- High-sugar foods: Immunosuppression for 2-4 hours after eating
- High-fat foods: Especially foods with arachidonic acid and saturated fats (dairy and animal fat primarily)
- Food Allergens: Allergens may form immune complexes and lead to inflammation
- Foods that promote bacterial overgrowth of the small bowel: Simple sugars and complex carbs quickly digested such as refined white flour and white potatoes
- Insufficiency of fiber: Fiber pulls toxins from the GI tract and acts like a broom to sweep them out
- Insufficient phytonutrients: Phytonutrients primarily found in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds act as anti-inflammatories and antioxidants, which quench inflammation
- Insufficient exercise: 1) Adipose tissue (fat) is pro-inflammatory; 2) Exercising muscle reduces inflammation improves insulin sensitivity
- Vitamin D deficiency: Causes inflammation, promotes autoimmunity, and expedites progression of osteoarthritis
- Fatty acid imbalances: Insufficiencies of Omega-3 and -6 fats, along with excesses of saturated fat and trans-fats lead to inflammation
- Vitamin and mineral deficiencies: Especially magnesium, deficiency of which is seen in 20-40% of most “industrialized” populations.
- Xenobiotic/toxin accumulation: Non-specific but can lead to inflammation and is an underdiagnosed problem
- Emotional stress and toxic relationships: Promote inflammation, impair wound healing, and promote immunosuppresion
