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Lowering Inflammation 

Lowering Inflammation for Optimal Living

When asked about inflammation, most people understand inflammation in terms of athletic injuries and the inevitable wear and tear of the natural aging process. Many may not know that there is a more insidious and dangerous inflammatory process that develops as we age.

 

Our immune system uses short-term inflammation as a healthy way to combat ongoing assault from invaders such as infections, trauma, and allergens. When the immediate crisis is not resolved, this inflammatory response goes from being a healthy process to an unhealthy condition, otherwise known as chronic inflammation. 

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​Some chronic, degenerative diseases have been shown to have an inflammation component as part of their development. These include: 

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  • Arthritis

  • Heart Disease

  • Diabetes

  • Digestive System Diseases (e.g. Crohn’s and Irritable Bowel Syndrome)

  • Dementia 

  • Allergies

  • Cancer

  • Fibromyalgia

  • Hypothyroidism

  • Pancreatitis

  • Lupus

  • Stroke

  • Osteoporosis (bone loss)

  • Psoriasis

  • Rapid Aging

Are you inflammed?

Here is a short list of symptoms that arise with the development of chronic inflammation, which may give you some indication if inflammation may be a health concern for you:

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  • Body aches and pains

  • Congestion

  • Frequent infections

  • Diarrhea or constipation

  • Dry eye

  • Indigestion

  • Shortness of breath

  • Skin outbreaks

  • Swelling and joint stiffness

  • Weight gain / stubborn midsection weight

Lifestyle factors that can influence
inflammation levels

The following can either contribute to inflammation or keep it in check: 

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  • Adequate sleep

  • Stress levels (especially cortisol)

  • Exercise

  • Exposure to toxins or heavy metals 

  • Balanced diet (nutritional intake) 

  • Smoking / second-hand smoke

  • Prescription / non-prescription drugs

  • Excessive alcohol and recreational drug consumption

  • Inflammatory foods: sugars, unhealthy fats, non-organic meats, pop

Supplements for Inflammation

Here is a (partial) list of ingredients commonly used in anti-inflammatory compounds:

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  • Ginger

  • Boswellia

  • Curcumin

  • Rosemary

  • Yucca

  • Devil’s Claw root

  • Tart Cherry extract

  • Holy Basil

  • Cat’s Claw

  • Green-Lipped Mussel extract

  • Nopal (prickly pear cactus)

  • Fish Oils

  • Digestive Enzymes (such as bromelain, papain and serrapeptidase)

 

There is an old saying which goes: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” – and this certainly applies to inflammation and chronic, degenerative disease. Don’t forget that the lifestyle choices you make today will influence your state of health – ten, twenty, thirty – or even more years from now!

References for further reading

References – Article by Rob Lamberton, B.Sc.

  • Life Extension Foundation Protocols (n.d.)

 

Retrieved from Life Extension, Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP (n.d.)

  • How to manage chronic inflammation

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