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Stop Aging Now! - Page 2

© Robert M. Oliva

Besides cytokine elevation there is another inflammatory pathway that causes us trouble. The over production of “pro-inflammatory hormone-like “messengers” (such as prostaglandin E2) and under-production of anti-inflammatory “messengers” (such as prostaglandin E1 and E3)” can cause problems similar to that of cytokine elevation.

What to do

Blood tests are the quickest way of determining cytokine levels. But the Cytokine Profile is extremely expensive and out of the reach of most of us. You can speak to your physician to find out if your insurance company will cover the tests. The cytokines you want to have tested are Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-a), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Interleukin 1 beta (IL-1), Leukotriene B(4) LTB(4). These tests will indicate to you if your cytokine levels are elevated.

If you can not afford the blood tests or just wish to protect yourself from the ravages of chronic inflammation there are many things you can do right now to make sure you don’t live your later years disabled and in constant pain. The basic and most fundamental way to protect yourself is through dietary changes.

The Anti-inflammatory Diet

The diet recommended to reduce inflammation is similar to Gary Null’s Alkaline Diet used to combat cancer that can be found in his The Complete Encyclopedia of Natural Healing. Stay away from foods that produce acids. This includes fatty meats, white bread products (white bread, pasta, etc.), high glycemic carbohydrates (fruit juices, rice, especially rice cakes), etc. Eat foods with a low glycemic index most fresh vegetables, (especially avocado and guacamol), Salmon and other fish, oatmeal, nuts, olives and olive oil. What you eat can significantly affect the level of inflammation you experience. By eating fresh, natural, alkaline foods the chemical pathways that produce cytokines will not be activated. Moreover, by eating low glycemic foods you will assist the body in producing the anti-inflammatory prostaglandins you need to reduce chronic, systemic inflammation.

Supplementing your diet with specific nutrients can also be helpful. Along with a general regimen of supplementation that you have learned about from reading the articles posted on this site you need to entertain a few targeted supplements. The nutrients most helpful to you will be the hormone DHEA, vitamin K, and fish oils. All three of these items have been found to successfully reduce the production of dangerous and destructive cytokines. Vitamin E and n-acetyl-cysteine have also been found to reduce pro-inflammatory elements.

If you take the time to make the simple and affective changes recommended you may find a clear improvement in your overall health profile but especially in the area of inflammation and degenerative diseases. Give it a try. You can only feel better.

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