We’re continuing here on the most common general foods that cause inflammation.
Omega 6s- Omega 6s are similar to omega 3 fats however they can increase or cause inflammation. All oils contain a mixture of fats. The healthier oils have a higher level of those healthier fats – most notably monounsaturated fats and omega 3 fats. For example olive oil has a high amount of monounsaturated fats but it also includes other fats. Flax oil is high in omega 3 fats. Oils high in omega 6s are canola, margarine made with soybean oil, rice bran oil, safflower oil, soybean oil, mayonnaise made with soybean oil and walnut oil. Keep added oils in your diet low to decrease your consumption of omega 6s and get your fats from the whole food such as walnuts. Here are a couple links on how to decrease your consumption of oil and therefore omega 6s.
Food Chemicals: MSG and Aspartame or NutraSweet – According to recent research on the gut microbiota (the bacteria in our gut) and inflammation MSG and aspartame are on the list for inflammatory food. Both are flavor enhancers designed to fool our body into a tastier food but can ill effects in the body. Avoid MSG and aspartame by eating whole foods and reading each ingredient label on packaged food. If you’re not sure what an ingredient is leave it on the shelf. MSG only has be labeled as Monosodium Glutamate, if it’s in another form it may not be listed at all. Aspartame will typically be NutraSweet with the logo on the label or ingredient list. Aspartame is a sugar substitute so beware of any diet food products. The only way to strictly avoid it is to make sure you know what your eating. Here are a couple resources on MSG and Aspartame
Check back! More still to come.
