Wegener’s granulomatosis is a rare condition where inflammation of the blood vessels impedes normal blood flow. The exact cause is unknown, according to PubMed Health, but it is thought to be an autoimmune disorder -- where your body attacks its own tissue. Diet does not constitute a routine treatment for Wegener's granulomatosis, but making certain changes may help reduce the inflammation characteristic of this disease. Talk to your doctor about any questions you have regarding your diet.
Anti-Inflammatory Fats
According to an article published in the December 2002 issue of ‘’The Journal of the American College of Nutrition,’’ omega-3 fatty acids appear to reduce inflammation in various ways, such as altering the actions and production of hormones called "eicosanoids," which influence the inflammatory response in the body. The fats in fish seem to be more potent that the omega-3 fatty acids found in plant sources, such as walnuts and flaxseed. The article reports that several double-blind, placebo-controlled trials using fish oil for various chronic inflammatory conditions found that these fats reduced disease activity. Cold-water fish, such as salmon, are the richest sources of omega-3 fatty acids, and you can find other foods fortified with these fats, such as eggs; do not use fish oil supplements without checking with your doctor first.
Pro-Inflammatory Fats
Fats in particular influence inflammation because the body uses them to synthesize hormones that impact it for better or worse. Certain fats lead to the creation of pro-inflammatory chemicals. Cut back on omega-6 fatty acids, found in sunflower oil, safflower oil, corn oil and soybean oil, saturated fats found in animal products and trans fats -- also known as hydrogenated oils.
Fighting Inflammation with Antioxidants
Antioxidants are a class of nutrients believed to offer various health benefits when consumed as a regular part of the diet. Any attempts at reducing inflammation through nutrition will call for regularly eating foods rich in these inflammation-fighting substances. Eating more fruits and vegetables in all the available colors will help you get the widest range of antioxidants.
Cutting Back on Refined Carbohydrates and Sugar
Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN nurse practitioner at the Women to Women Health Center in Maine, recommends cutting back on refined carbohydrates and sugar to reduce inflammation. Pick explains that these foods create surges in insulin that trigger the production of inflammation-causing hormones and affect the actions of chemicals in a way that promotes inflammation.
Considerations for Food Allergies
Normally, inflammation sends a signal out that something harmful has invaded and it puts the immune system to work in fighting it off. Food allergies cause the body to respond in a similar manner since it sees the food as dangerous. If you are regularly eating something you have an allergy to, you are triggering frequent inflammation. Consider getting tested for food allergies; the most common allergens are wheat, dairy, soy, fish, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts and eggs.
