[DeliciousCauliflower]

I have had chronic inflammation for several years now. I'm pretty sure it started because I was a binge eater and gained a ton of weight while taking heaps of psychiatric medications and smoking on and off. All of my OTHER blood work is normal and healthy including my cholesterol and triglycerides. My blood sugar is also remarkably fine. My liver is good too.

So I've been dieting and exercising since January and I became a vegetarian again three weeks ago. I got my blood tested about a week ago and low and behold my High Sensitivity C Reactive Protein, aka CRP was 11.6.

I read a TIME article about inflammation being another silent killer. It's said to be the precursor to all kinds of disease states. I don't know whether or not I should take some kind of supplement like fish oil in order to help clear up leftover inflammation from my previous life as a very unhealthy person. I guess the decision is up to me but I am proud of being a vegetarian and taking fish oil would make me an animal consumer again.

What are my choices and how long will it take for me to have less inflammation?

 

[jessandreia]

Walnuts, flaxseed, hemp seeds.

 

[odizzido]

Flax is the superior option if you are trying to maintain a ratio of omega 3 : omega 6 more in favour of 3s than what a normal veggy diet provides. Apparently this is a good thing but I've not done any research into the subject.

 

[Naturebound]

There are veg*n versions of DHA/EPA that you can take as well that are derived from seaweed (where fish get their DHA). I have supplemented with it off and on and like the DEVA brand the most. I order it online and one bottle will last me a few months if I take it regularly. Otherwise, I make sure to include a few servings of nuts/seeds in my diet each day. One way to get flaxseed in your diet daily is to drink flaxmilk. I have seen it in healthfood stores but have also made it myself by blending flaxseeds, water, and dates. 1/4 cup of flaxseeds makes six cups of flaxmilk. I also grind my flaxseed into flaxmeal and add it to various foods. Chia seeds can be added to smoothies and puddings etc and is great for omega 3s too. I incorporate chopped walnuts into salads regularly.

My husband has rheumatoid arthritis (diagnosed in 2012) on top of an immune deficiency and hemolytic anemia and we spent a lot of time going to hospitals, specialists, even traveling to see doctors to treat all his conditions. I did a lot of research on RA/inflammation and diet and it seems that a diet that eliminates dairy especially and also most meat is best for reducing inflammation. I remember finding these studies and discussing it with a few of his doctors from the Mayo Clinic who surprisingly are advocates of plant based diets. I have also read that a veg*n diet is very helpful for people with endometriosis (this disease is aggravated by inflammatory prostoglandins):

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10479237
http://rheumatology.oxfordjournals.org/content/40/10/1175.full
http://www.obgyn.net/endometriosis/dietary-recommendations-endometriosis

A vegetarian diet that is heavy on fruits and vegetables, whole grains (not processed flour products but intact whole grains), beans, nuts and seeds is excellent for reducing inflammation due to the antioxidant properties and alkalinity in fruits/veggies and the fiber in the whole grains and beans. Dairy and meat are also much more acidic which in turn can aggravate and worsen inflammation.

I wish I could say my husband went totally vegetarian and reduced the symptoms of his RA but he still consumes loads of dairy and occasionally meat. :/ Even after I showed him these studies. I wish I had gone veg*n way back when I had severe endometriosis. I do remember avoiding dairy like the plague, especially cheese, because it made the pain of my endo so much worse. But it never occured to me back then that a veg*n diet would help control the disease.

 

[Naturebound]

I forgot to mention...I had a few running injuries in 2012 (achilles tendonitis and a pelvic stress fracture) and I wanted to avoid taking conventional painkillers as much as possible. I ate a ton of pineapple and added turmeric to lots of foods, did epsom salt soaks, and ice etc. The pineapple has bromelain which helps reduce inflammation, and turmeric is great for that too.

 

[silva]

I didn't even know what that test meant.
I have osteo-arthritis that flares up in my ankles and knees. The last time I ate dairy I found it swelling and paining my hands, as well as knees and ankles. Giving up dairy has been the best thing I could have done.

I also use tumeric and fresh ground black pepper in many foods. Ginger, garlic, and so many Indian based spices are also very anti-inflammatory. This is not just anecdotal but well researched.

Good luck on your journey!
Keep in mind that you're not giving anything up, you're discovering a new life.

 

[silva]

I forgot to mention...I had a few running injuries in 2012 (achilles tendonitis and a pelvic stress fracture) and I wanted to avoid taking conventional painkillers as much as possible. I ate a ton of pineapple and added turmeric to lots of foods, did epsom salt soaks, and ice etc. The pineapple has bromelain which helps reduce inflammation, and turmeric is great for that too.

I ate a lot of fresh pineapple this past year and didn't even give that credit!
I do know how much too much can hurt your mouth! :laugh:

 

[Tom]

I think it's true that vegetarians or vegans can wind up consuming too much Omega-6 in proportion to their omega-3 fats. I'm learning about inflammation resulting from diet, but we do need some fats, both 6 and 3 (and maybe others I'm not thinking of at the moment).