Foods That Harm, Foods That Heal

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Most people exceed the intake recommendations for omega-6 fats, which are found in many plant oils and butter. Kennedy OJ, et al. (2016). Systematic review with meta-analysis: Coffee consumption and the risk of cirrhosis. For example, a 2012 study in 562 older adults found that those who had elevated blood sugar levels also had lower immune responses and higher levels of the inflammatory marker CRP ( 7).

Although double-cooking potatoes lowers the potassium content, it’s important to remember that their potassium content isn’t eliminated by this method. Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and polysorbate-80 (P80) are commonly used emulsifiers that have been linked to immune dysfunction in rodent studies ( 42, 43).

Green Tea

Regardless, researchers recommend that you maintain a healthy balance of omega-6 to omega-3 fats, which is considered to be around 1:1 to 4:1, to promote overall health ( 3). According to a 2023 analysis, studies have also shown that these antioxidants can help reduce the development of hepatic fibrosis. Hepatic fibrosis is a harmful condition in which excessive connective tissue builds up in the liver. This typically results from chronic inflammation.

Eggs are highly nutritious and can often fit into a balanced renal diet. However, people following a low protein diet may need to moderate their intake, depending on the amount of protein that they are allotted each day ( 48). Is coffee bad for the kidneys? Similarly, many other studies have linked high blood sugar levels to an impaired immune response in people with and without diabetes ( 8, 9, 10).Sinicropi MS, et al. (2022). Opuntia ficus indica(L.) Mill. an ancient plant source of nutraceuticals. Fatty fish contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are healthy fats that help reduce inflammation and have been associated with a lower risk of heart disease. Tang, K. L., et al. (2017). Restricting the use of antibiotics in food-producing animals and its associations with antibiotic resistance in food-producing animals and human beings: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Gosal H, et al. (2021). The significance of the Mediterranean diet in the management of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review.

Lastly, corn syrup, salt, artificial sweeteners, and the natural food additive citrate may also negatively affect your immune system ( 41). Summary Additionally, eating too much salt has been shown to worsen existing autoimmune diseases like ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus ( 18). Another study had similar findings, reporting that supplementing with green tea extract for 12 weeks significantly reduced liver enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in people with NAFLD. Blueberries and cranberries contain anthocyanins, which are antioxidants that give berries their distinctive colors. They’ve also been linked to many health benefits. Foods that significantly raise blood sugar, such as those high in added sugars, increase the production of inflammatory proteins like tumor necrosis alpha (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP), and interleukin-6 (IL-6), all of which negatively affect immune function ( 3).According to a study from 2018, following a Mediterranean diet rich in olive oil could be associated with a reduced risk of fatty liver in older adults. Singh, R. K., et al. (2017). Influence of diet on the gut microbiome and implications for human health. College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences: "Study Shows Broccoli May Offer Protection Against Liver Cancer." Therefore, reducing your intake of table salt and high salt foods may benefit your immune function. Summary

For example, studies in a 2016 research review have shown that drinking coffee helps lower the risk of cirrhosis, or permanent liver damage, in people with chronic liver disease. Whole wheat bread may be more nutritious, mostly due to its higher fiber content. However, white bread is usually recommended over whole wheat varieties for individuals with kidney disease.Ghaffar S, et al. (2022). What is the influence of grape products on liver enzymes? A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials. Not everyone can have Janice around to tell you what to do and what to eat. The next best thing is Reader's Digest Book's Foods that Harm; Foods that Heal: What to Eat to Beat Disease. It is a handy-dandy guide --very easy to follow with lots of good advice. This is a revised and updated version of a book that has been around for a long time. It is very colorful, very complete, and extremely useful as a family guide. What’s more, having high blood sugar levels may inhibit the response of neutrophils and phagocytes, two types of immune cells that help protect against infection ( 4). Chen L, et al. (2023). Naringenin is a potential immunomodulator for inhibiting liver fibrosis by inhibiting the cGAS-STING pathway.