by Jaime A. Heidel
See all TBYIL articles by Jaime A. Heidel

(The Best Years in Life) Do you live with chronic inflammation and pain? It may surprise you to learn that there is a very strong connection between diet and inflammation. No matter what type of illness you live with, you can lessen or even stop your pain just by changing your diet. Read More.

When inflammation occurs, chemicals from the body's white blood cells are released into the blood or affected tissues to protect your body from foreign substances. Inflammation can also cause chronic disease such as heart disease, obesity and diabetes. Taking pain medications like steroids for the treatment of pain long term can cause serious side effects that can cause detrimental damage to your body and actually contribute to weight gain, hormonal changes, heart disease, diabetes and cataracts. Inflammation is the release of chemicals increases the blood flow to the area of injury or infection, and may result in redness and warmth. Inflammation caused by injury can be treated by applying a warm moist cloth and heating pad on the injured area for ten minutes and then follow up by applying ice to that area for ten minutes. Do this once per hour until pain is relieved. Ice is a natural method to relieve pain without drug use. Topical treatments can also be applied to a sore area to relieve pain such as Biofreeze found at your local drug store.

Choosing foods that reduce inflammation internally is a good place to start. Upon waking drink one glass of water with fresh squeezed lemon to alkaline your blood PH level and reduce inflammation. Lemon juice will flush out toxins as it normalizes your acidity levels. Drink 8 to 12 glasses of water throughout the day to stay hydrated. Eat organic foods such as fresh vegetables and fruits that contain vital nutrients your body needs to restore balance and remove inflammation. According to the Arthritis Foundation there are 8 Food ingredients that can cause inflammation in your body. Foods to avoid are salt, sugar, aspartame, refined carbohydrates found in white breads and pastas, omega 6, MSG preservative in foods, alcohol, gluten and casein found in breads and pastas, saturated fats and more. Enjoy a clean diet with fresh ingredients such as organic grains, rice, fruits and vegetables, fresh ginger, black tea, nuts, seeds, olive oil, grape seed oil, avocado oil and coconut oil, fresh fish and soy products. Bromelain enzyme found in pineapple or tablet form can reduce inflammation. Cherry juice or cherries have been known to treat gout a joint inflammatory disorder. These are the foods that reduce inflammation naturally.