"Inflammation is how the body heals itself -- the way it gets more immune activity to areas that need it. But inflammation can also do damage and can cause heart attacks, strokes, cancer and Alzheimer's disease (presumably Lewy Bodies Dementia as well.- author's addition)" Andrew Weil, M.D.
Preventing and containing inflammation is the best long-term strategy for optimal health, according to Dr. Weil. Dietary choices are the easiest way to accomplish that. Processed foods increase inflammation, especially refined soybean oil, sugar and flour. An anti-inflammatory diet emphasizes whole foods, and includes olive oil, tea, chocolate, ginger, turmeric, and oily fish. I have a natural orientation for healthy foods, and much gratitude to my mother for exposing me to sound nutrition. Eating dark leafy greens every day is a habit for me, supplemented by protein in the form of bison, fish, beans or humanely-treated poultry. The organic farm I have supported this summer has in its boxes every week the most delicious fresh zesty greens. A salad with those greens tossed in olive oil and balsamic vinegar with some protein is often my dinner. Diseases cannot perhaps be avoided altogether, but most certainly can be reduced by attention to our diet.
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