Inflammation: The Fire Within

When we think of inflammation, we may think of hot, swollen, painful joints. But did you know that inflammation can be anywhere in the body? Prostate and breast tissue, heart and vascular tissue, and the digestive tract lack sensitive nerves so chronic inflammation may go undetected. This silent menace is particularly dangerous because cellular damage is untreated and ongoing. In fact, the Center for Disease Control says chronic inflammation is at the root of our most deadly diseases including cancer, heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s and diabetes. Chronic inflammation is also at the heart of autoimmune disease.

Acute inflammation is a good thing. Really. It’s necessary to repair an injury or stop an infection, for example. But chronic inflammation is destructive and potentially fatal. By stopping the fire within, we slow the downward spiral of degeneration and disease which can lead to premature aging. We look and feel better because weare better.

“FIRE FIGHTERS”

• Fresh, raw foods
• Turmeric
• Ginger
• Boswellia
• Rosemary
• Holy Basil
• Green Tea
• Baikal Skullcap
• Omega-3 fats
• Probiotics

“INCENDIARIES"

• Standard American Diet (SAD)
• Processed foods
• Trans fats
• Polyunsaturated fats
• High glycemic foods
• Gluten & casein
• Environmental toxins
• Stress/cortisol
• Negative emotions

From Evergreen's Archive: March 2012