DEFINITION: Therapy that uses food with anti-inflammatory activities to treat and prevent chronic degenerative diseases.
PRINCIPAL PROPOSED USES: Arthritis, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, inflammatory bowel disease, autoimmune diseases, cognitive conditions
OTHER PROPOSED USES: Headaches, pain management
Overview
Numerous evidence-based research studies in the twenty-first century support the use of anti-inflammatory diets to treat and prevent chronic degenerative diseases. These studies examined dietary properties that included raw versus processed, organic versus commercially grown, and natural versus genetically modified. The studies also examined the dietary effects of herbs and spices, fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, grains and legumes, minerals and vitamins, phytochemicals and polyunsaturated fatty acids such as omega-3.
Mechanism of Action
Few direct or indirect pathways (based on the specific inflammatory biomarkers) explain how the anti-inflammatory diet works. The eicosanoid-related anti-inflammatory pathway is typical for foods with high omega-3 fatty acid content. This pathway decreases levels of arachidonic acid and inflammatory mediators such as cytokines, related prostaglandins, and related metabolites. This process also decreases the activities of inflammatory cells in the immune system.
Food with active phytochemicals (resveratrol and epigallocatechin gallate) work through an inhibitory effect on nuclear transcription (for example, nuclear transcription factor) and through a signaling process.
Therapeutic Uses
Research studies show that the anti-inflammatory diet could be used as a therapy for chronic degenerative diseases with chronic inflammation as a common denominator. These diseases include diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, certain cancers, arthritis, osteoporosis, and other immune system disorders. An anti-inflammatory diet can also be used for autoimmune conditions like irritable bowel syndrome.
Scientific Evidence
Evidence-based research shows that an anti-inflammatory diet is beneficial in treating many chronic degenerative disease conditions. A 2003 double-blind, cross-over study included sixty-eight persons diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Participants were divided into two groups for eight months of observation. One group was on a regular Western diet, and the other was on an anti-inflammatory diet with specific regulations on arachidonic acid (low intake). Both groups received placebo or fish oil capsules for three months. People on the anti-inflammatory diet, but not those on the typical Western diet, showed improvements in tender and swollen joints and even higher improvements when fish oil was added. This study showed that an anti-inflammatory diet can augment the beneficial effects of any single, added anti-inflammatory food component.
In a 2010 double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study with a treatment period of five weeks, thirty-six healthy overweight persons received what was called an anti-inflammatory dietary mix (AIDM), which included green tea extract, resveratrol (grape extract), vitamin C, vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol), tomato extract, and omega-3 fatty acid. Human and animal research studies describe all of these food components as anti-inflammatory. Serum and urine inflammatory biomarkers were measured. The AIDM brought about a decrease in inflammation and oxidative stress (a marker for risk of inflammation) and changes in lipid metabolism (with reduced triglycerides and improved endothelial function).
In a 2010 single-blind, randomized study, thirty-five persons diagnosed with obesity and metabolic syndrome were put on either an anti-inflammatory diet (consisting of green tea or green tea extract) or no diet for eight weeks. The group on green tea beverages or green tea extract showed lower interleukin (one of the biomarkers for inflammation) levels.
A study published in Biomedicines in 2021 indicated that an anti-inflammatory diet helps aging people. If it becomes chronic, inflammation can stimulate the development of cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disease, neurological disease, and cancer. The researchers concluded that the compounds in an individual's diet with anti-inflammatory activity could alleviate the inflammatory processes derived from diseases and unhealthy diets and promote healthy aging. Other studies indicated that an anti-inflammatory diet reduces the risk of heart disease by lowering inflammation in blood vessel walls and maintaining resilience. In the 2010s and 2020s, several studies have shown anti-inflammatory diets can improve cognitive function, reduce chronic pain, and lower the risk of chronic conditions. These studies have advocated using a Mediterranean diet, focusing on fruits, vegetables, legumes, seafood, nuts, and olive oil. The Mediterranean diet is naturally anti-inflammatory and includes whole foods and elements, such as omega-3 fatty acids, polyphenols, vitamins, minerals, and probiotics.
Safety Issues
No adverse side effects have been reported with the use of the anti-inflammatory diet. However, beneficial changes in bowel habits can occur in the beginning. Care should also be taken when introducing new foods that may cause sensitivities or unknown allergies.
Bibliography
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