Inflammation is a normal part of the body’s immune response, protecting us against foreign invaders and other harmful stimuli that may be of threat to our health. There is both acute and chronic inflammation; acute being the response to a localised injury or infection, and chronic is that of long term inflammation, when often no symptoms occur until there is a loss of function. Chronic inflammation can go on for years unnoticed, causing systemic damage and destruction of tissue. Present in almost all disease manifestations, it can often develop into hepatitis, chronic sinusitis, cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, as well as autoimmune diseases such as crohn’s, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis if left unaddressed.
Sadly, in this fast-paced modern world we have surrounded ourselves with so many pro-inflammatory foods and behaviors without even realising it. The following list are just some foods, behaviors and health issues that can cause chronic inflammation within the body:
– Hydrogenated & Transfats found in margarine, shortening, deep fried & superheated foods, processed baked goods etc.
– Excessive Red Meat & Poultry consumption, if eating meat try to buy organic wherever you can as they do not contain the host of antibiotics, hormones and chemicals found in most commercial store bought products
– Processed & Prepackaged Foods
– Refined White Sugar & High Fructose Corn Syrup
– Refined Wheat Flour / Refined Carbohydrates
– Excessive Alcohol Consumption
– Food Additives & Preservatives
– Smoking
– Stress
– Obesity
– Sedentary Lifestyle
– Poor Diet
– Poorly Controlled Diabetes
– Long Term Infections
. . . and the list goes on! To address, reduce and avoid inflammation it is important to live a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Quit smoking, reduce alcohol intake, exercise often, eliminate stress from your life, and eat a range of healthy and nutritious, anti-inflammatory foods such as dark leafy greens, oily fish, carrots, turmeric, ginger, green tea, berries, garlic & onion and organic, spray-free produce. Also ensure you are drinking enough water, making sure it is filtered when possible, as this will also help to flush your body of toxins that may have accumulated over time.
Some powerful herbs & supplements to incorporate into your diet are Resveratrol, Bromelain (a proteolytic enzyme found in pineapple cores), Hemp, MSM (very effective in relieving symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis), Boswellia (Indian frankincense), Arnica, Tulsi and sufficient vitamin D levels – just 15 minutes of sun a day will suffice.
Enjoy these new lifestyle changes and notice dramatic changes in energy levels, sleep patterns, joint & body pain and mindset – you may not have even noticed some of these issues until they’re gone!!