Today I am writing about inflammation, which I consider to be one of the most important topics related to overall health! It is a unique thing in the body because it is meant to protect and defend us, but can also harm us if it gets out of control. Fire is a very appropriate metaphor for this! Our ancestors have relied on fire for thousands of years to provide light and warmth, to cook food, help keep insects away and to scare off predatory animals. Fire has often been a friend of human beings. But that same force which is used to comfort and protect us can also cause great devastation. Think of all the forest and house fires that have destroyed land and homes and have taken so many lives. So it is in the case of inflammation…too much of a good thing is NOT a good thing!
WHAT IS INFLAMMATION?
When your body senses an injury or invasion, the natural response of your immune system is to send out inflammatory cells to attack the perceived threat and begin the process of healing. So the immune system’s job is to defend and repair, and inflammation is it’s first line of defense! Therefore, we do not want to completely shut this system off. It is how our bodies were created to work!
We can sometimes see inflammation externally… like a wound that is red and swollen. Usually that is an acute inflammatory response, a short burst of inflammation, and is typically a good thing. But what is often unseen and can go unnoticed while is wreaks havoc is chronic or long-term inflammation, which is not good!
So we know what causes chronic inflammation, now let’s take a look at what chronic inflammation causes.
As shown in the image above (from The Institute of Functional Medicine), many diseases have been linked to excessive or persistent inflammation. Other examples include Alzheimer’s, IBS and autoimmune diseases. It is becoming more and more apparent that chronic inflammation is at the root of a lot of the diseases and health problems we face!
So what can you do to help get or keep the fire in your body under control? That can be a hard question to answer, because the severity of each person’s fire is largely dependent on their stress levels, diet, lifestyle, environment, genetics, etc. Therefore, my #1 recommendation would be for you to see a functional medicine practitioner to get to the root of YOUR fire. But if that is not feasible for you right now, here are some other suggestions that are beneficial for everyone:
1. Eat an anti-inflammatory diet! Did you know that 70% of the immune system is in the gut? Our gut health has such a huge impact on our overall health in so many ways. Feed it cooling foods, like those listed below.
2. Practice relaxation techniques regularly. Some of my favorites include deep breathing, listening to Christian meditations (soultime app), stretching, prayer, coloring, unplugging from devices and taking a hot bath. Laughter is also stress relieving! We could all use more of that these days!
3. Get active doing something you truly enjoy! I’m a big fan of yoga, hiking, kayaking & bike riding! Be careful you aren’t overexercising, which can lead to more inflammation. Having rest days is important.
4. Consider supplementing with anti-inflammatory vitamins and minerals such as fish oil, vitamin D, vitamin C, turmeric and probiotics.
5. Decrease your toxin exposure by knowing when to buy organic, maintaining good air quality in your home and reducing or eliminating use of cleaning products and personal care products with harmful chemicals.
I hope this post increases your knowledge and awareness of inflammation and empowers you to take some steps to help maintain a healthy level in your body! I genuinely believe that is one of the best things you can do for yourself!
Although I am a nurse by trade, I am not a doctor or an expert, and the information I provide on this blog is for educational purposes only. Each person is unique and their needs and circumstances vary, so I always recommend that you consult your medical provider before making any changes.
