Throughout my life, I knew this moment was coming. Aging, the “slow decline,” as some folks would say. “Just wait until you experience it,” they’d tell me. Now, moving into my fifties, I have to admit that I could never have anticipated how much I would enjoy this process based on the messages I grew up hearing. Rather than being something to fear, aging is a reason for celebration. Becoming older is becoming more beautiful. We live in an era where our age, rather than limiting us, is starting to open up possibilities, and taking control of our lives, especially as women, is a vital part of that process. We are beautiful older women. The time has come to move beyond anti-wrinkle cream and anti-aging products to embrace what is the new norm. It is not wrong; it is simply, powerfully, different.
Technically speaking, aging is when the cells in our bodies don’t quite replicate or take care of us and our systems in the way they used to when we were younger. However, aging doesn’t just happen with a sudden snap of the fingers around the age of 40. Your lungs begin to age as soon as your early 20s. Our whole life, we are dying. Think about that. And yet, aging is a lot more about changing than it is about dying. That may seem radical to say, but as I’ve gotten more used to the shifts in my body, mind, and heart, I see how these changes do not necessarily have to be good or bad. Rather, they exist beyond this good-bad binary and they defy my expectations. To age gracefully is to sink into acceptance and to open up to curiosity in a way that is radical, revolutionary, and powerful.
Creators, teachers, and health enthusiasts often say that you don’t need to reinvent the wheel; most things have already been tested, proved, and experienced. When it comes to combating inflammation, a difficult effect of aging and a product of older injuries, gastrointestinal challenges, and other bodily shifts, it is important to stick to the secrets of centuries past.
Turmeric as Anti-Inflammatory
India produces over 95% of the world’s turmeric, and Indians have used turmeric for millennia. The active compound of turmeric, curcumin, holds most of the healing and anti-inflammatory power. Through ayurvedic medicine, the oldest known system of medicine, turmeric has factored into various healing remedies. When a child falls, the mother will often give her a cup of warm milk with turmeric. Daily doses of turmeric, the yellow-gold spice that can be bought in most grocery and health stores in the U.S. now, have been noted for their ability to minimize inflammation. Curcumin, the active compound, has been studied for reducing effects of osteoarthritis and arthritis.
How to Consume Turmeric
Consumption of turmeric can occur in many forms. Ayurvedic doctors often recommend incorporating it into daily cooking practices, rather than taking a capsule. The spice, slightly spicy, pairs well with curry, cinnamon, and cloves. You can drink it with warm milk or water, or in a tea, as many companies now sell turmeric tea. In general, it’s recommended not to have more than 3 mg/kg per day. Also, turmeric is best absorbed into the body when it is taken with a healthy fat source, like avocado, or when it is paired with black pepper which has an activating compound, piperine, which helps the turmeric infuse into the body.
Ginger and Gingerol: Soothe the Body
Ginger, when consumed in powdered or the raw root form, is an excellent source of anti-inflammation properties for the body. The active compounds in the root, gingerol and zingerone, have been studied for their abilities to reduce the effects of colitis, kidney damage, diabetes and cancer. It also can fight oxidative damage, the accumulation of harmful free radicals, or toxins, in the body through food, the environment, and cleaning and beauty products. Ginger, like many spices and roots, must be taken in doses. It is recommended not to consume more than 2-3 grams, as an excess can cause digestive issues or heartburn. It is a warming flavor, often paired well with clove, cinnamon, curry, and cayenne pepper. When cooking with ginger, it can easily be used to coat poultry, fish, or vegetables. There are also many teas that are infused with ginger, or a simple boiled water with ginger can suffice.
Cayenne Pepper: Spice of Life
Cayenne pepper anti inflammatory
Though a spicy food doesn’t typically conjure images of anti-inflammation, cayenne pepper contains capsaicin, the compound that makes the pepper hot, and that also helps with inflammation. The pepper also contains antioxidants, flavonoids and phytonutrients that break down free radicals at a cellular level, leading to less inflammation. Recommended doses, according to University of Maryland’s Medical Center, is between 30-120 mg. It can be consumed in powder form, added to food, or taken as a supplement.
Getting Started with Anti-Inflammation
These three sources of anti-inflammatory properties can be incorporated into the daily diet in a variety of ways. Start with one and notice if there are any improved effects in the body. From there, begin to incorporate other foods that can reduce inflammation and, combined with a healthy diet and exercise and plentiful amount of water, enjoy the benefits of a more relaxed body.
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