You are here: HOME > About > Publication > Macao Sport
2011 / NO.2
2011 / NO.2
Sports and Nutrition - Diet and Inflammation

It is known that such sport-related injuries as ankle sprain, tennis elbow, Frozen Shoulders, pull and strain would result in inflammation of muscles and soft tissues. If the inflammation was inadequately treated, the injury recovery period would be prolonged. Besides various medications that can certainly function as anti-inflammatory agents, some foods rich in lycopene and anti-oxidants may also offer a relief, such as tomatos, water melons, carrots, strawberries, oranges and kiwis. An anti-inflammatory diet is generally referred to as balanced and diversified. One should have a larger intake of vegetables and fruits while reducing the consumption of such refined carbohydrates as white rice, white bread and rice noodles. And foods containing saturated and trans fats, such as cake, butter, plant-derived butter and shortening, should be avoided. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, as deep ocean fish, hard nuts, and seeds as well as ginger and garlic also help soothing the inflammation. Extra virgin olive oil contains one kind of an organic substance called “oleocantal”, which acts similar to a kind of analgesic, ibuprofen, on its inflammation-resolved and pain-relieved effects. Furthermore, vegetables, fruits, dieting with unrefined carbohydrates, low-saturated and trans fats may help increase the endogenous levels of PG-E1 and PG-E3. And these two types of prostaglandin have strong anti-inflammatory functions. In contrast, a large intake of saturated and trans fats may increase the level of PG-E2, which is a pro-inflammatory hormone.