WHAT IS INFLAMMATION?
Inflammation is a complex biological response in the body caused initially by damaged cells, toxins, irritants, pathogens or any other harmful agents that are introduced to the body. Acute inflammation is a protective attempt by the body to remove an injurious stimulus and to initiate a healing process. The acute inflammation response is a necessary process for the body to heal. Without acute inflammation, the body would not be able to heal itself. Acute inflammation is a short-term process, usually appearing within a few minutes or hours and ceasing upon the removal of the injurious stimulus.
THE DANGERS OF CHRONIC INFLAMMATION
Acute inflammation is an absolute necessity for the body to heal. Chronic inflammation, on the other hand, is a disease. The system has gotten hung up, and instead of protecting the body, it starts to kill the organism. Slowly but surely chronic inflammation results in a variety of severely damaging conditions in the body. This is why the bodily functions normally control inflammation very closely. Scientific studies have tied chronic inflammation to many of the most common diseases suffered by the human race, including:
v Cancer
v Autoimmune Disorders
v Diabetes
v Stroke
v Depression
v Hay Fever
v Chronic Pain
v Asthma
WHAT IGNITES THE FIRE OF CHRONIC INFLAMMATION?
The word inflammation is derived from the Latin word inflammare – to set on fire. This description is appropriate for all types of inflammation, red and hot. Inflammation has another characteristic in common with fire. When it is out of control, it can do a great deal of damage in a short amount of time. The original cause that ignites the fire differs from person to person and may have been: repeated or prolonged infections, smoking or gum disease, for example. Obesity, too, makes you prone to inflammation, as fat cells churn out inflammatory proteins called cytokines. But the end result is the same: An endless trickle of immune cells interferes with the body's healthy tissues triggering genetic mutations that can lead to cancer; the bursting of plaque in an artery wall; or a host of other conditions leading to any one of the diseases mentioned above.
Understanding the dangers and causes of chronic inflammation are only the first steps. How do we know if we are at risk? How do we find out if we already suffer from the beginning stages? Most importantly, what can be done to prevent chronic inflammation and to reduce chronic inflammation once it is determined to be present?
DO YOU HAVE OR ARE YOU AT RISK OF HAVING CHRONIC INFLAMMATION?
Chronic inflammation is a silent and secretive killer. Most people are not aware that chronic inflammation is present in their body until the symptoms of a serious disease become apparent. By the time symptoms are noticed, damage to the body is often so severe that the healing process may take years and, in fact, may be irreversible. Typical routine checkups by your medical professional will not detect the early stages of chronic inflammation. One blood test that will provide an indication of chronic inflammation is the blood test for CRP (C-reactive protein). Scientific research has shown that high levels of CRP are indicative of chronic inflammation in the body. In fact, on January 28, 2003, the American Heart Association and Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) jointly endorsed the C-reactive protein test to screen for coronary-artery inflammation to identify those at risk for heart attack. One condition that is easily checked is your waistline. Having a large waist measurement—at or above 35 inches for a woman and 40 inches for a man—means you're likely to have excess inflammation. Here are some other conditions that typically indicate a high probability for increased inflammation: high triglycerides (150 mg/dL or above, measured by a cholesterol blood test), high blood pressure (a measurement at or above 130/85 millimeters of mercury), and high levels of glucose (at or above 100 milligrams per deciliter after fasting). According to the American Heart Association, these all point to an inflammatory condition called metabolic syndrome, a common precursor of diabetes and heart disease.
COMMON TREATMENTS FOR CHRONIC INFLAMMATION
Many common products provide short term relief from chronic inflammation, but VERY FEW IF ANY provide long term healing to the body. Some of these commonly used products, known as NSAIDs: Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, have serious side effects, including: kidney damage, stomach problems and thyroid problems. Occasionally, the side effects may be fatal, when used for extended periods of time. Common examples of NSAIDs would be: aspirin, ibuprofen, Naproxen, Oxaprozin and Celecoxib. Taking excess amounts of acetaminophen (Tylenol, Panadol) can cause liver failure that is permanent. This is the reason that warning labels exist on many over-the-counter medications that contain acetaminophen and why prescription narcotic-acetaminophen combination medications (for example, Vicodin, Lortab, Norco, Tylenol #3) limit the numbers of tablets to be taken in a day.
A PHARMACEUTICAL CAUSE OF SERIOUS INFLAMMATION
Statin medications are commonly prescribed to control elevated blood levels of cholesterol. Even when taken in the appropriately prescribed dose, liver inflammation may occur and can be detected by blood tests that measure liver enzymes. Stopping the medication usually results in return of the liver function to normal.
The best and surest way to control chronic inflammation in the body is with powerful anti-inflammatories called betalains. Scientific research has conclusively shown that ingesting adequate amounts of these natural anti-inflammatories will greatly reduce the levels of chronic inflammation and promote healing within the body. Over 200 scientific studies have been done on the health benefits available through a regimen supplementing the diet with betalains. Benefits that have been documented include: healthier cholesterol levels; more controllable blood sugar levels; eliminating hay fever symptoms; lessening asthma symptoms; and elimination of chronic pain. Betalains provide ALL OF THESE BENEFITS AND ABSOLUTELY NO SIDE EFFECTS. Scientific studies are ongoing and continue to discover new health benefits provided by the betalains found in the fruit of the nopal cactus. The VERY BEST SOURCE OF BETALAINS can be found here: BETALAINS
The following practices have proven to be beneficial to anyone fighting chronic inflammation:
Ø IF YOUR WAISTLINE FALLS INTO THE “LARGE” CATEGORY DESCRIBED ABOVE – LOSE WEIGHT
Ø STAY ACTIVE IF YOU ARE – GET ACTIVE IF YOU’RE NOT – DON’T OVERDO IT – 60 MINUTES MAX
Ø EAT A DIET RICH IN FRUITS, VEGETABLES, LEGUMES, NUTS, OLIVE OIL, AND FISH
Ø PRACTICE GOOD ORAL HYGIENE TWICE A DAY – BRUSH AND FLOSS
Ø REDUCE STRESS LEVELS – PRACTICE DEEP BREATHING AND SUPPLEMENT WITH ADAPTOGEN 10+
Ø GET ADEQUATE AMOUNTS OF RESTFUL SLEEP
IN CONCLUSION
Reducing chronic inflammation is important to maintain optimum health. Healthy bodies allow us to do the things we want to do with family and friends without suffering from the symptoms of the diseases described previously. The practices that reduce chronic inflammation also greatly contribute to overall wellness in all areas of the body. Following the practices to reduce inflammation listed in the previous section will result in:
Ø Increased energy levels
Ø Improved mental clarity and alertness
Ø Greater physical stamina
Ø Substantial reduction or complete elimination of chronic pain
TODAY is the first day of the rest of your life. The quality of life you will lead as you age will be greatly affected by the decisions you make or choose not to make TODAY!!!
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