Experience with an anti-inflammatory diet?

[Anonymous]

Are there real benefits or is it just hype?

I am 50. My weight is technically normal but just on the border of being overweight. I'm very active physically.

In the last year, I've been having more and more injuries, tendon problems, joint stiffness. I am thinking about trying an anti-inflammatory diet and wondering if people have actually had success with it. Has it made a difference in how you feel? How?

thank you

[Anonymous]

I have done it and I would say it does work but only if you have actual inflammation and that inflammation is related to food. I personally dont believe it would help with general age related problems YMMV.

[Anonymous]

Your symptoms sound like my journey except that it started for me in my 60's. Mine is due to arthritis which cannot be reversed but can be slowed down. An anti-inflammatory diet is about avoiding some foods like spinach but more so intaking things like berries and turmeric supplements that fight inflammation off. It's not hard to follow and at a minimum healthier eating.

[Anonymous]

OP - Sounds like you are doing great physically for your age. You don't say what your activities are but if you are picking up lots of injuries it may be time to consider switching to lower-impact workouts (e.g. swimming and cycling instead of running).

[Anonymous]

I should add, my mother has reversed a lot of the symptoms. She swears it's due to a cup of blueberries a day. Mom is turning 90 and still very active.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your symptoms sound like my journey except that it started for me in my 60's. Mine is due to arthritis which cannot be reversed but can be slowed down. An anti-inflammatory diet is about avoiding some foods like spinach but more so intaking things like berries and turmeric supplements that fight inflammation off. It's not hard to follow and at a minimum healthier eating.

Avoiding spinach??

[Anonymous]

At 50, what you describe doesn’t sound terribly abnormal from others I know in our age group!

That said, I am 52 and have had to mostly give up gluten and dairy due to new digestive issues. I can handle hard and sole aged cheeses and the occasional pastry or pasta dish is ok and can be enjoyed without symptoms. And I have mostly given up sugar, because my joints hurt if I have too much. I do have arthritis, but it is specific to injury and use/overuse vs any autoimmune issue.

So…maybe something is bothering you? You could try it. I’ve done it a few times and it is an arduous process! See if you can get an ND or integrative physician to help guide you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your symptoms sound like my journey except that it started for me in my 60's. Mine is due to arthritis which cannot be reversed but can be slowed down. An anti-inflammatory diet is about avoiding some foods like spinach but more so intaking things like berries and turmeric supplements that fight inflammation off. It's not hard to follow and at a minimum healthier eating.

Avoiding spinach??

Exactly. Every time I read about these diets, there is so much conflicting information it's useless. Most of the information related to foods in the nightshade family.

No one can describe in a reasonable manner what an anti-inflammatory diet is.

[Anonymous]

You would want to track how certain foods make you feel and change your habits based off of that. What is inflammatory for one person may not be for another. It's not a one size fits all. Joint pain at our age can be hormonal (if you're female). Adding a good omega 3 supplement can also help.

[Anonymous]

Yes an anti inflammatory diet can help! I follow the AIP diet and do reintroductions of items that don't cause issues. Whenever I start putting on weight or feeling the inflammation, I follow it and it helps tremendously. For 4 months now I've been back on it and don't plan to switch out. It means eating a diet full of vegetables and healthy fruits. It means no gluten, no dairy and not many grains---I get my carbs from veggies and fruits. It means I'm actually eating 3-4 cups of fruits and veggies each day and healthy proteins (fish, turkey, lentils, beans)
The positives: I have more energy, I dropped 10 lbs in 2 weeks and it stays off. I'm mid 50s, not overweight but didn't like the weight creep. I now weigh what I did 27 years ago before I got pregnant with my first and only 3 pounds more than when I was 22. I sleep better and just feel so much better. My joints do not hurt anymore.

Now, I do have Auto immune issues and am celiac, but it's amazing how much diet can improve your life. You won't know until you try. And in reality, the diet I'm eating is very healthy for everyone and will help prevent diabetes (minimal sugars, they come from fruits and veggies as there are minimal carbs otherwise)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your symptoms sound like my journey except that it started for me in my 60's. Mine is due to arthritis which cannot be reversed but can be slowed down. An anti-inflammatory diet is about avoiding some foods like spinach but more so intaking things like berries and turmeric supplements that fight inflammation off. It's not hard to follow and at a minimum healthier eating.

Avoiding spinach??

Spinach is high in oxcillates (sp?) and can be inflammatory for some people. Eliminate it and see if it helps, then add it back in as the only new food added back and see if you get symptoms.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your symptoms sound like my journey except that it started for me in my 60's. Mine is due to arthritis which cannot be reversed but can be slowed down. An anti-inflammatory diet is about avoiding some foods like spinach but more so intaking things like berries and turmeric supplements that fight inflammation off. It's not hard to follow and at a minimum healthier eating.

Avoiding spinach??

Exactly. Every time I read about these diets, there is so much conflicting information it's useless. Most of the information related to foods in the nightshade family.

No one can describe in a reasonable manner what an anti-inflammatory diet is.

Google is your friend. Not difficult to find anti-inflammatory diet guidelines. And yes, nightshades are common culprits, so eliminating them for 2-3 weeks then adding each one back in for 5 days is a good way to test

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes an anti inflammatory diet can help! I follow the AIP diet and do reintroductions of items that don't cause issues. Whenever I start putting on weight or feeling the inflammation, I follow it and it helps tremendously. For 4 months now I've been back on it and don't plan to switch out. It means eating a diet full of vegetables and healthy fruits. It means no gluten, no dairy and not many grains---I get my carbs from veggies and fruits. It means I'm actually eating 3-4 cups of fruits and veggies each day and healthy proteins (fish, turkey, lentils, beans)
The positives: I have more energy, I dropped 10 lbs in 2 weeks and it stays off. I'm mid 50s, not overweight but didn't like the weight creep. I now weigh what I did 27 years ago before I got pregnant with my first and only 3 pounds more than when I was 22. I sleep better and just feel so much better. My joints do not hurt anymore.

Now, I do have Auto immune issues and am celiac, but it's amazing how much diet can improve your life. You won't know until you try. And in reality, the diet I'm eating is very healthy for everyone and will help prevent diabetes (minimal sugars, they come from fruits and veggies as there are minimal carbs otherwise)

Thank you for sharing your successes. Our food supply has been so tainted by the big industries. I wish I could get everything I need at farmers markets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your symptoms sound like my journey except that it started for me in my 60's. Mine is due to arthritis which cannot be reversed but can be slowed down. An anti-inflammatory diet is about avoiding some foods like spinach but more so intaking things like berries and turmeric supplements that fight inflammation off. It's not hard to follow and at a minimum healthier eating.

Avoiding spinach??

Spinach is high in oxcillates (sp?) and can be inflammatory for some people. Eliminate it and see if it helps, then add it back in as the only new food added back and see if you get symptoms.

The oxalate nonsense is all "internet wellness" crap, and stems from the keto push. Ignore it.

[Anonymous]

Spinach can affect kidney stones or gout in the predisposed