While we cannot see the intricacies of what’s going on inside, our bodies use various signs and symptoms to let us know what’s taking place. For example, after experiencing a fall, the response to injury is inflammation (localized redness, swelling, heat, pain, loss of function), which signals to the immune system to heal and repair the injured area. However, sometimes the body goes awry, and if that inflammation lasts longer than needed or occurs without injury, then systemic inflammation may be the culprit.
The good news: Systemic inflammation is treatable. Below you will learn about systemic inflammation, as well as some tips on how to combat it.
Acute Inflammation vs. Systemic Inflammation
As discussed above, there are instances where inflammation is good, and this is called acute inflammation. Those instances are when you experience a cut, infection, broken bone, sting, or sprained ankle. In these cases, inflammation acts as a type of “SOS” to your body to send help and heal the damaged area. While this inflammation may not feel great at the time, the pain will usually dissipate as you heal.
Unlike acute inflammation, systemic inflammation is problematic for the whole body and can have prolonged effects. Left untreated, this sort of inflammation ceases to be a symptom and starts to be a cause of a vast array of issues, including:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Congestive heart failure
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Cancer
- Asthma
- Arthritis
- Crohn’s disease
Identifying Systemic Inflammation
So, how do you know if you are struggling from systemic inflammation? If you have chronic fatigue, depression, unmanageable weight gain, a disease, mouth sores, rashes, fevers, or pain, then you may be suffering from systemic inflammation. Systemic inflammation may be the result of an untreated injury on infection, an autoimmune disorder, what you are eating, or long-term exposure to chemicals or pollutants. If you have any signs or symptoms that concern you and/or prevent you from living your best life, it’s time to consult your medical provider.
The Plan
Aside from contacting your provider, there are ways to reduce systemic inflammation:
Step 1: Know Your microbiome
The majority of the human microbiome lives in the gut. The bacteria within the microbiome can improve digestion, regulate the immune system, protect against harmful bacteria, produce vitamins, and help control emotional health. A healthy guy can help you lose weight, lower inflammation, and improve your mental and physical health.
Step 2: Help Your microbiome
You can boost a healthy microbiome in your gut by reducing or removing gluten, processed foods, sugar and alcohol from your diet. Aim to add fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts to give your gut the vitamins it needs naturally. Taking a daily probiotic — either in the form of a vitamin or through foods like cucumbers or sauerkraut — will help eliminate bad microbes. Adding prebiotics, through foods like bananas, onions, and raw garlic, will help the good microbes thrive.
Step 3: Eliminate toxicity at a cellular level
Years of an unchecked microbiome and inflammation gone awry can cause serious damage to each cell of your body. So, reset your body by doing a refreshing and recharging cleanse. Drinking Living Juice not only can help to eliminate toxins from your body, but it can also help with inflammation as well. A change in your diet can also be the cure. Plant-based diets have proven to lower risks for diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and obesity. Plant-based foods can give your body everything it needs, as well as nourish and repair your body from the cellular level on up.
When left untreated, systemic inflammation can wreak havoc on your body. Whether you’re experiencing signs and symptoms of systemic inflammation or you want to prevent it, it’s important to be proactive. Start by informing yourself on what inflammation is and how to identify it in your body. Then, aggressively attack systemic inflammation by seeking counsel from your healthcare provider, understanding your microbiome, eating the right foods, and eliminating pollutants and irritants from the inside out. In no time, you will start feeling like a better you.
Guest Blog by Dylan Foster at healthwellwise.com