Here's something you need to know about. It is now well accepted that low-level, chronic inflammation in your body is a significant cause of chronic illness, especially diabetes and heart disease. Other diseases caused or increased by inflammation include Alzheimer's, cancer, arthritis and vascular diseases like stroke. And if that isn't enough, an article in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinological Metabolism indicates that simply being obese is enough to set off the inflammatory cascades that lead to illness.
You can't control all inflammation, but you can significantly improve your situation by taking positive action with your diet. Most of us have an infatuation with simple carbs: sweets, sodas and starchy snacks (me too!) Because these things affect our biochemistry, our indulgence in these goodies sets off a chain reaction that ends in lots of inflammatory chemicals being produced in our bodies.It is also well-known that obese people have higher rates of the diseases I mentioned above, as well as many others.
While everyone can reduce their systemic inflammation by diet and exercise, people who carry a lot of fat have an additional source of inflammation that takes more effort to deal with.
As always, just about everyone can improve their health by being more active. If you're overweight, all the more reason to begin an exercise and weight reduction program. Cut way back on bread. Enjoy your hamburgers, but eat them without the bun. Leave four fries on your plate and toss the rest. Just forget that sugary soda even exists. Grab a beef jerky or a tomato instead of a bag of chips. Try this snack invented by my friend Rosin: soak carrot slices in lime juice and salt overnight. It's really satisfying and easy to eat.
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