To combat swelling without drugs, use these inflammation diet rules. They’ll not only reduce inflammation and pain, but they’ll help you fight cancer and a host of other diseases that are influenced by your decisions about what you eat.

1. Reduce Bad Fat
A good inflammation diet eliminates the intake of saturated and trans-fats, which are found in fast foods, high-fat dairy (whole milk, butter, and cream), and food high in many processed oils. 

2. Reduce Nitrites and pH Level
An inflammation diet restricts processed meats, which contain nitrate, a preservative and color enhancer. Nitrates are converted into nitrites in the presence of high intestinal pH levels. Nitrites are absorbed into the bloodstream and have been linked to cancers and heart disease.

Processed meat items include: 
  • Bacon
  • Hot dogs
  • Sausage
  • Some luncheon meats


3. Replace White Sugar
An inflammation diet replaces white sugar (sucrose) with natural, low-glycemic substitutes:

  • Fructose – found in fruit
  • Stevia – a sweet herb from South Africa
  • Single blossom honey
  • Xylitol - made from birch sugar

4. Inflammation Diet Avoids Nightshade
Reduce consumption of alkaloid-containing fruits, vegetables, and spices (many in the nightshade family of plants) that may trigger inflammatory-related joint problems:

  • Tomatoes
  • White potatoes
  • Eggplant
  • Sweet and hot peppers
  • Pimentos
  • Paprika
  • Cayenne pepper

5. Look to Whole, Fresh, and Natural Choices
An inflammation diet includes foods that are as close to natural as possible.  This means: no processing, refining, hormone injecting, or frying:

  • Seasonal fruits and vegetables
  • Whole grains and high fiber foods
  • Lean cuts of meat, poultry, and fish
  • Low fat dairy products

BIO:  Dr. Mundorff is a Registered Nurse and Board Certified Naturopath, and not a medical doctor.  Dr. Mundorff is the author of several books. Her latest book, Take Control: a Guide to Holistic Living is an innovative health guide, which helps the reader learn how to regain control of their health by discovering the practical effectiveness of combining alternative and modern medicine.  Contact her at bridges2hlth@aol.com