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June
28, 2007
Is
Chronic
Inflammation
Making You
Hot and
Bothered?
Put
Out the Fire
with an
All-Natural
Approach
If you've
ever stubbed
your toe or
suffered a
minor paper
cut, then
you're
familiar
with the
effects of
inflammation.
The heat,
redness, and
swelling you
experienced
following
that minor
injury was
the result
of acute
inflammation,
which is
part of your
immune
system's
natural
response to
trauma.
But
there's
another kind
of
inflammation
with which
you may not
be aware.
Unlike acute
inflammation,
which
usually
involves
pain and is
short lived,
chronic
inflammation
can be a
"silent
fire"
and last for
weeks or
even years.
In fact, most
people don't
even realize
they're
"on
fire"
until
they're
diagnosed
with a
serious
disease.
This may be
why chronic
inflammation
has been
identified
as a factor
in such
diverse
disorders
as:
Autoimmune
diseases (e.g.,
inflammatory bowel
disease and
rheumatoid arthritis and Alzheimer's disease, type II Diabetes and
cardiovascular disease.
So, what is
chronic
inflammation? And
more importantly,
what can you do if
you are suffering
from it?
The
Connection Between
Inflammation and
Your Immune System
Inflammation is
an integral part
of your body's
natural defenses.
When threatened by
harmful
substances, such
as a bacteria or
viruses, your
immune system
sends wave after
wave of white
blood cells and
chemicals to seek
and destroy the
offending
organisms. This
"inflammatory
cascade"
produces the heat,
redness, and
swelling which
characterize acute
inflammation. Once
the offenders are
destroyed the
inflammatory
cascade stops and
healing begins.
During chronic
inflammation,
however, the
inflammatory
response is
continual. Any
number of factors
can cause chronic
inflammation.
- Hereditary
and
environmental
factors.
Both may have
a causal
effect on
autoimmune
disease, such
as
inflammatory
bowel disease
or rheumatoid
arthritis. In
an autoimmune
disease, your
immune system
mistakes its
own tissues as
"foreign,"
unleashing the
inflammatory
response.
- Typical
Western
lifestyle.
Excess fat and
cholesterol,
the products
of sedentary
lifestyles and
diets rich in
sugars, fats,
and
cholesterol,
may promote
the production
of
inflammatory
chemicals.
The
"Fire"
in Your Belly
Most people
aren't aware of
the major role our
gastrointestinal
(GI) tract plays
in our immune
health. Besides
digestion, our GI
tract is home to
nearly seventy
percent of our
immune system.
It is a major
source of
lymphocytes, a
type of white
blood cell that
plays a large role
in defending the
body against
disease, and mast
cells, which
release histamines
and other
chemicals as part
of an allergic
response.
Calming the
Flames—A Natural
Approach
As home base
for the majority
of your immune
system, your GI
tract plays a
vital role in your
inflammatory
response. By
paying attention
to your gut, you
can minimize the
effects of
inflammation
naturally. The
following natural
approaches can
help:
1. Omega Essential Fatty Acids such as EPA
and DHA
may help
decrease your
risk of
cardiovascular
disease and
support a
healthy immune
response.
Although the
best sources
of omega-3
fatty acids
are oily fish
such as
salmon,
mackerel, and
sardines,
non-fish food
options
include
flaxseed,
flaxseed oil,
walnuts,
canola oil,
soybeans, and
soybean oil.
2. Ginger and
rosemary have
been shown to
support the
healthy
metabolism of
inflammatory
chemicals.
3. Turmeric
extract
inhibits the
activities of
a wide range
of enzymes
implicated in
pain and
inflammation.
4. Rice
protein
has been shown
to have a
lower allergy
potential than
other protein
sources,
making it a
safer
alternative.
You can also
minimize chronic
inflammation by
eating a healthier
diet and getting
regular, moderate
exercise. Both
will reduce the
amount of fat in
your body, which
research suggests
may incite the
inflammatory
response.
If you're
interested in
finding out more
about natural
approaches to
chronic
inflammation,
please schedule an
appointment at my
office. We can
develop a
multi-dimensional
approach that
includes dietary
choices, moderate
exercise, and
targeted medical
foods and
supplements.
By Cindy
Clayton, D.C.
www.nutritionalanswers.com
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