Can Anti-Inflammatory Diet Treat and Prevent Heart Disease?

Why Anti-Inflammatory Diet helps treat and prevent Atherosclerosis

The anti-inflammatory diet can help treat and prevent heart disease by reducing inflammation in the arteries, which is a main cause leading to atherosclerosis.

Accordingly, following the anti-inflammatory diet would help reduce plaque build-up on the walls of the arteries, and improve  blood flow.

By reducing inflammation, this diet can also reduce the risk of blood clot formation that is caused by the loosening of the plaque due to inflammation.

Subsequently, this would reduce the risks of a heart attack or stroke, and help as a prevention treatment for cardiovascular disease (CVD). 

Current research and studies provide solid evidence about the role of inflammation in developing heart disease.

There’s even more medical experts that suggest to put more focus on the treatment of inflammation to reduce the risks of heart disease, rather than following the common trend that emphasizes mainly on lowering cholesterol levels in the blood.

How Anti-Inflammatory Diet works for Atherosclerosis

The anti-inflammatory diet focuses on consuming certain types of foods that can fight chronic inflammation which damages the heart arteries. These foods include a variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains and fish sources among others that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fibers and many other nutrients.

Furthermore, certain types of foods consumed in the anti-inflammatory diet contain antioxidants that would work on reducing the level of free radicals. These free radicals are molecules that damage the cells in the body and can lead to inflammation if not properly controlled. 

In addition, the diet focuses on healthy foods which would lower cholesterol levels in the body. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory diet eliminates sugar, processed products, and refined food that are known to have inflammatory effects in the body. 

Accordingly, the diet can provide beneficial anti-inflammatory healing effects and would help in treating and preventing cardiovascular diseases CVD by reducing the build-up of plaque and formation of blood clots.

The Anti-Inflammatory Diet foods for Atherosclerosis

The various food types incorporated in the anti-inflammatory diet have healing effects that can be very effective for CVD prevention.

Below is a list of various types of anti-inflammatory foods that can be consumed when following the anti-inflammatory diet:

- Fish sources that include salmon, tuna, scallops, cold-water fish and anchovies contain omega-3 fatty acids, which lower inflammatory proteins in the body. 

- Nuts and seeds like walnuts, almonds and pine nuts are included in the anti-inflammatory diet. They contain good fats such as omega-3, plus they are good sources of protein and fiber that combat inflammation in the body.

- Colorful fruits and vegetables are important to consume as they are packed with antioxidants. These antioxidants would quench the free radicals, which are known to damage the cells of the body. Antocyanins found in red and purple fruits such as berries have anti-inflammatory effects. Vitamin C found in citrus fruits also contains anti-inflammatory effects and helps maintaining healthy joints. Vitamin K containing vegetables like kale, spinach, lettuce, spinach and broccoli also reduces inflammation in the body.

- Olive oil is a source of omega 3 and other healthy fats, in addition to oleocanthal, which is a polyphenolic antioxidant that has the same role as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The best source to use is non-refined olive oil. 

-Beans such as red kidney beans, pinto beans and small red beans are a good source of fiber and phytonutrient that lower inflammatory markers in the blood. They are also a great source of protein. 

- Low or reduced-fat dairy products contain many nutrients such as calcium, vitamin D, good fats and proteins that are beneficial for health.  

Meanwhile, it’s important to note that full fat dairy is composed of saturated fats that can cause inflammation, and hence should be avoided. 

- Whole grain sources such as oatmeal, bulgur, brown rice, quinoa, and whole-wheat flour are rich in fiber, and studies have shown that high fiber foods can lower inflammatory markers.

However, many of these products might contain gluten like wheat, rye, barley and oat for example. Since many people might suffer from gluten sensitivity, this would actually lead the immune system to view gluten as an enemy and accordingly attacks it, hence causing inflammation as a counter effect instead of fighting it.

It is always important to pay specific attention to any food sensitivity and monitor closely your symptoms, especially if you witness any discomfort as a result of consuming these food types.

The Anti-Inflammatory Diet for Heart Disease: Nutrition Breakdown

The food selection is mainly made to maintain health while reducing inflammation. However, the daily caloric consumption varies per person, based on gender, size and activity level.

The daily caloric requirements, carbohydrates make up 40-50%, fat 20-30% and protein 20-35%. These macronutrients should be included and spread throughout each meal, if possible.

Based on a 2000 calories/day diet:

The Anti-Inflammatory Diet program for Cardiovascular Disease

The anti-inflammatory diet for CVD is a lifestyle change that can be always maintained, as such there is no time restriction for this diet. There is no standard type of anti-inflammatory diet that people with CVD should follow instead it should be customized based on individual’s specific needs.

Below is a detailed list of the anti-inflammatory diet showing how different food types can be consumed, along with the quantities for each.

- Fish: consume fish at least twice per week as it contains omega-3 fatty acids, which lower inflammatory proteins in the body.

- Nuts: one handful per day is recommended as it contains omega 3 and monounsaturated fats that combat inflammation. Nuts also contain fiber that lowers inflammation in the body.

-Fruits and vegetables: it is important to eat fruits and vegetables daily since they are rich in antioxidants and other vitamins that fight against inflammation. Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, and consume around nine servings of fruits and vegetables per day.

- Spices: flavor food regularly with spices such as anise, fennel, turmeric, horseradish and hot mustard can be added to various dishes. These can be added to various dishes as they have anti-inflammatory properties. 

- Olive oil: add 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil to meals per day. Olive oil is rich in omega-3 and contains oleocanthal that reduce inflammation.

- Beans: consume one cup of beans twice per week. Beans are an important source of fiber and phytonutrients that have anti-inflammatory properties. 

- Whole grains: it is recommended to consume 6 ounces of grains daily, ideally 3 out of 6 the ounces consumed per day should be whole grain. Whole grain foods are rich in fiber, and an adequate consumption reduces inflammation in the body. 

The Anti-Inflammatory Diet for Atherosclerosis: Recommendations to Follow

- Drink lot of water: aim for purified water. It helps in ingestion, absorption and transport of nutrients that have anti-inflammatory effects. It is also necessary for cell functions and tissues repair.

- Consume anti-inflammatory snacks: Always carry appropriate anti-inflammatory snacks when you are on the go so you can always have a good treat of healthy food if you get hungry.

- Consume whole grains: whole grains decrease the body’s insulin response, and can hence reduce inflammation. Meanwhile, refined grains increase the inflammation process, hence causing blood sugar to spike faster. 

- Stay active: it’s important to exercise on a regular basis in order to improve health.

- Sleep well: make sure you get adequate sleep as this is an important factor for overall health. Sleep deficiency is associated with several diseases.

The Anti-Inflammatory Diet for Atherosclerosis: What you should Avoid

- Avoid allergens that are included in the anti-inflammatory diet: over 90% of food allergies are caused by cow’s milk, soy, eggs, wheat, peanuts, fish and shellfish. While some of these foods are incorporated in the anti-inflammatory diet, it is specifically recommended to avoid them in the case of sensitivity because they will aggravate the allergy symptoms. 

- Limit casein: casein is a protein found in dairy products and may cause discomfort so it is important to make sure it does not irritate the gut to avoid inflammation. If you don’t observe any discomfort, then there is no need to restrict it from the diet. 

- Limit gluten: Gluten is found in wheat, barley and rye. It can cause irritation to the gut and promote inflammation. If no discomfort is witnessed, then there is no need to restrict it from the diet.

The Anti-Inflammatory Diet for Heart Disease: precautions

There are no substantial risks attributed with the anti-inflammatory diet for heart disease patients. However, it's important to always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new diet or treatment.

Meanwhile, you should take into consideration the following factors:

- Cutting out food: do not cut any food groups from the diet without consulting a health expert, this can lead to nutritional deficiencies that can worsen joint and overall health. 

- Nightshade vegetables: if the consumption of nightshade vegetables is triggering certain symptoms it is better to avoid them. If you don’t observe any discomfort, then it is advised to consume regularly.

The Anti-Inflammatory Diet for Heart Disease: side effects

No side effects have been reported about following the anti-inflammatory diet for treating heart disease.