If you pay any attention to medical headlines, you’ll see the word ‘inflammation’ come up quite frequently. Inflammation has been linked to heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, cancer, Alzheimer’s, essentially all chronic diseases. It seems that so many in the medical establishment are now just waiting for the next drug that can make inflammation *poof* disappear. Here is a quote that summarizes this perfectly from Time Magazine circa 2004. “As scientists delve deeper into the fundamental causes of those and other illnesses, they are starting to see links to an age-old immunological defense mechanism called inflammation — the same biological process that turns the tissue around a splinter red and causes swelling in an injured toe. If they are right—and the evidence is starting to look pretty good — it could radically change doctors’ concept of what makes us sick. It could also prove a bonanza to pharmaceutical companies looking for new ways to keep us well.”
Wow. Let’s place the responsibility of ‘keeping us well’ into the hands of the pharmaceutical companies. When is it ever going to be an individual’s responsibility to take care of their own body? There is an arsenal of natural ways to reduce inflammation out there which won’t cost you much, unless you place high value on being able to do whatever you want to your body.
The most important and effective way for a person to reduce inflammation in their body is diet. The implications for an anti-inflammatory diet are enourmous, but it does require a good deal of discipline. You can google inflammatory and anti-inflammatory foods to get a thorough list of each. Here is a short version of what you will probably find emphasized on these lists. The following foods promote inflammation: Sugar, virtually all processed/refined foods, red meat, full fat dairy, caffeine, alcohol. Foods that fight inflammation: fruit and vegetables (yes, this will always be a broken record), grass fed meat and dairy, wild fish, raw nuts and seeds.
There are several natural supplements which can be added to your diet that have very potent anti-inflammatory properties, as well. Most of these are herbs that you can purchase online through places like Iherb.com, or through your local health food store. Curcumin is one of the most recognized natural anti-inflammatory agents. There has been a plethora of studies that have proven it to be a very strong fighter of inflammation. Some other herbs that have these same properties are Boswelia, Quercetin, Ginger Root, White Willow Bark. Omega-3 fatty acids are also very strong inflammation blockers which are found abundantly in Fish and Flaxseed oil.
WARNING: All of the above listed items can cause an increased risk of serious health events, which may include the following: increased energy, weight loss, euphoria, enlightenment, abatement of existing diseases, and a much higher level of wellness. These events can occur at any time during use and without warning symptoms.
Give it a week. Try it and see if you experience some of these serious health events. I guarantee that you will be amazed at how much caring for your own health is so much more effective than the ‘healthcare’ system that we have become so dependent upon.
