The importance of an anti-inflammation diet cannot be overstated. Many nutritionists, health researchers, and physicians have come to agree that chronic inflammation is one of the root causes of many illnesses in today’s society. Inflammation causing foods are everywhere, and the typical diet is getting in the neighborhood of 25 to 30 times too much inflammation causing fats versus anti-inflammation fats, such that are found in omega 3 fish oil. How serious is this imbalance? Many opinions are that it is one of the most significant causes of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. It is literally killing many people.

Inflammation is a normal response from the body to repair damage, such that is caused by injuries like cuts and abrasions. The expansion of blood vessels allowing for white blood cells to do their work gives the body its ability to heal. Similarly a response happens when LDL cholesterol attaches to arteries, and when inflammation is overactive it triggers swelling and constriction to blood flow to and from the heart. In many cases this will lead to heart disease or attacks.

The diabetes and inflammation relationship is a result of chronic inflammation advancing certain proteins called cytokines, which in turn reduce the body’s ability to regulate the creation of insulin. Being overweight is often associated with type 2 diabetes. One of the primary reasons many people are overweight in the first place is a diet with far too much inflammation causing fats found in omega-6 fats and oils such as corn oil, sunflower oil, and safflower.

Cell oxidation is the result of damage caused by abnormal amounts of inflammation. This can result in cell mutations leading to cancers.

These are wide spread problems, caused to a large degree by poor diets over a prolonged period of time. Omega-6 pro-inflammatory fats are in a startlingly high number of processed foods, but absolutely over abundant in fast foods found on almost every main street in America. While at the same time, anti-inflammatory foods are almost nowhere to be found. Fortunately a good tread is happening lately, and that is omega-3 anti-inflammatory fatty acids being introduced into food products. Look for omega-3 on the label.

With a proper balance of omega-3 to omega-6 fats the body is able to regulate inflammation, allowing it to produce a normal response resulting in substantially better health. A typical healthy diet should minimize the intake of omega-6 fats, and maximize the intake of omega-3 fats.

One of the best ways to get omega-3 is regular consumption of fish. The fats in fish are high in the two primary omega-3 fats that are essential to getting the fat balance back to where it should be. The two fatty acids are EPA and DHA, very strong anti-inflammatory fats. Nutritionists recommend eating fish twice per week. If that is not possible or desirable, good fish oil supplements can be used. Fish oil supplements have the additional benefit of being purified, whereas fresh fish has trace amounts of mercury and other toxins that may be of concern when being consumed on a regular basis. Fish oil supplements allow for control of quantity and provide a certain assurance of quality. Depending on who you listen to, the recommended daily amount of fish oil is often between 750 milligrams, to about 2000 milligrams. While about 1000 milligrams is the typical recommendation for a healthy individual. Don’t take greater amounts without consulting with your physician. If you have any known health problems, consult with your doctor prior to taking fish oil, as your doctor may have particular recommendations.

Cut down on fats that cause inflammation, such as trans fats, or vegetable based cooking oils. Replace them with oils that are high in omega-3. Some good fats are those found in fish, as well as extra-virgin olive oil, expeller pressed canola oil, as well as flaxseed oil. This is one of the key things that you can do to greatly improve your health, ridding your diet of excessive amounts of unhealthy fats.

Get plenty of fruits and vegetables, especially dark green vegetables. These provide fiber, are loaded with anti-oxidants, as well as anti-inflammatory. Whole grains and other natural and plant based foods are very helpful (not vegetable oil).

Reducing the amount of processed foods, including artificial sweeteners and white sugars is a great way to improve the health of a diet in general.

Following these diet recommendations can greatly improve your health by getting the omega-3 to omega-6 balance back in order, and reducing harmful inflammation within the body.