Nutrition and Inflammation
Nadia Rudenko Msc. R.D.
Objectives:
Definition Types of immune system & inflammation Mechanism of combating infection /disease Components of anti-inflammatory lifestyle
Inflammation in broader sense , is the body's response to tissue injury
More precise definition:
Inflammation is a response to cellular injury marked by vasodilation, white blood cell infiltration, redness, heat, pain, swelling, and often loss of function; a mechanism for eliminating noxious agents and damaged tissue
It is a normal process of healing mediated by immune system
Immune system
Innate or non specific immune system.
Fist line of defense system
Quick to respond to invaders
Not antigen specific Does not remember
previous encounters
Adaptive (acquired) or specific immune system Takes time to react
Antigen specific Remembers previous
encounters
Types of inflammatory response
Acute: involves vasoconctraction followed quickly by vasodilation, leaky endothelial cells.
The names given to conditions refers to tissue site
Chronic inflammation does not always arise from uncontrolled acute inflammation.
Often marked by slow and often asymptomatic onset.
Secondary to persistent infection
Exposure to exogenously or endogenously produced toxic agents
Chronic inflammation
Chronic inflammation is the underlying cause of many “so-called” age-related diseases.
The main complication of it is overproduction of collagen (the main protein of connective tissue) leading to the condition known as a fibrosis .
Cells – fibroblasts enter the damaged tssue and produce collagen.
Examples of acute and chronic inflammation
Acute:
Meningitis or Encephalitis
Pericarditis
Esophagitis or Colitis
Appendicitis
Hepatitis or Pancreatitis
Osteomyelitis (Bone)
Cellulitis(Subcutaneous tissue)
Arthritis
Chronic:
Arthritis
Atherosclerosis
Lupus
Celiac disease
Vasculitis COPD
Tuberculosis
IBD
Psoriasis & Pancreatitis
In addition
There is evidence that chronic inflammation involved in:
Alzheimer's Fibromyalgia Cancer
All of these conditions are stem from the common denominator of uncontrolled, often undetected systemic inflammation
The endothelium is the “gatekeeper” of the blood vessels.
Functions:
Vasoconstriction / vasodilation
Inflammation
Blood clotting/ blood viscosity
Platelet adhesion /plaque accumulation
The formation of new blood vessels
The passage of WBC in/out of the blood stream
Fluid balance
Sources of Endothelial Dysfunction
Immune complexes Blood lipids Angioplasty Germs HTN Stress
Hypoxia Acidosis Smoking Aging DM Trauma Surgery
Chronic inflammatory diseases that contribute to Endothelial dysfunction
Obesity Infections Periodontal disease Environmental toxins, drugs and tobacco Autoimmune disease
Endothelial dysfunction has been associated with all known CVD
Sources of damaged endothelial cells
Oxidative stress or free radicals (excessive production of oxidative substances)
Insufficient amount of antioxidants to neutralize free radicals from endogenous or exogenous sources.
Several possibilities for prevention
Risk assessment and control Analyzing Markers of inflammation Diet Therapy Physical Activity Smoking cessation Lifestyle modification
Risk factors contributing to inflammation and endothelial
dysfunction MS/ DM /Prediabetes Blood Markers(App B; A-1; TG; SDLDL; Oxidazed
LDL, Antibodies against LDL; Lipoprotein (a;) Homocysteine.
IL-6; CRP;
CRP is a protein produced by the liver in response to inflammation. Any condition that leads to inflammation will cause the production and release of CRP. Smoking, genetics, stress, arthritis, diabetes, obesity, rheumatoid arthritis, dementia, high blood pressure colorectal cancer, the aging process, and damaged and an inflamed arterial endothelium will all cause an elevation of C reactive protein. It is an indirect, non-specific measurement of inflammation and oxidation.
Understanding C- Reactive protein
Interpretation hs-CRP & Homocysteine Results
CRP Lower than 1.0 mg/L- Low Risk
CRP- 1.0-3.0 mg/L-Average Risk
CRP higher than 3.0 mg/L-High Risk
Homocysteine less than 6.5 = Low Risk for CVD
Homocyseine 8.1 to 10.4 = Moderate-High Risk for CVD
Homocysteine greater than 10.4 = High Risk for CVD
Methods for reducing inflammation
Drugs Diet Activity Smoking cessation
Drugs: NSID- (Ibuprofen, Naproxen,
Cox-2 inhibitors) Aspirin Statins & Fibrates
Side effects: liver, nerve, muscle, and heart damage,
Statin drugs have been shown to exert an anti-inflammatory effect, and it is the modest anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory effect that is responsible for a reduction in oxidized LDL cholesterol and arterial inflammation. Less oxidized LDL cholesterol and less arterial inflammation, the less plaque that will build up within the arterial endothelium.
However, natural antioxidants, vitamin C, turmeric extract, essential fatty acids (fish oil) do more to reduce oxidized LDL cholesterol and arterial inflammation and lower CRP than cholesterol-lowering statin drugs, AND without the dangerous side-effects of statins (liver, nerve, muscle, and heart damage, ….let alone death). The B complex vitamins and betaine (tri-methly-glycine) lower homocysteine levels, which means less “scratching up” of the endothelium, i.e., less arterial inflammation, and lower CRP levels.
Role of Diet & Activity
Fat: Omega-3, Omega-6, Ratio of n-6/n-3 Monounsaturated fats:
Plants sources include avocado, raw soaked nuts (almonds, cashews, pecans and macadamia) and olive oils. Eating monounsaturated fats reduces inflammation by interfering with leukotrienes (naturally produced molecules that contribute to inflammation
Helpful Diets
Mediterranean Diet: Portfolio Diet: Optimal Diet:
Portfolio Diet
Nuts
Plant's sterols(soy protein flax seeds)
Soluble Fiber (oatmeal, chia seeds, berries...)
Vegetable Protein (soy beens, lentils, beans, amaranth, quanua)
Greens, crusifirous vegetables
Omega- 3 (chia seed/ flax seed oil supplements, Fish oil, DHA Microalge)
Optimal Diet
Role of Diet & Activity
Dietary pattern
Supplements & Spices
Spices:
Turmeric,Curry,Ginger,
Garlic and chili peppers
Supplements:
Vit C, B , D,
Fish oil
Olive extract,
Grape seed Extract
Betaine, Magnesium
Anti-inflammatory foods
Foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids
(Fish like tuna, cod, herring, trout, salmon, sardines, snapper)
Nuts and seeds like walnuts, almonds, hemp seeds, chia seeds, hazelnuts, pumpkin seeds, flaxseeds/linseeds.
Good oils like olive oil, avocado oil (be careful of the amount of oil you are eating – as they are still high in fat!!)
Fish oil supplements can also be taken if you don’t eat fish. N-3 from Microalgy.
Green leafy vegetables
A range of colored fruits, but particularly berries, like blueberries and strawberries
Soybeans, tofu, and soy milk
Whole-grain breads, cereals and pasta
Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids:
Animal Sources: wild salmon, anchovies, mackerel & sardines
Plant Sources: hemp, chia seeds, flaxseed meal and walnuts
Pro-inflammatory foods
Junk foods and processed foods Fast foods and take-away foods High-fat dairy foods like full cream dairy products –
choose low fat options Fatty cuts of meat, especially red meats, mince and
chops Processed meats (luncheon meats, hot dogs etc) High-sugar foods
Web Resources
www.Nutrition MD.org
www.CancerProject.org
www.drmcdougal.com
www.vrg.org
http://5aDay.gov
www.enthusiasticlife.net
Q/A