Inflammation is becoming recognized as a primary underlying cause in the development of a wide number of chronic diseases, such as cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, etc. You may be surprised to learn that there are actually two types of inflammation. You probably already associate it with aches in muscles or joints, swelling, maybe some heat or redness. That is actually the much more common type, called Classic Inflammation. It’s obvious, you can definitely feel it, and know it needs to be tended to. This is the lesser dangerous of the two.
What about this other type? The one that nearly every chronic disease is associated with? This one doesn’t generate the type of pain associated with Classic Inflammation. It begins at the cellular level, below the feeling of pain, and can linger and build for years and you won’t know (and therefore goes untreated for years). It’s called Silent Inflammation.
Silent Inflammation is the first sign that your body is out of balance and you are no longer well. You can’t feel it, but it is affecting your heart, your brain, and your immune system. Some of the reasons why dangerous silent inflammation levels have risen rapidly are increased consumption of refined carbs (whole wheat bagels, pasta, junk foods…) and excess consumption of omega-6 (soybean oil, corn oil, sunflower oil). When these omega-6’s react with high levels of insulin (cased by eating more carbs) it’s like adding a flame to a vat of kerosene. HUGE inflammation!!!
So what to do to prevent inflammation from causing you pain and disease?
Here are some things you can do to reduce inflammation:
- Purge
Empty your fridge and pantry of food that will add to inflammation, like high-carb, high-salt, unhealthy trans- and saturated-fat-laden foods. - Know What to Shop For
You’ll want to hit up the farmer’s market or your grocery store stocking up on items like vegetables, fresh herbs, fruits, beans, and lean proteins. - Start Your Day with Green Tea
Ditch the morning coffee for green tea, a powerful inflammation fighter that also burns calories, protects your cartilage, and reduces the rate of bone loss. - Watch Your Carbs
High carbs = high insulin levels (insulin is inflammatory). When you do eat carbs, eat fiber with them. It will slow down the absorption of the inflammation-provoking carbs. - Take Fish Oil
Fish oil is rich in omega-3’s, and will help combat any omega-6’s you have. - Exercise & Stretch
Add aerobic, strength, and flexibility exercises to your life. Even 10 minutes a day can really help.
