Often getting a bad rap due to the fact it’s a common denominator of ALL chronic disease and illness, understanding WHY we GET inflammation is the first step in eradicating it!
Inflammation is a natural and important result of your body’s immune system to help it heal from injury or to remove the presence of pathogenic microbes.
Without a normal inflammatory response, you cannot be healthy and feel good because normal circulation, which involves both the delivery of nutrients and removal of toxins cannot occur and the result will be pathogens, germs and viruses taking over your cells and organs.
Inflammation starts when your body releases cytokines that act as emergency signals, bringing nutrients, hormones and immune cells to the site of injury. To help facilitate this process, your arteries dilate and your capillaries become more permeable to allow the “repair” cells to access the injured area. From there, the immune system cells do their job until the problem is fixed.
Common treatments for inflammation include NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). These medications work by blocking body processes that produce inflammation. However, they are known for producing various side effects such as unwanted weight gain, blurred vision, stomach pain, fatigue and sensitivity to light – making you feel worse than you did before.4
Symptoms of Inflammation Include:
• Redness
• Heat
• Swelling
• Pain
• Loss of function
5 Commonly Overlooked Causes of Inflammation
Inflammation may be caused by many different factors. Some are common – yet some are not! Examples include:
- Microbes — Organisms such as bacteria, viruses and fungi may cause various diseases that result in inflammation on the affected body part.
- Injuries — Inflammation may occur at the site of injury, such as when you cut your skin.
- Man-made objects — Exposure to chemicals may cause inflammation.
- Genes — In some cases, a person may have an autoimmune disease, causing a specific set of inflammatory symptoms.7
- Sugar – and all foods that turn into it!
- Vegetable Oils and excessive man-made refined oils like Canola, grapeseed, sesame, nuts, seeds
- Fried Foods
- Wheat – (yes, even “whole”, organic!)
- Poor gut health and an imbalanced microbiome
- Cigarette smoking
- Excessive alcohol
- Eating foods, chemicals that you are allergic or intolerant too
- Medical drugs
- Toxic emotions, thoughts, people
- S-T-R-E-S-S!
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Excessive non-native electromagnetic radiation
Mental health and inflammation are actually closely associated with each other. In a study published in Orvosi Hetilap (a Hungarian Medical Journal), researchers concluded that depression was associated with gut (gastrointestinal) inflammation and autoimmune diseases. They attributed this to a dysfunction in the “gut-brain axis.”18
Top Tips for Reducing Inflammation
1. Get Adequate Sleep, Rest and Downtime!
Getting proper sleep so your body can rebuild, rest and repair will help all the body’s natural processes and systems to do what they are supposed to do and thereby help keep inflammation low.
2. POWER DOWN/Off Electronics
Unplug your technology and turn OFF your environment to give your brain and your body a break! We are not made to be around excessive artificial radiation and it affects every one of our cells! Make it a habit to get away from electronics and associate certain activities as “no technology zones”. This will help your body reset, find it’s own natural rhythm and ability to repair, detoxify and rejuvenate.
3. Eat enough high- quality Omega 3 Fats
Like wild fatty fish, sardines and anchovies contain generous amounts of omega-3 fatty acids,they help reduce inflammation.
4. Stay away from Trans fat and excessive Omega 6 Oils
Foods cooked in trans fat vegetable oils such as soy, corn, sunflower and palm oil contain high amounts of omega-6. According to the Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, omega-6 fatty acids are pro-inflammatory, which may increase your risk of chronic inflammatory diseases in the long run. Also eating too many Omega 6 oils from nuts, nut butters, seeds and oils can cause a problem!
5. Avoid refined grains and fried foods
6. Add Curcumin
Add turmeric or curcumin to your diet either by supplement or whole food.
In one study, curcumin capsules were observed to help mitigate oxidative stress brought on by osteoarthritis.83 In another study, curcumin has been found to help reduce symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.84
7. Add Ginger
Similar to curcumin supplements, ginger supplements may work for those who do not like its taste but still want to gain the herb’s potential health benefits.
In one study, patients who were administered 1,600 milligrams of ginger over 12 weeks had reduced fasting plasma glucose, C-reactive protein and other inflammatory markers.85 In another study, ginger extracts helped reduce fructose-induced kidney damage in rats.86
8. Consider Resveratrol
A naturally occurring antioxidant found in grapes, researchers have found that resveratrol may benefit your health.
Taken as a supplement, it may help reduce inflammation brought on by ulcerative colitis.87 Other possible applications include managing atherosclerosis88 and gastritis.89 Patients suffering from inflammation brought on by nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) may also benefit from resveratrol supplementation.909.
9. How about Spirulina?
In its original state, spirulina is a blue-green algae, which also has a high nutrient density. It is rich in protein, as well as calcium, iron, magnesium and various vitamins.91 Aside from boosting your overall well-being, spirulina may help fight inflammation, too. One study indicates that spirulina supplementation helped reduce inflammatory markers in diabetic patients.9
Inflammation is a serious matter that must not be ignored, as it significantly affects the lives of people around the world. Fortunately, there are many safe, natural alternatives to help you fight inflammation.
Learn what causes inflammation and how you can manage it effectively before it becomes a permanent problem in your life!
SOURCE: Mercola.com
