Reduce Inflammation with a Healthy Diet

Inflammation is the body’s natural response to harmful triggers such as damaged cells, irritants or pathogens and it usually marks the body’s initiation of the healing process. Inflammation is not the same as infection. Infection can be the cause of inflammation however inflammation is actually the body’s response to the infection. Without inflammation the body would never heal. Wounds and infections would lead to progressive tissue damage.

Inflammation is characterized by redness, increased heat, swelling, pain and loss of function. Acute inflammation is a short lived process that appears immediately in response to a harmful stimulus and is a sign of a balanced immune system. Prolonged or chronic inflammation is a sign that the body’s immune system is stuck in the ‘on’ position and is distinguished by the concurrent healing and damage of tissue in response to the inflammatory state.

Our body’s are under constant attack from an increase in expose to toxins and stress. Poor nutrition weakens the immune system and makes us less able to deal with these daily demands. Everything we breathe, eat, drink, absorb and feel contributes to our inflammatory response. To counter this inflammatory response we require a holistic approach as the causes and sources of inflammation are as widespread as they are many.

One of the safest and simplest ways to ease chronic inflammation in the body is to take an Omega 3 supplement. Our modern diet means that we are no doubt in short supply and this supplement can help rebalance your system. Increasing your intake of fish has many health benefits; you need to consider the source before potentially adding more toxins to your already overburdened system. Fish concentrate mercury and other heavy metals in their organs and large fish at the top of the food chain can be especially toxic unless they are organic or farm-raised.

It goes without saying that a healthy diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables will be of benefit due to their high fiber content and natural anti-inflammatory properties. Foods rich in antioxidants will also be beneficial such as green tea and blueberries.

Elimination of our bad habit foods and additives will have a profound effect on the reduction of the inflammatory response. Tran’s fats are the number one offender for increasing the body’s inflammatory response, followed closely behind by refined sugars, carbohydrates and gluten. The difficulty is that the body craves these foods when you need them the least. Adding a high quality daily multivitamin and mineral supplement to your diet will also improve tissue function and reduce inflammation.