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COMPLEMENTARY
HEALTH
FIGHTING
INFLAMMATION
in the kitchen
By Michael J. Wargovich, Ph.D., F.A.C.N.
? Should an anti-inflammatory diet be
an integral part of discharge planning?
Here in San Antonio, researchers at the University of Texas a global phenomenon as well: the greatest risk for cancer in the next
Health Science Center are testing the hypothesis that daily exposure 20 years will be in the developing world, where acculturation has
to combinations of culinary-based anti-inflammatories might offset led to dietary changes consistent with a tidal-wave of chronic in-
health risks. flammatory diseases.
Amelie Ramirez, Dr. P.H., professor and director of the Institute CHRONIC INFLAMMATION: WHEN SOMETHING
for Health Promotion Research (IHPR) at the UT Health Science GOOD GOES BAD
Center, and I teamed with St. Anthony Hotel Chef Iverson
Brownell to conduct a six-month intervention trial in overweight In its acute form, inflammation is a natural healing process that
breast cancer survivors. The investigation: to see whether education marshals the immune system and cellular and chemical mediators
and active consumption of anti-inflammatory foods affected to repair tissue damage and repel infection. Then, when healing is
chronic inflammation. The primary goal of the clinical trial is to achieved, the inflammatory process stops. In its chronic form the
find out if a diet enriched in anti-inflammatory herbs and spices inflammatory process is unabated. That causes sustained cellular
reduced blood measures of C-reactive protein, a marker used to and tissue injury. Chronic inflammation can result in a “hijacking”
measure whole body inflammation. Supported by the Komen of cell signaling pathways that can mute future immune responses
Foundation for the Cure, the trial is in its analytical phase and re- and enable cancer cells, for instance, to acquire the ability to invade
sults may be known by the end of this year. and metastasize.
Chronic inflammation plays a role in a spectrum of chronic dis- Anti-inflammatory drugs control both forms of inflammation
eases, including Alzheimer’s, arthritis, cancer, diabetes, heart disease and provide a first-line defense to combat the consequences of
and obesity. The Center for Disease Control estimates that seven chronic inflammation. It has been known for some time that per-
out of 10 Americans die of chronic inflammatory diseases and these sistent use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (aspirin,
account for the vast majority of doctor-visits. ibuprofen and the like) reduce risk for heart disease, certain cancers,
and Alzheimer’s. However, these drugs are unsafe for widespread
San Antonio and South Texas are no strangers to the constellation use due to dangerous side effects like bleeding, ulceration, stroke,
of chronic inflammatory diseases, with residents experiencing some and impaired kidney function.
of the highest diagnoses of obesity and diabetes in the nation. It’s
18 San Antonio Medicine • November 2015
