There are many alternative medicines out there designed to help you live longer and help fight disease. Dr. Andrew Weil spoke with Dr. Oz today about what he calls the anti-inflammatory diet designed to help fight cancer and many of the chronic diseases that begin to plague us as we age. He says that many of these diseases start out as low-level chronic inflammations of the body, and this eating plan keeps those inflammations from developing. Dr. Weil says we should all eat these 5 foods every day to keep us healthy.

1. Cooked Asian Mushrooms
   
   Dr. Weil says you can eat an unlimited amount of mushrooms such as shitaki, enoki, oyster and maitaki. It's important to cook them, he notes, because they are indigestible and you won't receive the benefits. They increase immune function, protect you from cancer, and boost host defenses he says. The mushrooms are low in calories, high in protein and offer unique health protective compounds.
   
   
2. Whole Soy Foods
   
   It's important that these are whole soy foods, and not soy supplements. Foods like soy nuts, tofu, tempeh, soy milk and edamame. 1-2 servings of these foods will provide protein and help protect against hormonally driven cancers like prostate cancer in men and breast cancer in women.
   
   
3. Cruciferous Vegetables
   
   We should all eat at least 4-5 servings of these vegetables daily. This family includes cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower just to name a few. Dr. Weil says these are a strong cancer fighter and that compounds in them help protect the body in various ways. "The more you can eat the better," he says.
   
   
4. Good Fats
   
   Some fats are actually beneficial to your health. Those found in olive oil, organic canola oil and oils made from nuts are packed with healthy compounds. Certain seeds such as hemp seeds and flax seeds are also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids. Many of the seeds need to be ground or cracked in order for the body to gain the nutrients from them. Also, eggs are important and that means the whole egg, not just the whites, but only 1-2 a day.
   
   
5. Whole & Cracked Grains
   
   Dr. Weil says there is a difference between these grains and finely ground grains. When they are ground, the surface area for digestive enzymes to turn them into sugar is increased. If they remain whole however, you avoid this sugar spike. Whole grains include foods like wild rice and barley, but Dr. Weil says to stay away from foods cooked with flour and sugar. 2-3 servings a day are recommended.