The jury is still out on whether or not dairy products cause inflammation — or help counteract inflammation in the body.
The National Center for Biotechnology Information cites an intensive study concluding that “Dairy products, in particular fermented products, have anti-inflammatory properties in humans not suffering from allergy to milk, in particular in subjects with metabolic disorders.” And the Arthritis Foundation said that, while there are conflicting research findings, “some people with arthritis and related conditions find that avoiding certain foods can reduce flares.”
When I began switching to an anti-inflammatory diet, I didn’t know what to think. I was desperate to stop the consuming nerve pain in my legs, so I thought I’d give a non-dairy diet a try. And it worked. I gave up most dairy products and shortly after began incorporating more whole grains into my diet, while ditching some processed foods. And my nerve pain is down. The diet helps! I can’t pinpoint what exactly is helping reduce inflammation, but it sure is having a positive effect on my body.
I’m not perfect, and I definitely sneak ice cream here and there. But for the most part, giving up dairy was a lot easier than I expected. Here’s how I made the switch: