Inflammation can be a body’s first-aid response to injury but sometimes it’s important to prevent inflammation. Here’s why…
There are two types of inflammation in the body. Acute inflammation is the body’s response to injury. When an injury occurs, the part of the body that is hurt usually will get swollen, red, and warm to the touch. Now think of that in terms of the whole body. As we age, our bodies are more “worn out”, and if coupled with poor lifestyle habits, chronic inflammation may occur.
Chronic inflammation is the body sending inflammatory cells throughout even though there is not an acute injury. Over time, this can cause aches and pains to more serious issues like autoimmune diseases, increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer’s.
How do we combat the wear and tear that can cause chronic inflammation?
Start with Lifestyle Changes, small changes make a big impact:
- Improve diet (aka Anti-Inflammatory Diets/ Anti-Inflammatory Foods)
- Stress management
- Regular exercise and movement
- Social support and connection
- Quality sleep
- Monitor environmental toxins
- Limit alcohol
- Quit smoking
Generally following a Mediterranean style of eating will help the body fight inflammation.
Here are Anti-Inflammatory foods to eat regularly:
- Olive Oil
- Leafy-green vegetables
- Nightshade vegetables (eggplant, tomatoes, peppers can help with arthritis flares)
- Nuts (a good combination of healthy oils, fiber, and protein)
- Fatty Fish (love those omega-3s)
- Fruits (especially berries)
- Coffee (yay!)
A healthy diet and better lifestyle habits are the first aid that will help improve the body’s inflammation response.
Resources:
Prime Time Health, Chapter 18, William Sears, MD
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/21660-inflammation