\nWhat is inflammation?<\/p>\n
Mumbai-based Shirish, a 45-year-old entrepreneur, didn\u2019t know what was causing his itchy rashes, stomach ache, pain in the feet and low-grade fever. Being overweight, he had prediabetes and hypertension but nothing was alarming to cause these symptoms. That\u2019s when Khushboo Jain Tibrewala, diabetes nutritionist and inflammation specialist, asked him to take the Immunoglobulin E (IgE) test to identify allergies through the presence of antibodies in the bloodstream.<\/p>\n
He had elevated IgE levels, suggesting his body was overreacting to allergens or fighting off an infection, both of which can trigger inflammation. \u201cIn his case, it had become chronic. We decided to lower it through his diet,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
\nWhat is inflammation?<\/p>\n
While inflammation is the body\u2019s natural defence mechanism against injury or infection, chronic inflammation is a low-grade, persistent state that can silently affect our tissues and organs over time. \u201cIn its acute form, it helps heal wounds and fight pathogens. But when inflammation becomes chronic, it can harm rather than heal. It has been linked to a wide range of health conditions<\/a><\/strong>, including heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer\u2019s disease, skin conditions like eczema, and autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis. This accelerates disease,\u201d says Dr Sonia Gandhi<\/a>, Head of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Fortis Hospital, Mohali.<\/p>\n Story continues below this ad<\/p>\n Diet vs inflammation<\/p>\n Certain foods are known to combat inflammation, while others may worsen it. \u201cAnti-inflammatory foods include fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants and fibre, fatty fish such as salmon and sardines with high levels of Omega-3, whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, olive oil and spices such as turmeric and ginger,\u201d shares Dr Gandhi.<\/p>\n For Shirish, Tibrewala eliminated refined oils, maida, processed meats, eggs, nuts, gluten and nightshade vegetables (those which grow in the shade and night, including tomatoes, eggplants, potatoes, bell peppers). \u201cNightshade vegetables are nutrient-rich but they contain lectins, which are proteins that can interfere with nutrient absorption and potentially cause inflammation in those already affected. So, we focussed on whole, unprocessed foods, rich in anti-inflammatory properties,\u201d says Tibrewala.<\/p>\n
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