More Information on Inflammation
Last time (see HERE) we spoke about inflammation and some of the nutritional supplements I use to help lower my own inflammation. Here, I thought I would share a little more on this theme before moving on. Inflammation is a complex biological response that occurs when the body’s immune system is activated in response to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, injuries, or irritants, allergic responses, etc. While some inflammation is a necessary and protective response, chronic inflammation can be detrimental to overall health. Something that may surprise my audience is that anything that is very disruptive or disturbing in a person’s life can trigger an inflammatory response. Dr. Mark Hyman says, “Did you know that if you have a loving, connected conversation with someone, it will turn on genes that shut off inflammation? Your mind is the most potent pharmacy ever, and it will either drive inflammation or it will stop inflammation simply by your thoughts.” WOW, so it makes a lot of sense for us to calm ourselves down in our day to day lives, trying not to become “inflammatory” in our relationships in addition to what we eat and are exposed to. Unfortunately, the opposite is true. When we have strained relationships and communication, it predisposes us to the possible activation of our inflammatory genes. So, “chilling out” may be a good practice.
Inflammation can silently occur internally without noticeable symptoms and is linked to chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. It can cause fatigue, joint pain, digestive issues, skin problems, and mood disorders. However, incorporating anti-inflammatory foods such as fatty fish, leafy greens, berries, turmeric, ginger, olive oil, nuts, and seeds can help combat inflammation. Spices like turmeric and ginger have powerful anti-inflammatory effects (these are ubiquitous in my kitchen). Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, walnuts, chia seeds, and flaxseeds also reduce inflammation. Maintaining a healthy gut with probiotics and ensuring adequate vitamin D levels are beneficial. Stress reduction through meditation, deep breathing, and exercise is important, and as we mentioned, chronic stress worsens inflammation. Balancing omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids and avoiding triggers like processed foods, excessive sugar, alcohol, smoking, and a sedentary lifestyle can help reduce inflammation levels as well. Inflammation can be so triggered by lifestyle, relationships, work stressors and more. When we don’t attend to the invisible “fire” that is smoldering under the surface, it can spiral into worse conditions such as: Arthritis, Pulmonary, Cardiovascular Cerebrovascular, Pulmonary diseases as well as Diabetes, Ocular problems, Autoimmune, Neurological, and more.
In the spirit of diminishing inflammation, I am sharing my Progressive Muscle Relaxation audio as a free download for the month of July.
CLICK HERE to download it for free and enjoy!
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With Gratitude,
Rus Devorah
