A recent study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food has shed light on the potential of certain common foods to lower inflammation and reduce mortality risk. The study, led by researchers from the University of South Florida and the University of Memphis, analyzed data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) to identify specific foods associated with chronic inflammation and mortality. The researchers selected three plant-based and three animal-based food categories from the MESA study based on their perceived availability in the Western diet. The plant-based categories included avocado, greens, and broccoli, while the animal-based categories were ham, sausage, and eggs. The study assessed several inflammatory markers, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), fibrinogen antigen, C-reactive protein, D-Dimer, interleukin-2, matrix metalloproteinase-3, necrosis factor-a soluble receptors, oxidized LDL (oxLDL), and total homocysteine. The primary outcome was the multivariable association of foods and inflammatory markers with all-cause mortality. All inflammatory markers, except oxLDL, were found to be associated with mortality in univariate analysis, with the largest effect seen with IL-6 and D-dimer. Notably, the category of broccoli, which included broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, sauerkraut, and kimchee had the most consistent association in univariate analyses with lower inflammation and lower mortality odds. Chronic inflammation has been linked to various health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer. The findings of this study suggest that dietary interventions, particularly those involving cruciferous vegetables, may play a crucial role in reducing inflammation and improving overall health outcomes.

The ability to meet the demands of your life with abundant energy, to rest and recover fully, and to be as adaptable as needed to how demands may change over time outside your control, or to how you may choose to willfully change the purpose of your life. It is a state in which the body functions at its optimum without pain or symptoms. This is my definition of health. What is yours?