It has been widely documented chronic inflammation that goes undetected for years is the underlying cause of many illnesses including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancers such as colon cancer. It plays a role in diseases of the brain (Alzheimer’s & dementia), autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis), as well as other diseases which have unknown causes, like allergies, fibromyalgia, and migraines.
Acute inflammation is essential to keep us alive, however; persistent chronic inflammation over a long period can kill us slowly. When low doses of inflammatory substances continue to be released into the body for a prolonged time, they attack healthy cells, blood vessels and tissues instead of protecting them.
Chronic inflammation can destroy our body gradually as we go through our lives. There are many causes that can contribute to chronic inflammation.
Mental stress can change our immune defense systems, making us more vulnerable to infectious diseases. Foods that spike our blood sugar levels quickly, like white bread, cakes, cookies, and sodas, cause our body to produce an excess of insulin to normalize our blood sugar levels. But excess insulin increases the production of pro-inflammatory cells. Lack of quality sleep wreaks havoc on the immune system, increasing the amount of inflammation in the body. Air containing toxic chemical irritants, such as secondhand smoke, pesticides, and asbestos, can lead to chronic inflammation in the lung and possibly other parts of the body and increases the risk of cancer. Food intolerance or sensitivity, as opposed to food allergy, doesn’t cause an immediate reaction in your body. Instead, it festers quietly in your gut and brews low-grade chronic inflammation for years causing symptoms of headaches, fatigue or arthritis.
Inflammation is a part of the body’s natural defense system against injury and disease. Chronic inflammation, on the other hand, is a disease. The system has gotten stuck, and instead of protecting our bodies it starts to kill, slowly.
There are several ways to lower the inflammation in your body – such as eat plenty of colorful fresh fruits and vegetable, add fresh herbs to meals, include supplements like omega 3 fatty acids, and balance stress by increasing relaxation activities.
For more information on ways to lower inflammation in your body, please call Compassionate Healthcare Associates, 661.295.7777.
