From The Take-Out Diet

Try to eliminate added fructose from your diet. Excess fructose is associated with irritable bowel disease. 80% of dietary fructose is processed by the liver and can cause non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Fructose in the blood stream is a serious inflammatory compound. It had adverse effect on the kidney, causes gout, disrupts digestion and inflames the tissues it enters.

The Framingham study suggests that glucose is also inflammatory. The research here isn't so solid, the data is confusing.

Monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats are both inflammatory. In contrast omega-9 fats, the saturated fats seem to be protective. (Which is the opposite of what we've been taught.)

Both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are essential in our diet, because the body cannot produce these compounds. One problem with modern diets is that there is too much omega-6, the polyunsaturated fats.

Polyunsaturated fats, increase allergic reactions, so eczema, hay fever, and asthma are more likely to occur.

High intakes of carbohydrate increase insulin levels in the blood and that is inflammatory. It causes insulin resistance, impaired beta-cell function and diabetes.

Inflammation Damage to the Body

Some foods can trigger an inflammatory response where the immune system starts attacking healthy tissues.

Example of an obese person with obvious inflammation problems.

Problems with Whole Grains:
Grains are supposed to be the backbone of the modern low fat diet. But grains are problematic, because they have compounds intended in the field to protect the grain from pests, like phytic acid and lectin.

Phytic acid also known as phytate is indigestible by humans. In the digestive tract it binds to several nutrients prohibiting their availability for absorption into the body. Phytic acid also appears to inhibit the function of several enzymes.

Lectin is a similar agent in beans, seeds, some nuts and most grains. Lectin can upset the immune system. It's been shown to damage the walls of the small intestine, allowing the damage coined "leaky gut," which allows bacteria, and toxins into the blood stream.

Gluten is a protein found in many grains, including barley, rye and wheat. Gluten also causes inflammation and in some people "leaky gut." Celiac disease is a severe intolerance for gluten. Only a small number of people have celiac disease, but lots of people report that they seem better if they go gluten free. It's possible that most of us have some intolerance to gluten.

Gluten has had all the press headlines, but phytic acid and lectin may be just as important, all causing inflammation in the blood vessels. This is the likely cause of many metabolic diseases. [Dr Colin E. Champ is my reference here.]

On the other hand, Dr Tim Noakes, thinks that in response to too much carbohydrate, that excess insulin constantly in the blood stream is the prime cause of inflammation.

Insulin, omega-6 oils and fructose are suggested as prime causes of inflammation. Dr Colin Champ says that omega-6 fats produce linoleic acid which causes inflammation and cancers. Omega-3's if they are available dampen down this reaction and are protective. According to him omega-3's are protective against high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, auto immune diseases and cancer.

Omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids are active compounds in cell membranes throughout the body. The concern is that these compounds will find ways to react in a negative way with unsaturated fats and oils. This process is involved in cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and arthritis.

The take-away is to reduce or eliminate the amount of seed oils in your diet.