There is a new type of inflammation which can cause low Mojo. It’s called metaflammation and is a type of metabolically induced low grade inflammation, so low that it’s about 3% of normal inflammation levels. It was first discovered in the 1990’s and was thought to be the cause of obesity. It now appears metaflammation is far more insidious and is related to many chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes. The main drivers of metaflammation are lifestyle and environmental factors.

Foods that can fight inflammation have been a hot topic for a few years but recent research using blood tests before and after eating particular foods have determined the most accurate answers.  In a study completed at Sydney University and published in the British Journal of Nutrition, wagyu beef significantly increased metaflammation while kangaroo did not. The researchers suggest the result is due to an immune reaction to a form of fat in the wagyu to which humans have not yet evolved.

When looking from a historical context, foods that we have eaten for thousands of years such as fish, fruit, vegetables, nuts & seeds often form the basis of a “healthy” diet. While more recently introduced foods like coffee, processed fructose & fast foods tend to produce the inflammatory response linked to metaflammation.

So what is the answer to maximising your Mojo, staying trim and lowering your risk factors for chronic disease? Keep it simple and eat like your forebears did. My 50 Day Digestive Repair Program is excellent for addressing and eliminating inflammation.

References

Arya F et al. Differences in post-prandial inflammatory responses to a modern vs traditional meat meal. Br J Nutrition 2010, 104:724-728