Do you struggle with chronic aches and pains? Do you have frequent headaches? What about regular GI discomfort? All of these issues have one thing in common, inflammation.
In 2000, 125 million Americans were living with health conditions associated with chronic inflammation. Experts anticipate this number to steadily increase over the next 30 years.
What is inflammation?
Although most people think inflammation is a bad thing, it’s a natural protective mechanism produced by the body in response to foreign invaders or injury.
The immune system is continuously scanning the body for any signs of unusual activity. As soon as an injury or pathogen is identified, the immune system takes action by stimulating an inflammatory response. This enables the body to target and isolate an affected area in the body to fight off harmful chemicals and repair any damage that took place. Simply put, we could not survive without the ability to produce an inflammatory response.
When is inflammation harmful?
Under normal circumstances, the body stops producing an inflammatory response after it has healed properly. Unfortunately, there are a variety of factors that can prevent this from happening. This includes but is not limited to:
- Autoimmunity – This occurs when the immune system becomes dysfunctional and begins attacking its own healthy tissue.
- Consuming processed foods – When foods are more heavily processed, they become more difficult to digest, causing added stress on the body.
- Excessive alcohol intake – Alcohol is difficult for the body to digest, and must be converted to sugar in the process. Sugars are considered pro-inflammatory.
- Chronic stress – When we are under chronic stress, our hormone levels begin to shift out of balance. Over time, this can affect the immune system, leading to increased inflammation.
- Sedentary lifestyle – Our lymphatic system is responsible for clearing toxins from our body. However, unlike our circulatory system, it requires movement to do its job. As a result, inactivity can lead to a buildup of toxins in the body, thus stimulating the immune system to take action.
What does chronic inflammation feel like?
Millions of Americans are living with chronic inflammation, and many people do not even know it. This is because pain does not always accompany low-grade inflammation. You may simply feel a little run-down and prone to common infections. But before you dismiss chronic inflammation as a legitimate concern, it’s important to understand the damaging effects this has on the body long term.
When left unmanaged, chronic inflammation is associated with diseases such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes and cancer. In addition, it’s a key risk factor for cardiovascular disease. (BEEF UP)
How to manage chronic inflammation naturally
An abundance of research has been conducted over the years to better understand how our bodies respond to foods. Now, there is definitive evidence to support that specific foods stimulate a small inflammatory response. In fact, the Inflammatory Food Index was created based on definitive findings to help guide the public to making healthier food choices.
Top anti-inflammatory foods
Eating anti-inflammatory foods helps support the body by providing proper vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytonutrients, thereby optimizing our ability to fight infection, minimize chronic pain and inflammation, and optimize your metabolism.
Here are a few top anti-inflammatory foods to incorporate into your regular dietary routine:
- Berries such as blackberries and blueberries
- Broccoli
- Fatty fish
- Avocado
- Beets
- Walnuts
- Chia seeds
Next Steps
Are you interested in learning more about how you can address your chronic pain holistically? The team at LoHi Lip Laser offers a variety of therapeutic modalities targeting the inflammatory cycle, ranging from holistic nutrition counseling, bioresonance therapy, BEMER therapy, red light therapy, and more. Jumpstart your health journey today, and contact us to schedule your complimentary consultation!
