According to the World Health Organization, “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” Typical of the general public’s concept, health has come to mean being pain free. However, pain is the body’s communication attempt to let one know that there is a problem.
A major source of pain is from inflammation. According to Barry Sears MD, author and creator of “The Zone Diet” inflammation can be the force behind a great number of illnesses including: Arthritis, obesity, type-2 diabetes, heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s, asthma and allergies.
Inflammation is a major health problem that can contribute to pain from head to toe. The body’s response to inflammation begins when the body calls out for white blood cells to come and clear an infection and/or damaged tissue. Healthy food for thought: Up to 85% of the body’s immunity comes from the digestive track! Consequences of the Standard American Diet (SAD), which is full of sugar, either as table sugar or high fructose corn syrup, refined flours, processed foods, and inflammatory fats such as transfats and saturated fats, all contribute to inflammatory cascade.
Food sensitivity and allergy are major contributors to inflammation. Being aware of mild symptoms such as constant throat clearing, drippy nose, post nasal drip, fatigue, sleepiness after eating, mood swings, depression, restlessness, headaches, migraines, gas, bloating, indigestion and joint pain are a handful of symptoms.
Low grade or chronic infections from viruses, bacteria, fungus or parasites are also major contributors to inflammation. As the body attempts to attack the invading organism and inflammatory response is created. Often times a patient will make a comment about feeling joint pain relief when on antibiotics for an unrelated infection.
Another major contributor to inflammation is Stress. An elevated cortisol production will cause inflammation in the digestive track leading to body wide inflammation. If the digestive track is impaired an entire downward spiral of health will occur.
A sedentary lifestyle inhibits the circulation that provides increased blood flow and carries away by-products of metabolism. Exercising increases the lymph flow that acts to filter out infections organisms, toxins and waste to be eliminated by the liver and the kidneys all of which can amplify the side affects of inflammation. So get moving!
What can you do to reduce inflammation? For starters, consider the book “Eat Right for Your Blood Type” by Dr Peter D’Adamo. This book is an excellent resource and seems to have hit the nail on the head. Eat foods according to your blood type.
Essential fatty acids (EFA’s) found in cold water fish, flax seed, hemp seed and walnuts are critical to reducing inflammation in the body. According to PubMed, Dr. A.P. Simopoulos, “there have been a number of clinical trials assessing the benefits of dietary supplementation with fish oils in several inflammatory and autoimmune diseases in humans … Many of the placebo-controlled trials of fish oil in chronic inflammatory diseases reveal significant benefit, including decreased disease activity and a lowered use of anti-inflammatory drugs.”
Seek methods to handle stress: nutritionally, emotionally and spiritually. Be tested to confirm the status of the adrenals. Different nutrients are needed depending on the stage of the adrenal fatigue.
Exercise, not only to improve blood and lymph flow, but also to keep the joints well lubricated. It’s also an excellent stress reducer technique.
Take the time to nourish and care for your body. Notice your body’s reaction to the foods you eat and pay attention to those things that don’t agree with you.
This information is for educational purposes and is not intended for diagnosis or treatment.
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