4 Foods PROVEN to Fight Inflammation

by Heather Dominick

We all want to feel good in our body, but let’s admit it, we also want to look good. The way we connect to our looks is part of how we feel, right? Well, one of the questions I get asked a lot by my private clients is, “How can I get rid of this puffiness around my eyes/in my face/insert trouble spot of your own?”. Of course, there are tons of products on the market that are telling us what to put ON these trouble spots, but you know that I am going to tell you that what you put IN your body is where it all starts.

Before we look at what can help to decrease puffiness let’s take just two seconds to give service to what can CAUSE it: excessive sugar and caffeine. If you swear you don’t really use either and you still find your self with bags around your eyes: First, really double check the content of your food. Sugar is sneaky. It likes to hide-out under other names and guises. Second, check with your own practitioner or specialist to help you understand what is happening for you specifically.

Now let’s look at four foods that

will help fight inflammation for good!

1. Broccoli - is excellent for reducing eye inflammation. This great green veggie contains double the vitamin C of an orange and just about as much calcium as a glass of whole milk. Best to be bought (and used!) with bright, green florets and firm stalks. **Extra Tip** Steamed al dente is the best way to go. Raw is hard to digest. Cooked any other way and you lose all those great nutrients.

2. Grapes - when it comes to reducing inflammation we are really talking about the juice part of the grape, but NOT store packaged grape juice. Grapes contain vitamin A, B-Complex and C and relieve any swelling in the throat, mouth, gums and eyes. (Grapes are done ripening once they are picked so choose a mature bunch when buying!)

3. Hemp Oil - let me say right away that this is not marijuana being talked about here. Hemp oil is loaded with our friends Omega 3’s (more than flax) but also has what is called GLA’s (gamma-linoleic acid) which stimulate the growth of

healthy hair, skin AND reduce inflammation. Use on salads, baked root vegetables and as a dressing. **Extra Tip**Don’t use it for cooking and you are not getting the benefits if you take it in capsule form.

4. Job’s Tears - sounds like a magic potion, doesn’t it? It is actually a whole grain! Before it is hulled it has a black, sturdy case which earned it the great name. Once hulled, it looks more like barley. You may have even had it at one time and thought you were having just plain old barley soup. This grain is wonderful for cooling any inflammation and can also be very helpful for those suffering with arthritis.

Energy~Nutrition Specialist Heather M. Dominick, "The Energy Expert," is author of the information packed 'EnergyRICH Lifestyle' weekly ezine. If you're ready to jump- start your energy, make effective changes, and have more fun in your life, get your FREE subscription and more EnergyRICH Tips at http://www.individual-health.net

Other Articles:

Perpective - is your glass half full?
Lets start with the old cliché is the glass half empty or is the glass half full? This is the essence of this article - because the glass is always at the halfway mark, no matter what the situation is! Take for example this morning. I woke up feeling tired and exhausted. When I...

Protect Yourself for the Upcoming Cold & Flu Season
There is no quick fix for the flu pandemic If vaccines and drugs are available too late to stop bird flu, then what can be done to battle H5N1 avian influenza if it spreads to people? Not a lot, experts say. If a pandemic emerges in the coming year, there will not be enough supplies...

Killer Outdoor Workouts in 20 Minutes or Less
I've got just a quick tip today to help get you started on your summer beach body. With summer right around the corner here in the US, the weather is starting to warm up and people are flocking outside after being cooped up all winter. Now that it's getting nice outside, why not take...