Hello there my beautiful people. A word we hear more and more these days is inflammation. I’d like to talk about it and have you all understand more about the dangers and potential benefits of inflammation. Benefits!?… That’s right, inflammation is a bodily process which is capable of aiding us in healing injuries, alarming the immune system to pathogens and damage control (keeping things from spreading) This process would then be shut off (likely by the Vagus Nerve) after the threat is over. This would be called Acute Inflammation whereas Chronic Inflammation would last much longer, does not exhibit the same symptoms and therefore may go largely unnoticed as it silently causes cell damage.
Symptoms of Acute Inflammation are local swelling, redness, heat and pain. If this occurs in a joint mobility will be limited. The swelling, redness and heat are due to the increase in blood circulation and accumulation of fluid in the area. Remember that all the goods traded in the society which is your body are delivered through the medium of blood. In this way during acute inflammation we can direct our resources to the site and begin the healing process. After some time the inflammation should subside and parasympathetic nervous system activity (relaxation response) will afford the opportunity to clear the inflammation and return to normal function.
Chronic Inflammation has very few symptoms:
“The destructive power of Chronic Inflammation is unprecedented among physiological processes, it’s silent nature belies it’s destructive power.” – Baurley K et. Al Epub 2011
Of the ten leading causes of mortality chronic-low level inflammation contributes to pathogenesis of at least 7.
-Heart Disease -Alzheimers -Diabetes -cancer -chronic respiratory disease –Nephritis –stroke
The nature of chronic inflammation involves our Mitochondria, the part of our cells which produce energy. Our viability, vitality and youthfulness comes largely from our Mitochrondria. In the case of Chronic Inflammation our Mitochondria are damaged by free radicals (produced from our body such as reactive oxygen species-the stress from breathing- but environment as well… ex. Cigarette smoke or heavy metals), oxidized lipoproteins… (as would occur from excess consumption of omega 6 oils like vegetable, corn and soybean oil) or advanced glycation end products (result of elevated blood sugar) When our Mitochondria are compromised in this way components from the Mitochondria leak into the cell and set off an immune response. This can be occurring all throughout the body and will result in the death of our cells by way of our own immune system or activation of genes which are unfavorable. In the case of our guts, where inflammation is often a response to foods we eat such as Gluten, the lining of our gut can be damaged making us more vulnerable to pathogens in food or have us develop food allergies. In addition to this, the increase in fluids can cause a bulging affect, making our midsection distend.
So for today consider some of the angles we may take in reducing chronic inflammation.
-Decrease Consumption of Processed Omega 6 Heavy Oils
-Decrease Sugar Consumption and Processed Food Consumption
-Get Plenty of High Quality Sleep
-Practice Initiating the Relaxation Response
As always thanks for reading and feel free to respond with any questions or with your particular situation.
Click the link below and fill out the form for your free consultation!