Learn how to reduce inflammation and prevent "inflammaging".
Inflammation Causes Premature Aging
Inflammation keeps coming up as a major factor for health issues - all the way from gut health to mental health to hormonal imbalances. It should then come as little surprise that it's also a major factor in premature aging.
What is Inflammation in Your Body?
A quick snapshot to your left shows the process of inflammation in your body. When your body encounters a stimulus (like a virus, glucose spike, stress, or physical injury) it activates your immune system to release cytokines. Anti-inflammatory cytokines stop the inflammation, whereas the pro-inflammatory cytokines continue the cycle of inflammation.
Common Signs of Accelerated Aging (or Chronic Inflammation)
Fatigue, weight gain, issues with memory, changes to skin, hair and nails, joint pain, depression/anxiety, and brittle bones.
4 Steps to Anti-Aging Through Nutrition
"Let food by thy medicine and let medicine by thy food" - Hippocrates
Here's some simple steps you can do to reduce inflammaging:
1: Balance Blood Sugar
A quick spike then steep drop in blood sugar causes inflammation. By adding protein, fat, fiber and greens to your meals and snacks, you can support a more balanced blood sugar curve. More blood sugar tips here.
2: Enjoy Anti-Inflammatory Foods
Fatty fishes, such as salmon and tuna
Seeds, such as flax and chia
Olive oil
Coconut oil
Nuts, including almonds, cashews, and walnuts
Grass-fed meats
Cruciferous vegetables
3: Incorporate Anti-Aging Nutrients
Key nutrients that fight against premature aging
Vitamin D - immune support, sleep, cancer fighter, and energy
Magnesium - sleep, hormone balance, thyroid, and anxiety (fave here)
Fatty Acids - hormones and brain health
Amino Acids - muscle mass and recovery, cognition, and energy (fave here)
Antioxidants - CoQ10, A, C and E assist with brain, eye, muscle recovery and heart health
Vitamin B - energy, mood, memory, and hormones (fave here)
4: Being Mindful of Processed Foods
Enjoying these foods is part of a balanced approach to your nutrition.
Creating mindfulness around added sugars, food additives, and high-fructose corn syrup will support your body's ability to properly detoxify and repair.