The moment we sustain an injury, our body’s inflammatory response kicks in. This inflammation phase of injury lasts between 3-5 days. The first line of defense is to follow the RICES principle during this time period: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation, Stabilize. For those who want to be proactive, there are certain foods and nutrients you can incorporate into your diet to help reduce inflammation. Some good examples include fish (mackerel, salmon, sardines), oils (olive, fish, flax), avocados, mixed nuts and seeds. Other ingredients that are beneficial include curcumin (from turmeric or curry powder), garlic, bromelain (from pineapple), cocoa, tea, and berries. There are also some foods that you should avoid during this early stage of injury. This includes processed foods, and foods high in saturated or trans fats. These are only a few of the many things you can try to help with inflammation following an injury.

Heath Vermette, CAT(C), www.southsherbook.com