Inflammation is classified into two main types: Acute, which occurs for about two weeks, and Chronic, which is slower, less severe, and lasts longer than six weeks.
What is Inflammation? It is part of the body’s innate immune response to damaged cells, viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens. It removes harmful or foreign invaders and heals itself. Without inflammation, wounds would just aggravate, and infections could be deadly.
What does the inflammation process look like? First, chemicals from white blood cells are released into the bloodstream to protect your body against foreign substances, which then release chemicals into the area of injury or infection. This increased blood flow results in redness and a sensation of warmth in the affected area. The chemical release can also trigger fluid leakage in surrounding tissues, which causes swelling.
Nerves are often stimulated during this process and can cause temporary pain.
Inflammation can be mistaken for infection, but the two are quite different. Infection can cause inflammation due to the presence of harmful substances, and inflammation is the body’s natural response to infection. In this way, inflammation is generally beneficial.
Acute inflammation often occurs because of an injury to the external body or skin. Symptoms include:
- Immobility
- Heat (affected area feels warm to the touch)
- Pain
- Redness
- Swelling
Symptoms and signs of chronic inflammation:
- abdominal pain
- chest pain
- fatigue
- fever
- mouth sores
- rash
- joint pain
Chronic inflammation can cause: Enlargement and loss of kidney function, swelling, and loss of blood vessel function and muscles.
The leading causes of inflammation are: a poor diet, stress, food allergies, and a sedentary lifestyle, leading to weight gain. Being overweight can mean a state of long-term, low-grade inflammation. Negative personality traits like smoking, eating unhealthy foods, and a lack of exercise encourage inflammation. Harmful bacteria produce microbiome problems and contribute to inflammatory conditions like arthritis, depression, and neurological ills.
Inflammatory Diseases include:
- Acute bronchitis
- Asthma
- Crohn’s disease
- Chronic peptic ulcer
- Hepatitis
- Ingrown infected toenail
- Heart disease
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Lupus
- Sinusitis
- Sore throat due to a cold or flu
- Periodontitis
- Ulcerative colitis
Foods that can cause inflammation in the body: Sugar, sucrose, and fructose.
Saturated fats found in fast foods and fried products, processed snack foods, frozen breakfast products, cookies, donuts, crackers, and margarine.
Omega-6 fatty acids are essential in moderation, but excess consumption produces pro-inflammatory chemicals found in corn, safflower, sunflower, soy, peanut, and vegetable oils; mayonnaise and salad dressings.
Refined carbohydrates/white flour products, including bread, rolls, crackers, and cereals, are brutally lacking in nutrients and are advanced glycation end (AGE) products that trigger inflammation.
People with celiac disease should avoid gluten.
Casein
Aspartame
Alcohol – excessive intake is harmful to the liver.
Corticosteroids, such as cortisone and prednisone, are prescribed for chronic inflammation like arthritis and asthma. When used on a short-term basis, side effects include fluid retention, increased appetite, weight gain, insomnia, and mood changes.
Long-term effects include osteoporosis, high blood pressure, diabetes, weight gain, infections, cataracts, glaucoma, muscle weakness, and thinning of the skin.
Natural Anti-Inflammatory Foods, Herbs, and Spices
Ensure your diet is loaded with foods high in antioxidants to reduce levels of LDL ‘bad’ cholesterol and lower the risks of heart disease, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and cancer.
Vegetables – three servings/day of beets, carrots, cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and kale), dark, leafy greens, onions, peas, salad greens, sea vegetables, and squashes.
Fruits – three servings/day of apples, all berries, nectarines, oranges, pears, grapefruit, pineapple, plums, pomegranates.
Water – at least two liters/day.
Beans and Legumes – two servings/day of black beans, black-eyed peas, chickpeas, or lentils.
Healthy Fats – five servings/day of avocados and extra virgin olive oil.
Herbs and Spices – unlimited!
Protein – organic eggs, grass-fed meats, healthy cheeses, organic poultry, and cultured/raw dairy.
Green Tea – an excellent natural anti-inflammatory, three cups/day.
Red wine contains quercetin, a potent anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, and antiviral; also, resveratrol reduces inflammation and oxidative stress while acting as a neuro-protectant. Drink no more than two glasses/day.
Herbs and Spices that Combat Inflammation
- Ginger
- Garlic
- Turmeric
- Cardamom
- Black pepper
- Ginseng
- Green tea
- Rosemary
If you have any comments or questions about this column, contact me by email or find me at my Saturday market located on the Cuale Island, downtown Vallarta, from 10 am to 2pm.
You can find many organic products and supplements, as well as organic coffees and regional raw honey. Also, Anti-inflammation tinctures, Ceylon cinnamon, and apple cider vinegar with the mother. Superfoods such as Maz-Mix digestive formula, a fermentation product with probiotics and prebiotics. Moringa leaf and powder, and a wide array of tinctures, tonics, and herbal supplements.
Please call 322 140 5677 for assistance and appointments. Email me at mexicasupplement@gmail.com for information about herbal and natural products to help you achieve your nutrition and health goals.
