Inflammation in the body is a normal response to stress whether it is from injury, attack by germs, foods, physical or emotional stress, as well as other sources. Sometimes we know about the inflammation because we can see or feel it as local heat, redness, swelling, and pain. For example, when we get a cold, we may experience a fever as the body attacks the virus. Other times the body is experiencing inflammation and we may not be aware of it. While inflammation is normal and healthy in some situations, chronic inflammation can result in a vast range of diseases. It also has great destructive potential, which we see when the immune system mistakenly targets the body’s own tissues as is the case with autoimmune disease.
I believe the best course of action is to develop a healthy lifestyle and proactively eat a diet that will help reduce and/or eliminate inflammation in the body. Ongoing inflammation in the body can result in visible signs of aging, weakened immune system, skin conditions, chronic pain, and any of the diseases that end in “itis” like arthritis, bronchitis, etc. Here are some basic things you can do to reduce inflammation in the body.
Reduce Stress
Constant psychological, emotional or physical stress raises the level of cortisol, which creates inflammation in the body. One of the simplest things that can be done immediately for emotional or psychological stress is to take deep slow breaths. This instantly calms the body down. Beyond that, we all need to find ways to slow down and feed our soul. For some, meditation does the trick. It could be a completely silent closed eye session or one could listen to music or a guided meditation. There are many other ways to reduce stress like reading a book or watching a good video. Find what works for you.
Exercise Daily
Gentle exercise is not only good for you physically but it can also help reduce stress as well. Things like walking, yoga, or a dance class can benefit our bodies in many ways. We can boost the stress reducing effects of exercise like that by being aware of our breath and our body. If you prefer strenuous exercise, don’t overdo it. Mix strenuous exercise with some more gentle exercise for a healthy balance.
Get Plenty of Sleep
If you’re not getting 7 to 8 hours of good sleep every night, you run the risk of hurting your health. Ongoing sleep deficiency can raise your risk for some chronic health problems. It also can affect how well you think, react, work, learn, and get along with others. More and more studies are revealing the harmful affects of getting too little sleep. And 0ne of the many known harmful results of not getting enough sleep is increased inflammatory markers in the blood.
Soak up the Sun
You may already be aware that vitamin D is important for your body’s absorption of calcium and other bone-building minerals, but it has even more benefits. Research shows that vitamin D is also vital to the body’s immune system. As already mentioned, the body responds to a cold or injury with inflammation. Vitamin D tells the body to turn off the inflammatory response when all is well. Your body uses sunlight to manufacture Vitamin D. Getting out in the sun 30 minutes a day is a good starting point in making sure have an adequate amount of Vitamin D. If this isn’t possible, consider getting your levels tested and supplement with a high quality Vitamin D from a reputable source.
Eat Anti-Inflammatory Foods
One of the most powerful ways to combat inflammation is through food. Studies have shown the power of foods in reducing inflammation in the body. Reducing the intake of inflammatory foods and increasing the intake of anti-inflammatory foods can produce dramatic results. Avoid foods like sugar, fried food, margarine, and shortening. And increase your intake of anti-inflammatory foods such as tomatoes, olive oil, leafy greens, nuts, fatty fish, and fruits such as cherries and blueberries. Some of the most potent anti-inflammatory spices are turmeric, ginger, cayenne, cinnamon, cloves, sage, and rosemary. Add them to your food and or/drink for an powerful anti-inflammatory boost. If you’d like more information about inflammation, a very helpful site is: http://inflammationfactor.com
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