Eating to help suppress inflammation

[lillegirl]

I am already registered on the PMA/GCA Site and do get a lot of help from there, however I would like to be involved in any discussions that are highlighting the above topic if they are happening on this site. Not sure if this is what the site is about but would be pleased to be advised! I am currently trying to follow an anti inflammatory, whole food, high percentage organic, (but not totally) pyramid diet (Dr Weil) also visiting a medicinal herbalist for advice, tincture preparation to help immune system function as I'm on steroids.

[lillegirl]

I have been following the Dr Weil cone for about 8 weeks now. I do not find it difficult as it is mainly the foods that I enjoy, initially I lost weight but recently I have started to gain weight again, I think due to steroids, fluid retention; so I am just carrying on and will discuss with consultant when I see him next week!

[lillegirl]

Steroids are Prednisolone, started in August on 60mg and have got them down, now to 20mg a day. My problem is Giant Cell Arteritis and Polymialgia Rhumatica. I think the reduction process is going to get a lot more difficult, as the aim is to get me onto a maintenance dose of 8.5mg for at least 2 years, at the moment I am fluttering on coping with the reduction, but am sure I can stick at it!! Thanks for your response, all info great fully received.

[deejames]

I thought that the steroids suppressed the immune system which is needed to combat the illness ( whatever it is) . so how does boosting the immune system work if on the other hand you are trying to suppress it. I was on prednosoline for a year and now take azathioprine and hydroxychloroquine . This is for my alopecea. So I'm interested in what you are suggesting. My immune system is attacking my hair follicles which cause them to die. Ive accepted that my immune system is compromised. Its what I pay for having a slowed down hair loss.

Let me know your thinking please.

Dee

[lillegirl in reply to deejames]

Immune System Suppression

Cortisol functions to reduce inflammation in the body, which is good, but over time, these efforts to reduce inflammation also suppress the immune system. Chronic inflammation, caused by lifestyle factors such as poor diet and stress, helps to keep cortisol levels soaring, wreaking havoc on the immune system. An unchecked immune system responding to unabated inflammation can lead to myriad problems: an increased susceptibility to colds and other illnesses, an increased risk of cancer, the tendency to develop food allergies, an increased risk of an assortment of gastrointestinal issues (because a healthy intestine is dependent on a healthy immune system), and possibly an increased risk of autoimmune disease. I am just trying to boost what I have left with after taking the Preds and hope that by eating an antiinflamatory diet, I am able to remove some of the stress on my body that the inflammation is causing. An anti-inflammatory diet is to remove all sugars of any type, any processed food ie bread, pastry, prepared foods such as salami, pies, anything you can think of that is not whole! Then you are left with vegetables, pulses, meat (in small portions) a couple of times a week, fish, live Greek yogurt and fruit. As I said previously I am trying to follow Dr Weils pyramid of anti-inflammatory foods, I am certainly not managing perfectly but whatever improvements I make to my diet to follow this example cannot be a bad thing.

[Hidden]

Wondering what foods you have cut out that are inflammatory? I am interested as well. Personally, I've started cutting back drastically on flour products, gluten specifically, and I think there is a difference in how my joints feel. An anti-inflammatory diet would definitely help with arthritis, I believe, so I'm interested in what you are doing.

[lillegirl in reply to Hidden]

Hi there, I'm certainly no expert in this field and probably like you am reading a lot, mainly until my head is buzzing and can't take anymore info! Basically I am following the Dr Weil pyramid -drweil.com/drw/u/ART02995/D...

(can't get it to link, but cut and paste into browser)

However, as said previously, I'm not perfect and do think 'what the heck' sometimes, but do try to get back to it asap! I also believe I am feeling better with this diet, and it certainly can't do any harm!!

[quikdoc]

hi

please let us know which diet item eliminated or added helped you?

From my previous readings the most pro inflammatory foods are dairy, saturated fat and refined sugar.

Are you avoiding these?

Best of luck.

[lillegirl in reply to quikdoc]

Hi there, as you can probably see from the other responses, I am probably doing the same or similar to you! The fact that I use the Dr Weil pyramid as my guide is neither here nor there as I assume there are others that are available but here's the link - healthunlocked.com/api/redi...

[healthyopinion]

Hi lillegirl,

We sometimes compromised what we eat because of our lifestyle . It's no secret that most of our foods now are chemically grown and because of that our body reacts for the worse.

How bout you try reading this book ayurvedastars.com

[marta464]

Something that might help is to reduce sugary drinks, which usually have high fructose corn syrup that might aggravate inflammation. You can try infused waters or different teas (perhaps your medicinal herbalist may have suggestions) and customize with your own choice in fruit or sweetener like honey. These are some drink suggestions that I've been trying lately:

brit.co/ice-tea-recipes/

alcattesting.com/single-pos...

buzzfeed.com/melissaharriso...