22 Oct Dr. Gorgas Wellness Blog -INFLAMMATION

INFLAMMATION

An underlying factor behind an endless number of diseases. These include inflammatory conditions of the skin (psoriasis,eczema), gastrointestinal tract (Chronn’s disease or diverticulitis) and musculoskeletal system (back or joint pain) just to name a few.

 

A certain degree of healthy inflammation is needed in your body, as it is a necessary component of the immune-defense system. Distressed cells in the body send out signals that trigger a response from the immune cells. Specific cells within the immune system then help eliminate the cause of the damage (infectious agents, trauma) and repair damaged cells and tissue.

 

When your body is in balance it provides immediate action to help promote healing, them shuts down the response when the treat is gone. However when imbalances occur in your immune system, your body shifts toward a state of chronic inflammation that may manifest as a minor headache or something more severe, such as arthritis.

Inflammation in the body is not only pain and diseases, it also send signals to the HPA Axis to send cortisol to the rescue to help reduce the inflammation. This creates a vicious cycle for both the stress response and immune systems.

A number of dietary and lifestyle considerations can shift the body from a pro inflammatory to a balanced and non inflamed state. This will not only help put out the the inflammatory fire but also helps reducing the overall burden to  your stress response system.

 

HOW TO HELP TAKE CONTROL OF INFLAMMATION

1. Reduce the consumption of inflammatory foods like processed meats, red meat, fast food, deep fried food, sweets and other refined and heavily processed foods.
2. Avoid or reduce the consumption of common food allergens like wheat,dairy,corn and corn byproducts (high fructose syrup )
3. Maintain healthy levels of Vitamin D like exposure to sunlight and suplementing with vitamin D3 will also help reduce inflammation and boost the immune
4. Add anti-inflammatory herbs and spices to your meals like turmeric, curcumin, ginger root, garlic, basil, parsley, rosemary, curry, cayenne pepper/chilies, thyme, oregano, cinnamon cloves and mint.
5. Increase your intake of Omega # fatty acids specially EPA. A high quality fish oil or flax seed oil supplement . Also eat foods like salmon, mackarel tuna,herring and sardines and vegetarian choices like ground flax seeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds, sesame seeds, walnuts and brussels sprouts.
6. Maintain gastrointestinal (GI)health . Chronic inflammation often starts in the GI tract. Avoid food allergens consume food high in fiber as well as omega 3 fatty acids and supplement with digestive enzymes and probiotics to boost Gut Health.
7. Eat high life force foods ( raw food like sprouted and fresh organic foods 9fruits, vegetables,sprouts and greens which contain a lot of enzymes and vitamins that aid in reducing inflammation.
8. Eat colorful fruits and vegetables such as blue and red ( blueberries and strawberries) to boost your antioxidant levels to help reduce free-radical damage and inflammation through your body
9. Stay in shape because fat cells in your body produce and secrete inflammatory compounds especially belly fat they do it at higher levels so engage in regular cardiovascular activity to help burn fat and reverse the inflammatory process but don’t do a very long one because that also can cause inflammation
10. Get enough sleep disruption of normal sleep can lead to daytime elevation in pro-inflammatory molecules. 7 to 8 hours each night recommended.
11. Avoid toxin exposure like smoking, environmental pollution, unfiltered water, cosmetic products, skin care products, lotions and household cleaning items .

 

Inflammation comes in two kinds

1. Acute – regular response to infection or trauma

2. Chronic– can slowly wreak havoc eventually leading to illness and rapid aging

 

When chronic inflammation is present supplementing with natural products will provide a significant boost to reversing inflammation

 

                           In our office our Comprehensive blood work test different markers

for INFLAMMATION

1. CRP
2. Homocysteine
3. Ferritin
4. Hdl
5. Monocytes
6. Eos
7. Basos
8. Neuthrophils
9. Lumphocytes
10. Blood Glucose

 

Also please do not forget that inflammation cascades begin in the GUT so in order to reverse it we need to start healing the GUT first