We have posted many Blog articles about inflammation. Inflammation plays as both friend and foe to our bodies. When the body has been infected by bacteria, viruses or fungi, its process of releasing white blood cells to the infected areas helps to protect and heal the body. By contrast, however, when the inflammation becomes chronic, it can cause immeasurable harm to the body. Specifically, chronic inflammation has been directly linked to many life-threatening diseases, such as: cancer, stroke, heart disease, diabetes, depression, Alzheimer’s, autoimmune diseases, and the list goes on.
Dr. Frank Lipman, Director of the Eleven Eleven Wellness Center in New York City, calls chronic inflammation a “slow, silent disturbance that never shuts off.” You cannot feel it, taste it or see it, but it is working slowing at deteriorating the body, silently damaging the organs.
In a previous Blog post, titled, Inflammation: The Body’s Protector and Foe, we wrote about the fact that researchers have discovered a protein called MyD88 that triggers inflammation and yet another protein called CYLD that controls the responses of the MyD88 protein. The medical scientists are researching ways in which to increase the CYLD protein in order to control the MyD88, thereby minimizing chronic inflammation in the body. Therefore, the medical world is optimistic that there will be many therapies on the market soon that will be able to target and reduce chronic inflammation.
Meanwhile, we at the Foundation have researched many articles to identify everyday things that we can do in order to minimize any chronic inflammation that may be in our bodies.
BALANCED MEALS: Not surprising, foods that trigger inflammation are basically the same bad foods that we are not supposed to eat for general good health, such as: carbohydrates, fried foods, soda, processed meats, and shortening. Further, and not surprising, researchers highly recommend the Mediterranean Diet that is loaded with vegetables, fruits, and olive oil and other good fats. Below is a list of great anti-inflammatory foods:
Foods that Combat Inflammation
- tomatoes
- olive oil
- green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, kale, and collards
- nuts like almonds and walnuts
- fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, tuna, and sardines
- fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, cherries, and orange
per Health Harvard Edu
Further, the following provides links to many articles that discuss strategies for combating chronic inflammation:
- Foods that Fight Inflammation
- 10 Ways to Reduce Inflammation
- The Enemy Within You
- 12 Ways to Fight Inflammation
- Chopra on Inflammation
Basically, the formula for minimizing chronic inflammation is to eat right, exercise right, sleep right, and so on. Please share any examples that you may be following that help to reduce chronic inflammation.