Latest Information on Healing Foods and Harmful Foods

[Gerry Davies MD]

STATE-OF-THE-ART PAPER
Reviewed by Dr. Gerry Davies, Owner Lonjevity Superfood Cafe & Bar
Latest Information on Healing Foods and Harmful Foods

Over the last 10 years or so the importance of inflammation as the major cause of cardiovascular diseases, degenerative conditions and diabetes has come to the fore.

The link below is to a state of the art review of the latest theories on the causes of multiple chronic diseases and the importance of a new avenue of research into inflammation occurring after meals (postprandial inflammation). For those interested in scientific papers I recommend downloading the link as it is easier than most if you gloss over the technical jargon, the main messages are clear enough, however here is a summary of the important points.

Dietary Strategies for Improving Post-Prandial Glucose, Lipids, Inflammation, and Cardiovascular Health
James H. O’Keefe, MD, Neil M. Gheewala, MS, Joan O. O’Keefe, RD
Kansas City, Missouri. http://content.onlinejacc.org/cgi/reprint/51/3/249.pdf

The highly processed, refined carbohydrate diet favored in the current American culture frequently leads to exaggerated spikes in blood glucose and lipids after meals. This state, called postprandial dysmetabolism, induces immediate oxidant stress, which increases in direct proportion to the increases in glucose and triglycerides after a meal. The transient increase in free radicals triggers blood vessel damage through inflammation and a propensity for increased blood clotting and high blood pressure.

Post-prandial dysmetabolism is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease even in nondiabetic
individuals. Improvements in diet exert profound and immediate favorable changes in post-prandial dysmetabolism.

Specifically, a diet high in minimally processed, high-fiber, plant-based foods such as vegetables and fruits, whole grains, legumes, and nuts will markedly blunt the post-meal increase in glucose, triglycerides, and inflammation. Additionally, lean protein, vinegar, fish oil, tea, cinnamon, calorie restriction, weight loss, exercise, and low-dose to moderate-dose alcohol each positively impact post-prandial dysmetabolism. This anti-inflammatory diet should be considered for the primary and secondary prevention of coronary artery disease and diabetes.

Introduction (copied from the review):
Systemic inflammation is increasingly recognized as an important mediator of coronary artery disease (CAD) and other common chronic degenerative diseases such as diabetes and Alzheimer dementia (1). In many individuals a maladaptive diet is a major underlying cause of this chronic inflammation (1,2). High-calorie meals rich in processed, easily digestible, quickly absorbable foods and drinks can lead to exaggerated post-prandial elevations in blood glucose and triglycerides (3). Accumulating data from multiple lines of evidence suggests that this condition, termed post-prandial dysmetabolism, is an important and largely unrecognized fundamental disturbance involved in the genesis of inflammation and atherosclerosis (3).
Exaggerated post-prandial spikes in glucose and lipids generate excess free radicals (or reactive oxygen species) that can trigger a biochemical cascade resulting in inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and sympathetic hyperactivity (4,5). These post-prandial changes when repeated multiple times daily eventually lead to atherosclerotic risk factors and CAD. Dietary and lifestyle factors play a central role in the etiology of post-prandial dysmetabolism (3). The hypothesis of this review is that specific dietary strategies can dramatically and immediately improve post-prandial glucose and lipid levels, inflammation, and endothelial function, and if used in the long-term will also improve cardiovascular (CV) health.