The Anti-inflammatory Diet:
Stopping the Coming Epidemic of
Chronic Disease
Michael J. Wargovich, PhD
Cancer Center Council
Distinguished Chair in Oncology
Inflammation and Cancer
 Chronic, clinically invisible,
unresolved inflammation may
create a very high risk for
common cancers
 Tumors corrupt the
inflammatory pathway to
survive
 They hijack the immune
system to give them a growth
advantage
A Common Mechanism?
CVD
Alzheimer’s
Cancer
CHRONIC
INFLAMMATION
Asthma
Mucositis
Esophagitis
Gastritis
Colitis
Obesity
Diabetes
Living in South Texas:
Historically Lower Risks for Cancer
Cancer Rates Now
• But South Texans have
the highest risk in the US
for certain cancers
• If:
You are male
Hispanic
Older
Live in South Texas
• Your risk for LIVER cancer
is 17x greater than
anywhere else in the US
Two Detrimental Forces At Work
• Acculturation
– When people give up their traditional, cultural,
and dietary practices to adopt new, unhealthy
patterns
• Phytochemical Depletion
– Replacement of natural phytochemical sources
– with high calorie, easy access foods low
in natural product content
Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults
BRFSS, 2010
(*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person)
No Data
<10%
10%–14%
15%–19%
20%–24%
25%–29%
≥30%
Age-adjusted Percentage of U.S. Adults Who Had
Diagnosed Diabetes
2009
Missing data
4.5 - 5.9%
7.5 - 8.9%
<4.5%
6.0 - 7.4%
≥9.0%
CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation. National Diabetes Surveillance System
available at http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/statistics
What is Phytochemical Depletion?
When
Number of Plant
Species In the Diet
12, 000 Years ago
7000 plant species
Traditional or
Indigenous Peoples
200 plant species
Multi-tasking, sleepdeprived, overstressed,
the Spurs are in the
playoffs modern SanAntonian
12 species (wheat,
corn, rice, potatoes,
soybeans comprise 90%
of calories)
The
©
CanSurvive
Cuisine Concept
Iverson Brownell, CEC
Michael J. Wargovich, Ph.D.
CanSurvive Cuisine:
Our Mission:
To change the eating patterns and content of the
current American diet, by offering meal plans
rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory plant
compounds, from the freshest available sources.
Let’s work together to create a healthier San Antonio!
Our Focus: Chronic Inflammatory Disease
• More and more people are surviving their first
brush with what are now known as
“inflammatory-driven chronic diseases”.
• The state of medical research has advanced to
the point where “anti-inflammatory” diets can
enter the mainstream and help people who
have initially survived hospitalization to adapt
to a new way of eating, a dietary cuisine
soundly based on intervening on inflammation.
Anti-inflammatory Foods:
daily consumption if possible










Deep Marine Fish (wild)
Lean poultry
Nuts, legumes and seeds
Fresh whole fruits, vegetables
Bright multi-colored vegetables
Garlic, onion, chives, shallots
Dark green leafy vegetables
Olive oil
Green and black tea
Spices: e.g.:
turmeric, black pepper, ginger, cinnamon,
cloves, chillies
Today’s Menu
• Agua fresca
•
Watermelon and pomegranate are
rich in antioxidants; ginger and
rosemary are anti-inflammatory;
black pepper boosts uptake
• Wild Thai Garden
•
Rosemary and ginger; basil; cherries
with peppered vinaigrette boosting
uptake
• Sweet
•
Anthrocyanins in port and berries;
pecans provide omega 3 fatty acids
• Take home
•
Addition of red chillie accelerates the
uptake of chocolate and berry
antioxidants
Green Tea
Camellia Camellia
sinensissinensis
Kills cancer
cells in vitro
Kills cancer
Cells in vivo


Antioxidant
Antiinflammation
Yes/Yes
Compound
EGCG
Research Suggests: Daily
Chef Brownell’s Creation:
Green Tea Vinaigrettes and
Reductions
Ginger
Zingiber officinale
Kills cancer
cells in vitro
Kills cancer
Cells in vivo


Antioxidant
Antiinflammation
Yes/Yes
Compound
GINGEROL
Research Suggests: Often
Chef Brownell’s Creation:
Complement to aqua frescas
Use to marinate meats
Chillies
Capsicum sp.
Kills cancer
cells in vitro
Kills cancer
Cells in vivo


Antioxidant
Antiinflammation
Yes/Yes
Compound
Capsaicin
Research Suggests: Often
Chef Brownell’s Creation:
Blueberries and Chocolate
with Red Chillie Dusting
Black Pepper
Piper nigrum
Piper nigrum
• An essential part of Indian cuisine
• Contains piperine, a substance known to
enhance the uptake of antioxidants and antiinflammatories from other vegetables and
fruits
• Antioxidant in its own right
• Anti-inflammatory, too
Research Suggests: Daily
Chef Brownell’s Creation:
Add to vegetable dishes AND
fruit dishes
Rosemary
Rosemarinus officinalis
Kills cancer
cells in vitro
Kills cancer
Cells in vivo


Antioxidant
Antiinflammation
Compound
Yes/Yes
Ursolic
Acid
Research Suggests: Often
Chef Brownell’s Creation:
Complement to aqua frescas
Use in all meat dishes
Red Grapes, Berries
Melons, Cherries
Kills cancer
cells in vitro
Kills cancer
Cells in vivo


Antioxidant
Antiinflammation
Compound
Yes/Yes
Resveratrol
Research Suggests: Daily
Chef Brownell’s Creation:
Essential to aqua frescas
Use in desserts, vinaigrettes
Turmeric
Curcuma longa
Kills cancer
cells in vitro
Kills cancer
Cells in vivo


Antioxidant
Antiinflammation
Compound
Yes/Yes
Curcumin
Research Suggests: Daily
Chef Brownell’s Creation:
Essential to meat dishes,
curries, soups and drinks
The Anti-inflammatory Diet
• It’s about balance
• It’s about turning back the dietary clock
• It’s about daily use of an array of plant-based
foods with good use of herbs and spices, the
right oils, fruits and vegetables
• It’s about adding the good things when you
crave the bad things
• It’s a daily commitment (but it’s also not that
hard!!!!)