Natural Ways Of Reducing Inflammation

In recent years, inflammation has become of greater concern to those in the medical community. Our cultural disregard for the importance of sleep and its role in restoring health has led to a society which suffers from near constant sleep deprivation. This combined with our sedentary lifestyle and reliance upon fast, convenient, and prepackaged foods has led to a rise in chronic inflammation and its associated health conditions.

Chronic and Acute Inflammation

Inflammation is part of normal, healthy functioning of the body. When we’re injured our body creates inflammation to aide in the repair of the damaged cells. In a healthy body, the inflammation ends when the healing is complete. This is called acute inflammation; however when our bodies fail to turn off this mechanism the inflammation continues and is known as chronic inflammation.

Chronic inflammation isn’t obvious because it happens under the surface and often without our awareness. Even so, the damage that results from years of chronic inflammation has serious consequences for our long term health. There are a number of illnesses and conditions associated with chronic inflammation including:

Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Obesity
Osteoporosis
Parkinson’s Disease
Cancer
Diabetes
Atherosclerosis
Depression
High blood pressure
Eczema
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Nutrition and Inflammation

You can have a significant impact on reducing unhealthy inflammation in your body by improving the quality of foods you eat and adding beneficial nutrients to your diet. Consider the following.

Omega 3 fatty acids: There are a number of things you can do to reduce hidden inflammation in your body including supplementing with omega 3 fatty acids or eating foods rich in omega 3’s like olive oil, wild-caught salmon, walnuts, and flax seed. In addition, grass-fed beef and grass-fed bison offer a healthy amount of omega 3 fatty acids that standard, grain fed beef does not.

Avoid or eliminate transfats: These are found in anything which contains partially hydrogenated oils. Read labels carefully as this shelf-stabilizer has a way of sneaking into a number of unlikely foods.

Avoid refined sugars: Consider using honey or low glycemic agave nectar instead of refined sugar in your tea, coffee, and baking.

Olive oil: This healthy oil contains beneficial omega 3’s. Purchase light olive oil for use in high heat cooking instead of canola or other unhealthy oils.

Antioxidants: Focusing on antioxidant-rich vegetables and fruits offers many health benefits. Cherries and dark green vegetables offer high levels of the antioxidants proven to reduce chronic inflammation.

In our competitive, fast-paced and hectic culture sleep is viewed as having little importance; however our bodies repair cell damage done during the day while we sleep. Many healthcare professionals recommend getting between seven and nine hours of sleep each night in order to maintain optimal health.

Acute inflammation is a good thing. It’s the body’s way of repairing damage to the cells and restoring health; however too much of a good thing can lead to issues. By getting enough sleep and supplying our bodies with omega 3’s and other essential nutrients we are able to reduce chronic inflammation and maintain vibrant health.