Easily digestible carbohydrates can cause systemic chronic inflammation in the body. This was told socialbites.ca by the head of the Scientific Council of Atlas clinics, candidate of medical sciences, neuroendocrinologist Yuri Poteshkin.
“These are sugary drinks, sweets, desserts, sweetened dairy products and refined grain products – white bread, baked goods, white rice, barley. These foods can be found in the diet, but not more than 10% of the daily calories, because they have a high glycemic index, they can increase oxidative stress and activate pro-inflammatory genes, ”the doctor explained.
According to the doctor, you should also avoid eating foods high in trans fat, which increases the risk of death from any cause by 34% and from cardiovascular causes by 21%, due to the risk of systemic inflammation. Excess salt is also dangerous.
“Include salt added to ready-made foods, sauces and sausages, not more than 5-6 g of salt per day. Excessive salt intake reduces the Lactobacillus population in the intestines. These are bacteria that fight inflammation,” he said.
Poteshkin explained that inflammation is a response of the immune system to various harmful factors. If tissues in the body are damaged, an acute inflammatory reaction is triggered.
“If the body does not stop the effects of negative factors within 2-6 weeks, the inflammation becomes chronic and contributes to the destruction of the body’s own cells and tissues and the development of fibrosis,” he warned.
According to the doctor, there is no specific treatment for systemic inflammation.
“The most pragmatic and safest approach is to address risk factors for systemic inflammation, such as physical activity, diet, lifestyle. This not only reduces markers of chronic inflammation, but also improves prognosis,” he said.
Former nutritionist statedthat frozen vegetables are sometimes healthier than fresh ones.