Have you ever thought what does makes us sick? what is the root cause of our health issues?
Most of us find the answer when we already have developed the first symptoms of our health problems. I am referring to inflammation, the main cause of our health issues.
Diseases do not exist. They are symptoms of our unhealthy behaviors. 10% of our diseases are genetical, the rest of 90% are reflecting our lifestyle.
Well, let me tell you that the inflammation levels in your body depend only on you, on how you maintain a healthy body and mind. You can control everything regarding your health. Adopting an anti-inflammatory lifestyle and protecting yourself against diseases is only in your hands.
What does inflammation mean?
Inflammation refers to our body’s response to protect itself against threats. There are two types of inflammation: acute and chronic. Perhaps you are more familiar with the acute type. A simple example is when you cut your finger. The redness and swelling you might see around the injury are called inflammation. When this occurs, your immune system sends out an army of white blood cells to fight against bacteria, toxins, to help healing. This process plays the same role when you have virus-like flu or a cold.
While inflammation can help fight infection, too much inflammation occurring over time can be destructive.
Chronic inflammation happens when your body cannot remove harmful substances or heal an injury and this way your body stays in an inflammatory state for months or even years.
Many of today’s major diseases, including heart diseases, cancer, diabetes, stroke, dementia, Alzheimer’s, allergies, hormonal imbalance, have been linked to chronic inflammation.
What triggers inflammation in your body?
Three main triggers that might lead to inflammation can be poor nutrition, lack of physical activities, and a stressful lifestyle.
What foods to avoid?
To combat inflammation, avoid as much possible: sugar, soda, fried food, hydrogenated GMO oils (canola oil, soy oil, corn oil), red processed meat, refined carbs (white flowers and pastries) and the list can go on and on…
Sugary foods remain one of the most serious causes of inflammation in your body. Elevated blood sugar creates insulin, which can cause cell damage and accelerate aging. Inflammation is one of the reasons you get wrinkles.
What foods fight inflammation?
Diet plays a crucial role in controlling inflammation levels. Every piece of food you put in your mouth means a lot to your body. Therefore, I recommend balancing your meals and do smart choices regarding your nutrition.
Bellow I will share with you a list with the most important aliments to introduce in your diet if your goal is to prevent inflammation adopting an anti-inflammatory lifestyle.
Veggies:
Broccoli
Celery
Spinach
Kale
Avocado
Fruits:
Berries (especially wild blueberries)
Coconut
Lemon
Kiwi
Pineapple
Wild-caught fatty fish
Salmon
Cod
Mackerel
Sardines
Herring
Teas:
Green tea
Chamomile
Turmeric
Ginger
Holy basil
Rose-hip
Fennel
Superfoods and supplements:
Turmeric
Licorice root
Aloe Vera
Garlic
Ginger
Spirulina
Boswellia
Chia seeds
Among these mentioned above, one of my favorite superfoods I cannot live without is Turmeric.
The herb has an anti-inflammatory effect and fights bacteria and viruses. Most attention has been given to the compound curcumin in turmeric. But other no curcumin constituents in turmeric also show anti-inflammatory benefits. It has been clinically studied for pain relief.
How to consume?
Take ½ to 1 teaspoon of more dried powder per day in food, smoothies, or heated milk. If you don’t like the taste use supplements.
How physical activities help us to reduce inflammation?
Exercising can be one of your best and easiest defense against chronic inflammation. You can reduce inflammation levels by simply walking at least 10, 20 minutes a day.
When you start practicing physical exercise, your muscles cell release a small protein called Interleukin 6 which seems to play an important role in fighting inflammation.
Why continuous stress leads to inflammation?
For many of us, stress makes part of our life. We stress over things like family, kids, school, job, business, money, and the list can go on. Stress can last from a few hours to days, weeks, months, or even years. Whatever the case if it is chronic it can put at risk your immune system.
Have you wondered what happens in your body when you are stressing?
Chronic stress has been linked to accelerated biological aging and increased chronic inflammation and oxidative stress. Researchers also associate stress with a higher risk of depression and heart disease.
One of the effects with a major impact on your health is the release of cortisol, the hormone stress, and adrenaline hormone which both make your body increase respiratory and heart rate.
There are many techniques for releasing stress like walking, exercising, yoga, meditations, or prayers.
Bottom line…
Avoiding inflammation is not always an easy thing to do, but at least you can try and do changes in your life and adopt an anti-inflammatory lifestyle if you want to safeguard yourself against diseases.
Find what’s the best solution for you. Choose your food carefully, introduce physical activities in your daily routines, and get rid of stress if you want to live a longer healthier, and happier life.