Inflammation - Friend or Enemy?
Inflammation is a necessary component of the immune system. When the body is injured, inflammation is the first line of defense. It causes a build up of the blood in the injured area along with an infusion of white blood cells to defend against foreign substances that include bacteria or other foreign substances. In healing a wound or other injury, inflammation may cause redness and swelling. This is the friendly phase of inflammation.
It becomes the enemy if it does not go away after the injury is healed. When inflammation persists, it can develop into a chronic condition that may be responsible for heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease and similar maladies. Sometimes an auto-immune disorder may arise from inflammation. This is a condition in which the immune system attacks instead of heals.
There are many drugs available for the relief of inflammation, but most have a laundry list of side affects, many of which are worse than the inflammation. The safest and most effective treatment and prevention of persistent inflammation is to live a healthy lifestyle of exercise, weight control and proper nutrition.
Proper nutrition means to discontinue all refined carbohydrates and glucose. Refined carbohydrates are carbohydrates that have had some of the elements removed. White bread or any bread that is not made with whole grains is a refined carbohydrate. Glucose is sugar. Instead of sugar and flour based foods, eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains, sprouted grain bread, cold water fish, sardines and fiber. Special foods and supplements should include fish oil, a multivitamin, almonds, Brazil nuts, turmeric, dark chocolate, and ground-up golden flax seed mixed with soy milk.
Fish oil is one of the most important supplements to take since it provides the necessary omega-3 fats that will help reduce inflammation. A good multi-vitamin will provide many necessary elements the body needs including trace minerals. Almonds have many benefits because it reduces the levels of C-reactive protein. A high level of C-reactive protein indicates inflammation. Almonds are often listed as one of the seven best foods for heart health. The cold water fish and sardines provide more of the Omega-3 fat. Turmeric is an herb imported from India that reduces inflammation. Ground-up flax seed has many benefits including fiber, omega 3 fats, the effect of lowering LDL (bad cholesterol), increasing HDL (good cholesterol) and lowering triglycerides. Dark chocolate in moderation will provide anti-oxidants. Dark chocolate has the highest rate of anti-oxidant production of any food measured on the ORAC scale.
The exercise program should be thirty minute periods three to six times per week. Weight control will be governed by the exercise and nutrition program. Obese people should cut calories twenty five percent per day until the weight is corrected.
Stress reduction is an additional factor that will benefit inflammation. Try to be calm and look for the best in every thing that happens. Have an optimistic and positive outlook. The best is yet to come!!
