Inflammation Overload

By Joanie in Health Tips, Lifestyle Tips on 26 September 2019

Inflammation is one of the most common causes of chronic and degenerative illnesses. It usually occurs when parts of the body are injured or physically stressed or when there is a virus present. However, it also can occur from environmental, diet, genetics and stress. Inflammation is the body’s way of protecting itself by signalling to the immune system to heal infection and repair damaged tissue. Inflammation happens to everyone whether you’re aware of it or not. However, when the inflammation becomes chronic it can lead to many serious diseases such as stroke, heart disease, lupus, certain types of cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune disorders. It is also one of the main drivers of the aging process meaning anything that increases inflammation can also increase ageing.

There are different types of inflammation such as ACUTE; when the body is trying to protect itself from a sudden incident such as an injury or virus and CHRONIC; when inflammation has carried on for along period of time usually because initial cause of the inflammation was not eliminated or thesuppressor T cells don’t call off the immune system after the body has repulsed the invasion.

 

Here are five cardinal signs that characterize inflammation:

• Redness
• Heat
• Swelling
• Pain
• Loss of Function

 

Healthy lifestyle tips to keep inflammation at bay:

• Adopt the Mediterranean Diet into you lifestyle, which consists of a moderate consumption of protein mainly fish and a high consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables. Also using healthy oils such as olive oil and consuming healthy grains.

 

• Increasing your intake of certain substances, such as omega 3 fish oil and curcumin (found in Turmeric) which both has been shown to reduce inflammation.

 

• Minimize the amount of foods high in saturated and trans such as red meat, dairy products and processed foods containing partially hydrogenated oils. It is also important to limit sugary foods and refined carbohydrates that aid the formation of free radicals. Try swapping unrefined carbs for whole grains for a much healthier alternative.

 

• Make time to exercise as it is an excellent way to prevent inflammation.

 

• Manage your stress levels. Chronic stress contributes to inflammation so its important to take steps to keep your stress at a healthy level. Meditation, Yoga, and Deep Breathing Techniques can be effective ways of managing stress.

 

• Sleep:Getting enough sleep is extremely important. Researchers have found that a poor night’s sleep increases inflammation

 

By reducing inflammation, it can lead to optimal health and wellbeing. This lowers your risk of disease and can greatly improve the quality of your life.