How Inflammation Affects Your Body And How to Reduce It Naturally

Inflammation is like a check engine light for your body. It tells you that something isn't quite right, and you should pay attention. The first step in discovering the cause of the problem is determining whether you have acute or chronic  inflammation. ‍

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Acute v.s. Chronic Inflammation

Acute inflammation is short-term and plays a critical role in healing and injury repair. Chronic inflammation  on the other hand describes a condition where your immune system continues to produce white blood cells and chemicals even after the injury is gone. 

Why it Matters: The combination of chronic inflammation and an excess of white blood cells can cause some problems  for your immune system. In some cases, your immune system may even begin to target healthy cells and  structures.

If sustained over a long period of time, you may experience changes in your cells, tissues, and organs that can increase the likelihood of disease. Of course, one of the most significant challenges is that chronic inflammation can be invisible unless you  know where to look.

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Here are a few of the most common signs of chronic inflammation:

‍1. Insulin resistance – Insulin helps control the sugar level in your blood, and inflammation could  affect how well your insulin works.

‍2. Muscle weakness – Chronic inflammation can cause your immune system to mistakenly attack  and inflame your muscles, which could make you weaker. 

3. Fatigue – Fatigue is a sign of long-term inflammation and is common in inflammatory diseases like  fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Reducing Inflammation

While the inflammatory process is extremely complex, the solutions aren't. Reducing pain and inflammation naturally is simple with the right strategy. Maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly are all ways that have been shown to effectively reduce pain and inflammation naturally.

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Why it Matters: Your diet and daily exercise routine play a huge role in managing chronic inflammation because each influences your weight and sleep patterns. Foods high in antioxidants (like berries, turmeric, green vegetables) can lower your overall inflammation and provide you with more energy. Daily exercise can help protect you against conditions such as heart disease and obesity, which have both been linked to chronic inflammation. ‍

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Did you know

• Antioxidants known as polyphenols can lower inflammation. 
• Even 20 minutes of daily exercise can have an anti-inflammatory effect. 
• Proper sleep patterns encourage recovery and can lower stress and inflammation levels. 

Next Steps

Reducing pain and inflammation naturally starts with your ability to move your body and exercise daily. If you notice an injury or pain is slowing you down, take a moment to schedule an appointment with us today.

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