Most people living in our cities today experience some level of inflammation. The elements that are responsible for this inflammation are present in our food and water and in our air quality as well as our lifestyle choices

So what is Inflammation and why does it matter?

Inflammation is the process of repair, which your body initiates through your immune system. Its purpose is to destroy infection, dead cells and abnormal tissue. What happens when this process is taking place inside your body? Obviously you can’t see it, but you may become aware of it through pain or swelling or it may not be at all obvious. When inflammation is unchecked, it can run rampant becoming destructive to your body and it can cause major health problems. Including heart disease, arthritis, Alzheimer’s and more. However you can control inflammation through good nutrition and incorporating some additional health supplements where necessary.

Here are our 10 recommendations for combating and keeping inflammation in check:

1. Water Keeping your body alkaline will help reduce inflammation and is the natural state in which we should exist. So good quality water (preferably alkaline) is key. Avoid soft drinks – too much sugar or too much aspartame – both are unhealthy and so o not support staying alkaline

2. Lemon Add to your drinking water for increased alkalinity, and sip throughout the day. Hot water with lemon first thing in the morning is a tried and trusted remedy for flushing out toxins from your liver and kidneys improving circulation and elimination. Add lemon to your favourite recipes, great with fish but also any use it your salad dressings and marinades. It helps promote stomach acid and enzymes to aid digestion.

3. Coconut Oil Coconut oil helps reduce inflammation throughout your whole body. In addition it gives your brain the high quality fats it needs for mental acuity and to prevent dementia and Alzheimer’s. Oh, and it helps with weight loss! Use it in your cooking (even better than Olive Oil). It will take a high temperature without deteriorating.

4. Ginger Ginger contains very potent anti-inflammatory compounds called gingerols. Consuming ginger regularly is effective in the reducing the pain and inflammation of arthritis. Add ginger to your soups stews and stir-fries. Include it with the lemon and hot water in your morning tea (or at any time)

5. Turmeric Turmeric, with it active ingredient Curcumin, has been used in India as a powerful anti-inflammatory for over 4,000 years, to help fight infections and treat digestive problems. Chop up the fresh root in your cooking – combine with fats and black pepper for best absorption - add your teas or, if not available, use the dry powder

6. Avocados Avocados are full of healthy fats, vitamins and minerals, as well as anti-oxidants that reduce inflammation in the body. Add to salads, make guacamole and use to thicken shakes and smoothies.

7. Himalayan Pink Sea Salt Perhaps the most mineral rich salt on the planet, including 84 trace minerals. It brings a raft of health benefits including anti-inflammatory properties. Better utilised by your body than most other salts, so use it freely on your food and even one pinch in a glass of water will boost your energy

8. Apple Cider Vinegar More than purely vinegar, this is a fermented tonic complete with organic acids and enzymes.  It improves digestion as well as reducing inflammation and eliminating sugar cravings when taken with water after food.

9. Omega 3 Amongst the best and most well known anti-inflammatories is fish oil. High quality Omega 3 from fish oil has been shown to assist with all kinds of inflammation as well as being specifically helpful for joint pain. Eating fresh fish several times a week is a great way to get your Omega 3s providing you make sure that you don’t eat farmed fish (which are fed grain and other non-fishy food). Sardines, anchovies and other oily fish like mackerel are the best sources. But today it's difficult to get enough Omega 3 direclty from fish so many people prefer to take a supplement to ensure that they are getting enough.

10. Royal Jelly Having been studied extensively at the Hayashibara Biochemical Laboratories in Japan, scientists discovered that Royal Jelly (from bees) is highly anti-inflammatory and a supplement that is therefore highly recommended for high levels of inflammation.

Mr Vitamins recommends:

Nature Clinic Omega 3

In additiona to its anti-inflammatory benefits Omega 3 is known to support healthy eye, brain and heart function. A natural source of the essential fatty acids EPA and DHA; vital for healthy cell membranes, brain and retina tissue. Find out more about Nature Clinic Omega 3 here

Nature Clinic Royal Jelly 1000

Royal Jelly is a not only a proven anti-infammatory but also beneficial for your skin, general health and energy, strength and stamina.

 Warning:

Royal Jelly has been reported to cause severe allergic reactions and in rare cases fatalities, especially in asthma and allergy sufferers. Find out more about Nature Clinic Royal Jelly 1000