Chronic Inflammation: Astonishing Secret Behind this Silent Killer! 8 Ways to Restore Your Health

Chronic Inflammation

The Astonishing Secret Behind this Silent Killer!

8 Ways to Restore Your Health

Understanding Chronic Inflammation is a Crucial Element to Disease Prevention. It is known as the ‘Silent Killer’ due to its hidden dangers. It is important to understand the difference between Acute and Chronic Inflammation, their underlying causes, prevention and how to restore your health with Natural Treatments and Lifestyle Changes.

When you think of inflammation, you may associate it with a natural response of the body to injury or infection, and you are right. This is what is known as acute inflammation, which is a short-term response that helps the body fight off infections and heal injuries. However, the process of inflammation is complex and involves the immune system, blood vessels, organs, and tissue that make up your body. On the other hand, chronic inflammation is a long-term response that can lead to tissue damage, serious health conditions, and disease.

Understanding Acute and Chronic Inflammation

Acute inflammation is a rapid immune-system defense response that causes redness and swelling around an injury, cut, or infection. It can also occur in response to a cold, flu, or sore throat. When acute inflammation persists for an extended period, it can cause damage to healthy tissues and organs, leading to chronic inflammation. However, it’s important to note that not all cases of chronic inflammation are caused by acute inflammation, as will be explained further in this article.

Chronic inflammation is a long-term response where the body’s immune system is in a constant state of alert, even when there is no infection or injury. This can cause damage to healthy cells, tissues, and organs over time, leading to internal scarring, tissue death, and damage to DNA in previously healthy cells. The constant release of antibodies and proteins can also lead to serious health issues such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, dementia, stroke, and diabetes. Chronic inflammation is often subtle and difficult to detect and can be a symptom of autoimmune and other serious illnesses.

Signs & Symptoms of Chronic Inflammation!

Chronic inflammation occurs when the immune system is constantly at work, leading to an overreaction that causes the body to go into battle. The body becomes confused and begins attacking itself in an attempt to find a resolution to the cause of these symptoms, which appears to be unknown. In this article, you will learn ways to help your body to alleviate these symptoms and restore health.

Here are some of the known Signs and Symptoms

• Fatigue, insomnia, and fever
• Body pain and joint stiffness
• Depression, anxiety, and mood disorders
• Gastrointestinal issues, such as constipation, diarrhea, acid reflux, and abdominal pain
• Weight gain or loss
• Persistent or frequent infections
• Skin problems, such as rashes, sores, and psoriasis
• Elevated blood markers, such as C-reactive protein

6 Causative Factors of Chronic Inflammation

It is crucial to recognize the underlying causative factors before treating an illness or disease successfully. Eliminating these factors is important for the successful restoration of health.

Chronic Inflammation that has gone undetected or long-term harmful lifestyle habits, bandaid treatments of Acute Inflammation, such as taking anti-inflammatory or pain medication on a consistent basis.

1: Smoking causes chronic inflammation by activating certain white blood cells called neutrophils, which release molecules that lead to increased inflammation, that leads to Cancer, Heart Disease and Stroke.

2: Alcohol – Consuming more than 6 standard drinks per week is considered excessive alcohol consumption. This can trigger various reactions in the body that cause inflammation to intensify over time instead of resolving. For instance, alcohol can cause an overgrowth of bacteria in the gut, which leads to an increase in bacterial waste products, including endotoxins. These chemicals activate proteins and immune cells that promote inflammation, leading to a worsening of inflammation instead of improvement.

3: Diet plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy body. The food you eat can either support or harm your health. Foods that are known to cause chronic inflammation –

• Added sugars: Consuming too much added sugar leads to chronic inflammation. Examples of added sugars include cookies, candies, some cereals, breads, crackers, granola bars, and salad dressings.

• Trans fats: Food manufacturers create trans fats through the process of hydrogenation. They are found in fried foods, baked goods, and processed snack foods. Trans fats may increase inflammatory markers and the risk of chronic inflammation, which can lead to diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

• Refined carbohydrates: Refined carbohydrates like white bread and pastries have a high glycaemic index and can cause inflammation in some people.

• Red and processed meat: Red meat contains a molecule called Neu5Gc that can trigger an immune response in some people. Processed meat like hot dogs and sausage contain nitrites that can cause inflammation.

• Sugar-sweetened beverages: Sugar-sweetened beverages like soda and fruit juices contain high amounts of added sugar that can cause inflammation.

• Processed seed oils: Processed seed oils like soybean, canola, vegetable and corn oil are high in omega-6 fatty acids that can cause inflammation when consumed in excess.

4: Obesity Due to the links between adipose tissue and the immune system, overweight or obese people experience chronic inflammation as immune cells infiltrate their fatty tissue, which is part of what activates the inflammatory response caused by obesity.

5: Inactivity – When you are inactive, your body produces fewer anti-inflammatory cytokines and more pro-inflammatory cytokines, which can lead to chronic inflammation.

6: Chronic Stress can lead to chronic inflammation in the body when you haven’t learnt constructive, positive ways to deal with it. How chronic stress, contributes to chronic inflammation.

• When your body senses a threat or stressor, the nervous system elicits the fight-or-flight response, and the brain signals the endocrine system. This triggers the immediate release of adrenaline and an increase in cortisol. These two hormones speed up heart rate, breathing, reaction time and muscle contractions, actions that are all designed to almost instantaneously provide the resources the body needs to outrun a stressor or get it under control.
• Then the body slowly returns to normal—breathing and heartbeat slow, muscles slowly relax, and adrenaline and cortisol levels decline—as the stressor leaves or subsides. However, when the stressor sticks around and the stress response continues, it can cause dysfunction in the nervous and endocrine systems, leading to chronic inflammation. This then can have long-term impact on the body and brain, leading to various chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer and autoimmune conditions.

Chronic Inflammation is truly the underlying causative factor to All Disease and loss of quality of life, but don’t worry, our Membership programs provide a clear and guided path to Take Charge of your Health and overcome this overwhelming challenge.

8 Ways to Begin Restoring your Health

1: Change your eating habits by eliminating harmful foods and replacing them with fresh, whole foods. Chronic inflammation is often caused by an acidic body. Consuming alkaline-forming foods can help balance your body’s pH levels and reduce inflammation.

2: Taking charge of stress is a crucial step towards improving your health in more ways than one. When you begin managing stress positively and constructively, you will be less vulnerable to indulging in negative and harmful habits.

3: Getting Active – Regular exercise can help reduce chronic inflammation by regulating the immune system. Aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking, can reduce body fat, which contains inflammation-promoting substances. Exercise also increases the production of hormones that help regulate inflammation and promote normal functioning. Taking a 30-minute walk every day is a great place to start.

4: Enjoy a cup of Tea: Drinking herbal teas can be a natural way to reduce inflammation in the body. Here are some herbal teas that are known for their anti-inflammatory properties:

• Green tea: Green tea contains polyphenols, which have anti-inflammatory properties that can help relieve some of the flare-ups associated with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis . To brew green tea, steep a tea bag or loose tea leaves in a tea infuser for five minutes.
• Holy basil: Holy basil is thought to help your body counter emotional, environmental, and metabolic stress. These are often the root causes of inflammation that lead to chronic disease. To make holy basil tea, steep 1 teaspoon of dried leaves or 2 teaspoons of fresh leaves in 1 cup of boiling water for 5 minutes.
• Turmeric: Turmeric contains curcumin, which has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. To make turmeric tea, add 1 teaspoon of grated fresh turmeric or turmeric powder to 4 cups of boiling water and let it simmer for 10 minutes. Drink either hot or cold throughout the day. Add a teaspoon of honey.
• Ginger: Ginger contains gingerols and shogaols, which have anti-inflammatory properties. To make ginger tea, add 1 tablespoon of grated ginger to 2 cups of boiling water and let it steep for 10 minutes.
• Rose hip: Rose hip contains polyphenols and anthocyanins, which have anti-inflammatory properties. To make rose hip tea, steep 2 teaspoons of dried rose hips in 1 cup of boiling water for 10 minutes.
• Fennel: Fennel contains anethole, which has anti-inflammatory properties. To make fennel tea, add 1 teaspoon of fennel seeds to 1 cup of boiling water and let it steep for 10 minutes.

• Please note that these teas are recommended as part of your journey to restoring your health, but they are not intended to replace making healthy lifestyle changes.

7: Make Time for Self-Care – It is all to often that you can get all caught up in the hustle and bustle of life, forgeting or not making time to care for yourself. Twice a day for a minimum of an hour, take time to moisturise your face and body, apply your favourite scent, do some yoga or stretching and wear one of your favourite outfits. Apply a little makeup if you so desire. Self-care is a crucial element that supports building self-esteem and self-confidence.

8: Intermittent Fasting – Research has found that intermittent fasting helps to maintain healthy levels of inflammation. It is important to apply this method in a sensible and healthy way. You can learn how to do so by reading my article on intermittent fasting.

Risks & Side effects of

Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, are pain medications often used to treat muscle and joint pain, though they may be used for nerve pain in some cases. NSAIDs fall under the heading of non-opioid analgesics or non-narcotic pain medications.

Unlike opioids, many NSAIDs can be purchased over the counter. Ibuprofen and naproxen, both NSAIDs, are readily available in drug and convenience stores. Prescription-strength NSAIDs for chronic pain are also available if your pain is more severe. In these cases, NSAIDs may also be combined with opioids to better control your pain

All medications come with a risk factor and side effects. NSAIDs are no different. When NSAIDs are taken on a regular basis, and over an extended period of time, that is often the case when it comes to pain relief and chronic pain. The risk of side effects will increase. Evidence suggests that the potential for NSAID-associated complications increases with age and negative lifestyle habits. Some more common side effects include:

• Stomach irritation and ulcers
• Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding
• Increased potential for bruising
• Exacerbation of asthma symptoms
• Increased risk of stroke, heart attack, and blood clots
• Liver and Kidney damage

What Increases the Risks of Serious Side Effects

• Long-term use of NSAIDs is defined as taking them more than three times a week for more than three months.
• Alcohol Consumption is known to exacerbate the side effects of NSAIDs
• A Senior person who has impaired liver or kidney function
• A History of Cardiovascular and heart disease or people who are at risk of heart disease
• People with High Blood Pressure
• Obesity and people who are overweight
• People with unhealthy eating and lifestyle habits
• Gastro-intestinal: Digestive Problems

Summarizing the Risks and Side Effects of NSAIDs

It is a known fact that taking medications has no benefits to restoring health. It’s important to note that no medication is completely safe. All NSAIDs, both prescription and over-the-counter, now have warning labels that describe the risks. Despite these warnings, the number of people using NSAIDs has not decreased, and the incidence of health problems associated with their use is rising.

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