In recent years, a connection has been made between chronic inflammation and a host of other serious illnesses and diseases. The theory is that if inflammation can be stopped, it might prevent ailments ranging from diabetes to colon cancer to arthritis.

An Oprah magazine article featured a story about one method to measure inflammation in the body that is quickly becoming popular.

A simple blood test can measure C-reactive protein levels in the body, which are indicators of chronic inflammation. Your CRP level could be a greater indication of cardiac arrest risk than poor habits like smoking, cholesterol levels, age, blood pressure, or even family history of the disease.

Here are five ways to lower your CRP levels and consequently, your heart attack risk:

1. The Blood Test.
The first step you need to take is to go to the doctor’s office and ask for a simple blood test that will determine your CRP level and will give you a good idea of what needs to be done or how to monitor the level as you age.

2. Eat Right.
Follow the Mediterranean pyramid diet. This means bulking up on fish instead of read meat. It also means using olive oil instead of other vegetable oils or butter. The bulk of the diet means eating lots of fruits and vegetables and whole grains. It also places the emphasis on including seeds and nuts. Dr. Oz says it helps to shoot for three servings of an omega-3 fatty acid rich fish each week. He specifically recommends salmon or trout.

3. Get Your Vitamin C.
According to Oz, researchers at the University of California at Berkeley did tests showing that people could lover CRP levels by one-fourth by taking 1,000 milligrams of vitamin C each day.

4. Fiber Rich Foods.
Another study, in 2006, showed that people who ate a high-fiber diet had much lower levels of CRP than those who didn’t. Those who ate fiber poor foods had a 37 percent higher chance of having a high CRP level. Oz said people can up their fiber intake by leaving skins on produce or taking a teaspoon of a fiber supplement called psyllium each day. The psyllium can be added to juice or water for breakfast.

5. Eat Chocolate.
Italians researchers have shown that eating 20 grams of dark chocolate (made up of at least 70 percent cocoa) two times a week can lower CRP levels.

Dr. Oz has advocated that people with diabetes who want to help regulate blood sugar levels can try eating the Prickly Pear Cactus. He also spoke of the plant’s ability to cure hangover symptoms.

Nopalea Juice, which is made from the Prickly Pear Cactus, is known as a natural anti-inflammatory. The cactus not only works to fight inflammation, but also is an anti-oxidant.

It helps people with ailments they are suffering right now, but may also help people stave off future illness and disease.

Use of the native Sonoran plant dates back to the time of the Aztecs.

Author Bio: Frank Yocanis has been researching and writing about Antioxidant Foods for the past decade. He has even traveled to the Sonoran desert half a dozen times to study how Nopalea contains amazing properties that help with all kinds of joint pain, including Leg Pain. He is excited to share how this antioxidant-rich drink can change your life.

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: Leg Pain, Natural Antioxidants, Chronic Inflammation, Leg Swelling, Nopalea