Diet For Inflammation

Obesity is intimately associated with chronic inflammation which increases the risk of developing chronic noncommunicable diseases. Find out how to diet to treat inflammation, lower risk factors, and improve your health.

When approaching chronic diseases associated with inflammation,  it is necessary to adopt a diet that supports treatment. So, be aware that some foods can be harmful while others have beneficial properties. How to diet for inflammation? Find out now.

The diet for inflammation and CNCDs

For starters,  chronic noncommunicable diseases (CNDs) have a common origin: inflammation. Chronic inflammation is the main pathogenic factor in metabolic disorders that increase the likelihood of developing chronic degenerative disease.

More primarily, inflammation is a key element in the pathogenesis of endothelial dysfunction as well as in atherosclerosis. Therefore, dieting for inflammation is one of the mainstays for the prevention and treatment of this type of diseases.

What is inflammation?

According to the study by Strowig T et al in 2012,  acute inflammation is a biological response to infection or tissue damage  to initiate healing and repair of vascular tissue. The clinical signs that characterize it are heat, reddening and pain. These are produced by factors such as cytokines, chemokines, reactive oxygen species and coagulation factors.

Although acute inflammation is characterized by its defensive reaction character,  when it persists for a prolonged period, it becomes a chronic problem. Inflammation contributes to the pathogenesis of multiple diseases, according to a study published in the journal Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences .

This is done through the regulation of transcription factors (and primarily tumor necrosis factor, NFKB) and members of the interferon regulatory factor (IRF) family that  trigger the expression of inflammatory, immune and antiviral genes.

Obesity and silent inflammation

The expression of genes and the increased production of pro-inflammatory substances are proportionately related to the amount of adipose tissue in humans and animal models. Therefore, in individuals with obesity,  we speak of the presence of sustained and chronic inflammation,  which contributes to the pathogenesis of the host.

These alterations mainly include damage in sensitivity to the action of insulin, pancreatic beta cell dysfunction, non-alcoholic liver disease and atherosclerosis.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2017, obesity (defined as an excess of abnormal adiposity that can be harmful to health)  reached incidence proportions comparable to an epidemic during these years. decades.

Obesity and the metabolic syndrome

Obesity is associated with multi-organic alterations of an inflammatory nature with a chronic impact on the metabolic level (mainly pancreatic, adipose, hepatic, cardiac and musculoskeletal). These alterations, taken together, define the metabolic syndrome.

The metabolic syndrome has a multifactorial origin. Nevertheless,  the environment in which each individual develops will determine the expression of genes with their respective metabolic alterations. To speak of the environment means to speak of food.

A diet high in fats of animal origin and processed products, products with a high content of sugars and with a low consumption of vegetables and fruits is associated with excess weight, increased glucose in the blood , blood pressure, among others.

The role of diet for inflammation

Numerous studies, such as the one published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences by Tuttolomondo A. et al in 2019 highlight  the important role of eating patterns in  preventing the risk of developing disease, treating it or reducing mortality.

The Mediterranean diet has been studied extensively because of its impact on reducing inflammation biomarkers. This is the case for hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, central adiposity, arterial hypertension, among others.

According to Sears B. et al in 2015,  dieting for inflammation involves the following things:

• Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation  (between 2-3 g of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid per day).
• Calorie restriction  with an adequate balance between the main nutrients (carbohydrates, proteins and fats); calculation carried out by a nutritionist.
• Include plants rich in bioactive compounds, known as polyphenols,  which are responsible for inhibiting the NFKB transcription factor.

These changes will have an impact on the removal of genes that are responsible for the production of pro-inflammatory substances. This is more particularly the case of those present in chronic inflammation.

They will also activate the AMP kinase signaling pathway. This complex acts as a cell energy detector and helps in energy balance as well as in the consumption of calories.

The Mediterranean diet

The Mediterranean diet is not a homogeneous or exclusive diet model for countries around the Mediterranean Sea (Spain, Italy, Portugal, Greece, Croatia, among others).

Even though this is a model with high consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grain cereals, lean meats, seeds and olive oil,  each country has its own eating habits. These are influenced by socio-cultural, religious and economic factors.

The diet to treat inflammation

Since this is a diet with an adequate intake of unsaturated fats (mainly omega-3), a low intake of saturated and trans fats  .

As well as a large presence of bioactive compounds thanks to the inclusion of products of plant origin and the consumption of natural and unprocessed sugar, the Mediterranean diet has many biological effects on health. It particularly regulates the factors associated with metabolic syndrome:

Diabetes

• Starting by helping to reduce insulin resistance.
• Decreased plasma glucose concentration.
• Increase in the production of GLP-1 incretins (intestinal hormones that promote insulin production).

Dyslipidemia

• Reduction in LDL cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations.
• Increased HDL cholesterol and production of adiponectin.
• Finally, decrease in the reabsorption, at the intestinal level, of bile acids and cholesterol.

Cardiovascular illnesses

• Reduction in the production of foam cells involved in the formation of atheromatous plaque.
• Regulation of systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
• Promotes vasodilation.
• Improves the elasticity of blood vessels.
• Therefore, helps to decrease the likelihood of developing myocardial infarction and stroke.

The importance of controlling the risk factors associated with excess fat tissue

To conclude, we must remember that, if genetic predisposition has an important role in the development of multiple diseases,  the lifestyle that we have will contribute to the appearance or prevention of these disorders.

Primarily, dieting for inflammation, including foods high in polyphenols and unsaturated fats (omega-3s) will treat inflammation, control body weight, and maintain good health. It is also important to see a nutritionist who assesses what your body needs.