Inflammation is the body's natural and beneficial response to injury or infection, it’s where the immune system releases chemicals to fight harmful stimuli. However, chronic inflammation that occurs in the brain, can be detrimental. There is increasing evidence that chronic inflammation may play a role in the development and progression of certain types of dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease. There are several factors that can trigger inflammation within the body:
1. Infection: When your body detects the presence of harmful microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, or fungi, it initiates an inflammatory response to fight and eliminate them. This is known as infectious inflammation and it’s a good thing! 2. Injury: Physical injuries like cuts, burns, and bruises can trigger inflammation as the body works to repair damaged tissue. This is often referred to as acute inflammation. Again, a good thing! 3. Autoimmune Disorders: In some cases, the immune system can mistakenly attack healthy tissues and organs, leading to chronic inflammation. Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and multiple sclerosis are examples of autoimmune diseases. 4. Allergies: Allergic reactions can lead to inflammation when the immune system overreacts to normally harmless substances (allergens) such as pollen, certain foods, or insect stings. 5. Chronic Diseases: Certain chronic diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, can promote a state of chronic low-grade inflammation in the body. This type of inflammation is often referred to as metabolic or systemic inflammation. 6. Diet and Lifestyle: Poor dietary choices, such as consuming excessive amounts of processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats, can contribute to inflammation. Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, lack of exercise, and chronic stress can also increase inflammation. As can poor dental hygiene. 7. Environmental Factors: Exposure to environmental toxins, pollution, and certain chemicals can trigger inflammation. 8. Genetics: Some people may have genetic predispositions that make them more susceptible to certain types of inflammation or inflammatory conditions. 9. Ageing: Inflammation tends to increase with age as the body's natural repair mechanisms become less efficient.
Just to re-iterate, while acute inflammation is a necessary and beneficial response, chronic inflammation can be harmful and is associated with various health issues, including heart disease, cancer and autoimmune disorders and can lead to inflammation in the brain (neuroinflammation). Lifestyle choices, such as maintaining a healthy diet, regular exercise, managing stress, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, can help reduce the risk of chronic inflammation and its associated health problems. You might be interested to note that yo-yo dieting and restrictive diets can also cause chronic stress within your body, as can over-training. It is important to have a balanced diet and make sure you have recovery time if you are exercising regularly.
If you suspect you have chronic inflammation or an inflammatory condition, it's essential to consult with a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and management. Managing underlying causes of inflammation is essential in helping to reduce the risk of developing other health issues.
As a quick aside, because acute inflammation after an injury is a normal response, the NHS recommend that you don’t take an anti-inflammatories (eg Brufen) for the first 3 days of an injury so that you can let your body do its work. If you need to take something for the pain then consider general analgesia.
I’m not a medical professional so I cannot comment or advise on some of the items but if you need any help with changing or managing your lifestyle choices, such as Nutrition, Movement/Exercise, Stress and Sleep management, as a Health & Wellness Coach I can help and support you on your chosen path, so please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
In terms of Nutrition, in brief, you need to look at: Eating more:
· lean protein at each meal
· plenty of colourful fruits and vegetables
· slow-digesting, high-fibre carbs
· healthy fats
· whole, unprocessed foods as much as possible
Minimise or eliminate:
· Foods to which you are sensitive or intolerant eg wheat or diary
· Processed sugar
· Alcohol (and other recreational drugs)
· Processed or ultra-processed foods
Comments