How can you fight inflammation?
Inflammation is the body’s way of fighting off infection and responding to trauma. Acute inflammation is necessary for health and should resolve on its own. However, if inflammation is not resolved and becomes chronic, it can contribute to many health problems. Lifestyle plays a big role in inflammation: diets high in added sugar and trans fats promote inflammation, while diets rich in fruits and vegetables can help reduce inflammation. Supplements like curcumin, fish oil and certain botanical extracts can also help inhibit excessive inflammation.
What causes inflammation in the body?
Inflammation is caused by an “insult” to the body. Acute inflammation can be caused by a wound or infection, but chronic inflammation is less easy to pinpoint. With age, the body loses some of the ability to resolve inflammation, resulting in chronic, low-grade inflammation that is linked to diseases like diabetes, stroke and more. Unhealthy diets, such as those high in trans and saturated fats, added sugars and refined grains, can promote inflammatory pathways in the body as well.
What are natural ways to reduce chronic inflammation?
There are several natural ways to help reduce inflammation in the body. Leading a healthy lifestyle is absolutely essential—eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, limit trans-fat and added sugar, exercise regularly, get enough sleep and manage stress levels. Ingredients like curcumin and ginger also have potent anti-inflammatory properties. Specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) help the body naturally resolve inflammation as well.
