Inflammation is a common term used and it has a negative connotation. But is it really bad or can it also be good?
By definition, inflammation is a natural body response to fighting against toxins, infections, and injuries that can harm the body. Inflammation is a good process to combat these foreign invaders, although your body responds by releasing chemicals that trigger a response from your immune system.
So inflammation is a natural and normal response of your body. When you stub your toe, you experience inflammation. The toe swells, and white blood cells and other chemicals arrive in that area to help the body heal itself.
The problem with inflammation is when it is unresolved. The inflammatory process never turns off. The inflammation becomes chronic, which contributes to many health issues including cardiovascular disease, GI distress, IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), and body pain usually headaches, stomach aches and pain in the joints. Inflammation can also contribute to obesity and overweight issues.
There are multiple contributors to inflammation – pro-inflammatory foods, sleep deprivation, negativity, lack of joy, stress, injury and unfortunately the Standard American and Athlete Diet which is high in sugar, processed foods and wheat. I have found that emotional injuries from childhood can increase inflammation although it is not necessarily a cause of it. It can be a reason you have pain.
How does one combat inflammation naturally? There are multiple steps to lower inflammation which include:
- Add an anti-inflammatory diet which replaces pro-inflammatory foods with non-inflammatory or
neutral foods, and add anti-inflammatory foods and often supplements.
I often suggest adding the JShake Anti-inflammatory elixir as an easy, real-food
option to lower inflammation naturally. - Add anti-inflammatory supplements including Omega fatty acids with a
therapeutic dose of EPA at 4000-10,000 mg per day. There is a new SPM Active
capsule that resolved chronic inflammation. - Explore cannabanoids like copaiba essential oil and CBD. I have also noticed,
that most clients have received a larger benefit when the cannabanoid is
combined with turmeric or taken together. - Reduce stress. This can include meditation and yoga, and increase your self-
care routine. Start taking care of your own needs so you can be your best
rather than taking care of everyone else first. I have found a common stressor
is emotional injuries from childhood experiences including criticism. These
emotions often get trapped in the body and create underlying stress emotionally, mentally and
psychologically. These can be worked through with compassion using energy work to release the
emotions naturally. You can also use these 5 Steps to Ease Emotional Triggers. - Increase your intake of water as dehydration can cause stress on the body. Try to drink 60-85 ounces
of water per day, increasing your intake slowly. Your urine should be clear rather than amber in color.
Click here for a dehydraton reference chart using your urine color.
- Increase your quality of sleep. Sleep deprivation can cause stress. This stress
increases inflammation and utilizes the bodies natural resources to heal. Sleep is
restorative and regenerative, but only if you get the right quality and quantity.
Ideally, you want to get more than 7 hours. Often when stressed, your sleep
quality decreases and just time in bed with your “eyes wide open” impedes your
body’s restorative abilities and increases inflammation.
These are not the only steps to take to reduce inflammation but these steps are a good place to start.
Inflammation doesn’t have to make you feel old, cause you pain or feeling hopeless as you now have some steps that will help reduce it.
I would suggest a combination of these for optimal results, and often implementing the anti-inflammatory plan is enough to feel the results. If you have any questions about inflammation and which steps are best for you, schedule your personal chat so we can discuss your situation so you can get relief.