Inflammation- The Root of Disease
INFLAMMATION!
It’s your bodies knee-jerk response to any insult that tries to harm it.
This response is non-specific and can be mounted against ANY threat. Once the inflammatory response has achieved its goal of preparing tissues for repair by containing the damage and reducing the presence of debris and pathogens, healing can begin! This is a NORMAL inflammatory response that is essential for healing and is identified by symptoms of redness, swelling & pain.
Inflammation becomes an issue when it is CHRONIC. This happens when the harmful agent remains, preventing healing. This is the ROOT of disease, and can be triggered by
a diet rich in omega-6 fatty acids
food sensitivity / allergies
leaky gut
vitamin or mineral deficiency
drug overuse
exposure to environmental toxins
free radical damage
infections
injury
trauma
bacterial, fungal or viral infections
an autoimmune disorder which involves your immune system improperly attacking healthy tissue
smoking
obesity
alcohol
chronic stress
sometimes there is no clear trigger!
The symptoms of chronic inflammation are subtler and results in the body releasing cortisol from the adrenals, which can exhaust them. Chronic inflammation can also suppress the immune system, contributing to further disease.
Inflammation and GUT HEALTH!
Inflammation within your gut can contribute to a range of symptoms, like
Constipation, diarrhea, bloating
fatigue
headaches
confusion
skin problems
joint pain
PMS
acne
Gut dysbiosis (or an imbalance of good and bad bacteria) contributes to intestinal inflammation, because the intestinal wall RELIES on essential nutrients produced by beneficial bacteria, and without these nutrients, mucosal cells of the intestinal wall atrophy or die. The result of this is a leaky gut, and excess mucus that interferes with absorption, and potential food intolerances to food items like grains can develop. Candida albicans is one of the biggest opportunists that can increases gut leakiness, enabling it to travel throughout the body.
OVERALL, this leaky gut ALLOWS partially digested food to be absorbed into the blood stream, triggering an immune response and food sensitivities results.
Foods that Heal, Foods that Inflame
There are some dietary changes that can be made to support a healthy inflammatory response because what you eat can have either a positive or negative effect on inflammation.
Olive Oil
Incorporate cold water fish like herring, mackerel, salmon, and sardines at least twice per week, as they are rich sources of essential fatty acids.
Foods high in flavonoids, which are powerful antioxidants and useful for inflammation reduction. Spinach and blueberries are amazing sources.
Onions contain Quercetin, a powerful antioxidant which is good for inflammation also
Pineapple contains bromelain that reduces swelling and inflammation
Papaya contains papain which is also helpful in reducing swelling and inflammation
Try incorporating raw foods into the diet
Turmeric is an anti-inflammatory herb with anti-bacterial actions that can help delay food spoilage and treat wounds. It helps blood flow, reduces cholesterol levels, and improves blood vessel health. Curcumin is the active compound in turmeric that reduces swelling, making it helpful in addressing inflammation, like arthritis. Turmeric has traditionally been used as a digestive aid and liver stimulant and is also good for people with atherosclerosis, carpal tunnel, gallstones, cataracts, tendonitis, eczema, endometriosis and bursitis. Try making a Golden Turmeric Latte, recipe below!
Certain spices have anti-inflammatory effects, try adding them into your meals! Ginger, garlic & cayenne.
Limit saturated fat and polyunsaturated fats that are rich in omega-6 fatty acids like corn oil, cottonseed oil, sunflower oil
Avoid packaged foods because many contain omega-6 rich fats
Limit intake of salt
Avoid cola, sugar, white flour products and junk foods
If you think that a food sensitivity or allergy is contributing to inflammation in the gut, LET’S CHAT!
Supplements to consider
Fish Oil
Curcumin (this is the isolated active ingredient from turmeric) *see turmeric benefits above!
B- complex for tissue repair
Vitamin C with bioflavonoids are important for the healing process and in reducing inflammation
Probiotics are helpful if your inflammation is rooted in your gut
Lifestyle Changes
STRESS. Stress is linked to inflammation, so stress management practices are ESSENTIAL. Try to find activities that will help you relax. That is going to look different for everyone, It could mean taking a bubble bath, going for a walk, reading a book, watching your favourite movie, deep breathing or practicing some yoga.
Chronic Systemic Inflammation is now known to be a driving force in a TON of chronic conditions, like Heart Disease, Type 2 Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome, Alzheimers, Depression & many others
If Chronic Inflammation or associated issues like LEAKY GUT is something you think you might be struggling with, let’s chat! I would love to discuss your wellness goals and design a program just for YOU! Book a discovery call below!
References
https://www.healthline.com/health/chronic-inflammation#treatment
https://www.healthline.com/health/digestive-health/reducing-inflammation-gut-health#5
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/does-all-disease-begin-in-the-gut#endotoxemia