The Anti-inflammatory Diet For Obesity And Chronic Diseases
Therapy for chronic diseases related to inflammatory states must be accompanied by a correct diet. For those suffering from these conditions, it is important to know which foods can make symptoms worse and which ones have a positive effect. How does an anti-inflammatory diet work?
The anti-inflammatory diet and NCDs
Chronic non- communicable diseases (NCDs) have a common origin: inflammation. Chronic inflammation is the main causative factor of metabolic disorders; therefore, the chances of developing a chronic degenerative disease increase.
It is a key factor in the pathogenesis of endothelial dysfunction, as well as in atherosclerosis. An anti-inflammatory diet is therefore a key element in the prevention and treatment of this group of diseases.
What is inflammation?
According to research conducted by Strowig T. et al. in 2012, acute inflammation is a physiological response to an infection or tissue damage. In other words, the onset of vascular tissue healing and repair.
The clinical signs that characterize it are heat, redness, swelling and pain; they are produced by factors such as cytokines, chemokines, reactive oxygen species and coagulation factors.
Although acute inflammation occurs as a defense reaction, when it persists over time it becomes a chronic ailment. Inflammation contributes to the pathogenesis of numerous diseases, according to a study published in the journal Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences .
This occurs through the regulation of transcription factors (especially tumor necrosis factors, NFKBs) and interferon regulatory factors (IRFs) that activate the expression of anti-inflammatory, immune and antiviral genes.
Obesity and silent inflammation
The expression of genes and a greater production of pro-inflammatory substances is directly proportional to the amount of adipose tissue. In obese people, therefore, there is a prolonged and chronic inflammatory state that favors pathological dysfunctions.
These changes include reduced insulin sensitivity, pancreatic β-cell dysfunction, non-alcoholic liver disease and atherosclerosis.
According to the WHO, obesity (defined as excess adiposity that is harmful to health) has reached incidence rates comparable to those of an epidemic in recent decades.
Obesity and metabolic syndrome
Obesity is associated with multi-organ dysfunctions with a chronic impact on the metabolic level (especially pancreatic, adipose, hepatic, cardiac and musculoskeletal). Taken together, these alterations determine the metabolic syndrome.
The latter has a multifactorial origin, but it is the environment in which we live that determines the expression of genes with their respective metabolic alterations. We cannot talk about the environment without talking about food.
In particular, a diet rich in animal fats, highly processed or high-sugar products, as well as a low consumption of fruit and vegetables, are associated with excessive body weight, increased blood sugar, blood pressure, etc.
The role of the anti-inflammatory diet
A 2019 research conducted by Antonino Tuttolomondo et al. and published in the International Journal of Molecular Science , as well as numerous other studies, confirms the decisive role of the diet in preventing a disease, treating it or reducing mortality.
The Mediterranean diet has been extensively studied, in particular its ability to reduce inflammation biomarkers; among these hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, central adiposity, arterial hypertension and others. According to Sears B. et al. (2015), an anti-inflammatory diet must include:
- Integration of Omega 3 fatty acids (2-3 g of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid per day).
- Calorie restriction with an adequate balance between the main nutrients (carbohydrates, proteins and lipids); calculation made by a nutritionist.
- Consumption of plant foods rich in polyphenols (bioactive compounds responsible for inhibiting the transcription factor NFKB).
This allows you to block the genes that are responsible for producing pro-inflammatory substances, especially in chronic inflammation. Furthermore, the signaling path of the protein kinase AMP is activated, a complex that functions as a cellular energy detector, which participates in the energy balance and promotes the consumption of calories.
The Mediterranean diet
The Mediterranean diet is not a homogenous or exclusive food plan of the countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea (Spain, Italy, Portugal, Greece, Croatia, among others).
Although it shares a high consumption of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, seeds and olive oil, each country has its own eating habits that are influenced by socio-cultural, religious and economic factors.
Fighting inflammation at the table
The Mediterranean diet includes an adequate consumption of saturated fats (especially omega 3), a low intake of unsaturated and trans fats, a high presence of bioactive compounds (thanks to the presence of plant foods) and natural and unprocessed sugars.
It is, therefore, able to fight inflammation. Specifically, it regulates the factors associated with the metabolic syndrome that we describe in the following lines.
Diabetes
- Helps reduce insulin resistance.
- Reduces plasma glucose concentration.
- Increases the production of GLP-1 incretins (intestinal hormones that promote insulin production).
Dyslipidemia
- It reduces the level of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.
- It increases the production of HDL cholesterol and adiponectin.
- Reduces intestinal reabsorption of bile acids and cholesterol.
Cardiovascular diseases
- It decreases the production of foamy cells involved in the formation of atheroma plaque.
- Regulates systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
- Promotes vasodilation.
- Improves the elasticity of blood vessels.
- Consequently, it reduces the risk of myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular accidents.
Anti-inflammatory diet to control obesity-related risk factors
Finally, we must remember that although genetic predisposition plays an important role in the development of many diseases, lifestyle will favor their appearance or help prevent them.
Adopting an anti-inflammatory diet, which includes foods rich in polyphenols and unsaturated fats (omega 3), helps treat inflammation, control weight and protect health. Ask your nutritionist for advice.
