There are so many benefits to getting rid of inflammation. You will find a reduction in joint pains, have more motivation to enjoy life, and even lose some extra weight!
The rise in Chronic Inflammatory Disease
Did you know that half of the Australian population lives with a chronic disease?
Chronic inflammatory diseases can occur throughout the body and affect all body systems.
You may be currently managing one of these conditions in which inflammation is rampant. Conditions such as asthma and allergies, obesity, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, cancer, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, coeliac disease, ulcerative colitis, or cancer.
As early as 2004, The Time Magazine (of February 23rd, 2004) referred to Inflammation as the Silent killer. The article referred to it as The Fires Within and stated:
“Inflammation is the body’s first defense against infection, but when it goes awry, it can lead to heart attacks, colon cancer, Alzheimer’s, and a host of other diseases”
The good news is that by resolving the inflammation that underlies these conditions, you may experience a reduction in symptoms or reduce the risk of these conditions occurring.
Inflammation and what is it?
Inflammation is a protection mechanism; the body’s natural and healthy response to injury or threat. When the body is exposed to an injury, microbe, or tissue damage, these are regarded as something the body needs to get rid of.
It does this by calling the inflammatory ‘troops’ to the area to help address the issue.
What happens then, is that inflammation surrounds the area and what it does is prevent further injury by causing:
• Swelling – this protects and contains the area so further damage does not occur.
• Pain – reminds the brain to protect the area and forces the body to stop and rest; and
• Redness – increased blood flow to the area to aid healing.
This Process is Beneficial for Short Periods
In small amounts and for a short-term period, inflammation is a beneficial process that prevents further injury and assists in the healing process.
No doubt, you may have experienced times when this healing process fails and the inflammation lasts so much longer. In this case, you may have used something like Nurofen or other medication to help quickly.
Now if this does not happen fast, you may find yourself needing to take these for so much longer.
But what if I tell you there may be another way to resolve this discomfort?
A way to reduce the ongoing presence of pain, redness, and swelling that has created a new problem: the development of Chronic Inflammatory Disease.
SPMs that help switch off Inflammation
You see, the body is very effective at switching inflammation ‘on’, but how does it switch it ‘off’?
It does this by creating specific messenger cells called Specialised pro-resolving Mediators (SPMs) which migrate to the inflammation source in the body and help turn off or resolve the inflammatory process.
The SPMs are actually made from omega-3 essential fatty acids, mainly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), obtained from fish oil. (My guess is, that you have already been told about just how good fish oils are for you) And if all goes well this EPA and DHA on its own may well help you.
Now, unfortunately, during chronic inflammation states, your body’s ability to produce these SPMs is compromised.
This leaves the inflammation switch in the ‘on’ position, leading to chronic pain and other symptoms.
How you can naturally Fight Inflammation?
Fish oil and SPMs work together to reduce inflammation.
While derived from fish oil, SPMs have unique properties that differ from those of fish oil.
Fish oil is the perfect first line of defense when it comes to combating inflammation generally, especially if dietary intake is inadequate or if there is increased demand (e.g. pregnancy).
SPMs may be considered the second line of defense and have a key role in resolving existing chronic inflammation.
As they have complementary actions, there is a benefit in taking both fish oil and SPMs together – fish oils can prevent new inflammation from occurring while SPMs resolve existing inflammation; making it perfect for targeting the chronic disease conditions mentioned above.
Further Ways to Help Reduce Inflammation is to live an Anti-Inflammatory Lifestyle
The following tips can help reduce inflammation in your daily life, for better health:
- Adopt an anti-inflammatory diet: The food you consume can help to reduce the overall inflammatory load on the body.
- Get creative by experimenting with some of the following foods in your daily diet: oily fish, olive oil, avocado, walnuts, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, dark leafy green vegetables, blueberries, purple grapes, broccoli, cauliflower, beetroot, and carrot.
- Incorporate gentle movement: Moving your body increases emotional resilience, and improves pain management, and range of motion.
- Try low-impact activities such as yoga, tai-chi, walking, cycling, water aerobics, and swimming.
- Stay hydrated: Dehydration causes your muscles and joints to shrivel up, so it makes sense that having well-hydrated ‘juicy’ and fluid muscles and joints helps ease the pain.
- Aim to drink 30 mL of water per kilogram of body weight each day.
- Sleep soundly: Your body does its best repair work when you are solidly sleeping. Ensuring you are getting adequate rest is vital to healing the inflamed parts of your body.
Do you need help putting out the Inflammation fire?
Talk to Your Wellness Centre naturopaths today if you are stuck in the cycle of Chronic Inflammation with recurring pain and symptoms.
SPMs and other natural medicines can help resolve the underlying inflammation and support your body’s ability to heal, to provide you with greater relief.
We are here to help if you are stuck in the cycle of chronic inflammation with recurring pain and symptoms.
However, not all inflammation has a visible injury. For example, 
Turmeric – this traditional anti-inflammatory Ayurvedic herb 
Is poorly managed pain and inflammation slowing you down and impairing your quality of life? The feeling of pain is your body’s way of telling you that there is inflammation present.
Eat a diet plentiful in fresh fruit, a variety of vegetables and good fats from fish and nuts.