Is INFLAMMATION the Cause of All Disease?
Inflammation. That itchy swelling of redness and warmth around a wound as it starts to heal. No big deal, right? WRONG! Many scientists now believe that most, or even all chronic disease may have chronic inflammation as a trigger. This fiery process has been linked to multiple ailments including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, and more.
What is Inflammation?
Whether you scrape your knee, twist your ankle, or succumb to strep throat, the body's reaction is the same: The immune system sends in an army of white blood cells to destroy bacteria and repair the tissue. This healing process, called the inflammatory response, is one of the body's most basic survival instincts. Inflammation is a reaction to stress, whether that stress stems from diet, lifestyle, or environment. Its function is to remove harmful stimuli, including damaged cells, irritants, or pathogens – and begin the healing process. Normal, healthy inflammation will last several days to several weeks to remedy whatever it is that ails us.
Chronic inflammation is when the immune system overreacts and continues in sort of a “friendly fire” attack. Chronic inflammation is long-term, and can last for several months or even years. Perhaps the most dangerous aspect of chronic inflammation is its stealthy nature; people often don't know they have it. Unless you have a painful inflammatory disease like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, you might not have any symptoms at all.
#1 Warning Sign of Chronic Inflammation
The easiest way to tell if your body might be on fire is to measure your waist. The circumference above 35 inches for a woman and 40 inches for a man means you could be at risk for the variety of dangerous diseases that are linked to chronic inflammation.
Simple Ways to Fight Inflammation
Diet Changes
- Eliminate Sugar. Sugar feeds the inflammatory process. Easy on the carbs as well, since they process into sugar.
- Avoid gluten, trans fats, and nightshade vegetables (eggplant, peppers, potatoes)
- Spice it up. Many spices have strong anti-inflammatory effects – in particular turmeric, ginger, rosemary, garlic, and onion.
- Add natural antibiotic foods. Our bodies need a healthy level of good bacteria and enzymes to heal, support the immune system, and create energy. Fermented foods like kombucha, kefir, sauerkrauts and kimchi are super doses of good bacteria! Yogurts can be good too, just make sure you watch the sugar content. (Get plain yogurt and add your own fruit.)
Get it Moving
- Stagnation of the lymph is a precursor for inflammation. Unlike blood, which is pumped by the heart, lymph has no internal pump of its own. Regular, consistent physical activity will move the lymph through the body. Don’t exercise now? Start small – 30 minutes of aerobic exercise – brisk walking, jogging, swimming, even vigorous gardening 4-5 times a week will do the trick. Doing more is great, but avoid Crossfit or “weekend warrior” type exercise because working out too hard may boost inflammation levels rather than reduce them.
Calm it Down
- 30 minutes of morning meditation is ideal. However, if that’s not really your thing just breathe deeply. Inhale and exhale through the nose, filling lungs completely, 10 times. You can do it wherever and whenever.
- Have an acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture is perfect to balance the “fire” that can build up and cause chronic inflammation. A series of acupuncture treatments supported by herbal supplementation goes a long way in putting out the fire.
Supplementation
- Epsom Salts will reduce inflammation with the bonus of pampering sore muscles and aching joints
- Boswellia blocks the chemical reactions that set the stage for inflammation.
- Turmeric contains inflammation-fighting compounds called curcuminoids. The most important is curcumin, often recommended for arthritis pain.
- It is vital that any herbal supplementation you choose be standardized to assure medical quality. (recommendations below)
Inflammation and the
Traditional Chinese Medicine Model
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) explains that we experience “FIRE”, one of the elemental powers, most fully in the summer.
The young energy that expressed itself in the spring arises to its full potential and if is not used can lead to excessive HEAT.
This heat is a common marker of inflammation, making summer an important time pay extra attention to the inflammatory response.
Support and move fire by making it a priority this summer to have fun and get physical.
Supporting our Summer Fire
The office will be closed for several days in the month of July while we take advantage of the summer weather. If you have been meaning to schedule an appointment, or need to get in for your regular treatment, please call as soon as possible! Appointment times around vacation always fill quickly!
Have a safe, happy holiday!
Save 15% on our Anti-Inflammatory Supplements
Boswellia Complex is an all natural inflammation blocker. Read More.
Curaphen provides pain relief and supports healthy inflammation response. Read More.
Nrf2 Activator is power packed with turmeric. Read More.
Epsom Salts reduce inflammation and soothe aching joints
Ask Dr. Lex which may be right for you!
Have you seen our Healthy Cleaning Tips?
We've been featuring healthy alternatives to nasty commercial cleaning products via facebook and pinterest and our blog this month.
There is more to come, so if you are interested, keep posted – You can see them here.
TIme didn't allow for me to create my own recipie for you this month, but I have personally tried this excellent conconction from Ryan Carmody at HealthySmoothieHQ.com and I can tell you that not only is it chock full of anti-inflammitory goodness, it's pretty tasty too!
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The dietary supplement products & essential oils mentioned in this document are not intended to “diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease,”
because only a drug can legally make such a claim.
