Top Five Natural Inflammation Fighters

Over the last several decades, there has been a considerable amount of research pointing to chronic inflammation as an underlying cause of many diseases. These diseases include arthritis, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, stroke, Alzheimer’s, kidney disease, chronic lower respiratory disease, and possibly even depression. Inflammation itself is normal as it attempts to remove harmful substances and irritants from the body so that the healing process can begin.

Let’s take a scenario on a twisted ankle, if you were to twist your ankle, it can be painful, it may begin to swell up, redness and heat may occur, and you most likely won’t be able to walk on it.  All of those signs point to acute inflammation which is great because we want the body to begin the healing process to your twisted ankle, but the issue is when inflammation becomes chronic. 

In contrast, chronic inflammation is a slow and long destructive process lasting usually several months to years. Chronic inflammatory diseases play a significant role in 7 of the top 10 causes of death in the US and half of all deaths worldwide. The risk factors associated with chronic inflammation include age, obesity, diet, smoking, hormonal imbalances, stress and sleep disorders.  The good news is there are ways to manage chronic inflammation with some lifestyle changes including changes to your diet, environment, physical and mental health.  We have provided a list of our favorite foods and supplements for chronic inflammation:

Turmeric:  It is an herb perennial plant that is related to ginger.  The root of the plant is related to ginger.  The root of the plant is dried and ground to be used as one of the primary ingredients in curry.  The active ingredient in turmeric is cur cumin which is thought to have both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.  It is also known to be used to treat skin diseases, wounds, aid in pain relief, digestive ailments, and liver conditions.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids:  Fish-derived omega 3-fatty acids which contain eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) have been associated with anti-inflammatory components, fetal development, cardiovascular function, and Alzheimer’s disease.  Your body cannot make EPA and DHA meaning you can only obtain omega 3 fatty acids from foods such as salmon, trout, mackerel, and shellfish.

Bromelain: comes from the fruit, juice, or stem of pineapple and contains a protein digesting enzyme mixture which has been known to be used for centuries throughout Central and South America to treat ailments.  It can be helpful with inflammation particularly nasal passages, arthritis, joint stiffness, digestive, respiratory, circulatory, and immune systems. It has also been found to help with breast engorgement pain during nursing.

Ginger: is a plant that contains leafy stems and yellowish green flowers, but the ginger spice comes from the root of the plant.  Ginger contains properties that are commonly used for digestive ailments such as nausea, upset stomach, diarrhea, and colic.  It can also be beneficial for pain relief particularly related to arthritis and menstrual pain.

Quercetin: is a plant pigment (flavonoid) found in plants and foods such as apples, berries, kale, broccoli, onions, green tea, and buckwheat tea. It is also found in herbs including American elder, St. John’s wort, and Ginkgo biloba.  It is used to decrease inflammation in the cardiovascular system and due to allergies.

Adding anti-inflammatory nutrients to a pro-inflammatory lifestyle is very limited in fighting off chronic inflammation.  To make an impact on chronic inflammation a LIFESTYLE CHANGE is necessary. It will not help if you are still eating poorly, not exercising and just taking an occasional fish oil capsule.  It does not work like that; that’s equivalent to throwing a bucket of water on a house that just went up in flames.  No one celebrates over that; you have to work hard mentally and physically to make a change in your life.

Along with anti-inflammatory nutrients, NeuroStructural Corrective adjustments help reduce the production of inflammatory substances and help restore abnormal joint function.  A Structural Shift can cause obstruction to your nervous system thus causing a decreased immune system.  Correction of a Structural Shift allows the body to communicate efficiently and effectively with your immune system through the central nervous system.  NeuroStructural Correction can help reduce systemic inflammation in your body. A person whose nervous system is functioning optimally and living a healthy lifestyle has the greatest opportunity to thrive.