April 22, 2023

Fighting Inflammation – The “Good Guys” & “Villains”

We know inflammation well. It comes in a variety of unpleasant forms including water retention, puffiness, and bloating.

While it can be annoying, you might be surprised to find inflammation is actually a good thing. It is our body’s natural immune response to injury, intolerances or infection. It’s our body’s way of healing and protecting itself from further harm.

Symptoms may be a temporary response to a food or allergen intolerance, or it can be alerting us to more serious issues, like diabetes and heart disease.

The bottom line is our body is in a constant battle to help us be its healthiest. If you are feeling sluggish and achy, don’t blame it on time. Time to get proactive! Check out these suggestions of inflammatory foods to avoid and yummy “superfoods” to add to your diet for a more youthful and healthy life.

The biggest inflammation troublemakers: I have a sneaky suspicion this sneaky cast of characters are familiar to you…

Added Sugar: This is the leader of the pack. From salad dressing to ketchup, sugar sneaks in by the alias names, like Dextrose, corn syrup, and glucose. No matter what it’s called on the label, it’s up for no good. Whether you’re eating granulated sugar or agave syrup, it all has virtually the same effect on your body- it is quickly digested and spikes your blood sugar levels and results in unwanted bloating, acne, weight gain, headaches, and mood swings. Worse yet there are no nutrients to show for it. Bad news all around.

Processed meats: Many consider processed meat like bacon, hot dogs, pepperoni, and lunch meats as healthy forms of protein. Cured meats, like these, are considered carcinogenic. They are high in sodium, nitrates, PAHs, HCAs, and AGEs, all of which may increase your risk of cancer.

Processed Foods These days, we are used to quick and convenient options. When it comes to food, manufacturers have responded by offering more enticing grab-and-go foods than ever. Crackers, sweetened drinks, and packaged meals may be quick and yummy, but the convenience comes at a price – in the form of artificial colors, flavorings, and preservatives. All are unnatural chemicals that irritate the body and trigger inflammation.

The Good Guys: Antioxidants!

Antioxidants are our greatest accomplices in fighting toxins. They are like soldiers being ingested into our system to help protect our cells against free radicals – which cause inflammation. Eating a diet rich in antioxidants helps play a role in preventing disease, increasing energy, and even making our skin more youthful.

Blueberries, nuts, and yogurt are at the top of the list for special antioxidant powers

Foods high in antioxidants:
Blueberries, Broccoli, spinach, carrots, dark chocolate, and potatoes are all high in antioxidants and as well as artichokes, cabbage, asparagus, avocados, beetroot, radish, lettuce, sweet potatoes, squash, and pumpkin. Using lots of spices in cooking is good too.

Feeling bloated? Yogurt is a fermented food that naturally contains lots of probiotic cultures that strengthen our digestive tract which is known to help increase the good bacteria in your gut – which can help prevent and relieve bloating and cramping.

Need a little extra help? Mojo’s HIIT-based approach is at the top of the list for de-stressing, burning fat, and building muscle simultaneously – all of which are needed to help decrease inflammation and give you an energizing BOOST to deal with life’s inevitable challenges.

Feeling bloated? We are here for you!

For so many reasons, get your Mojo ON with us this week