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Chronic inflammation increases your risk of developing heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Diabetes, cancer and other diseases. 
By Dr. Lorraine Parker, DC, MS

 

“What does a stubbed toe or a splinter in a finger have to do with your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, suffering a heart attack or succumbing to colon cancer?” That was the question posed by a recent article in Time Magazine. And the consensus of current medical opinion states that a stubbed toe, Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease and colon cancer are related.

The symptoms of acute inflammation, whether from a splinter or stubbed toe, are swelling, tenderness, redness, and local heat. You know you’ve been wounded because it hurts. Furthermore, inflammation is beneficial.  The surreptitious cascade of potent chemicals released by vigilant armies of Immune System cells prevent a mere splinter from killing you  These sentinels patrol the body waging chemical and biological warfare against invading armies of bacteria, viruses, and parasites that attempt to organize a sneak attack almost daily. The inflammatory process is your lifesaver!
However, occasionally the inflammatory process goes awry and doesn’t shut off.  The cascade of potent chemicals released from Immune System cells continues to churn out a toxic brew. You go about your daily life oblivious of the chronic systemic inflammation that is simmering around your organs and continuing for many years. Furthermore, the symptoms of chronic systemic inflammation are non-specific and deceptive. These symptoms can mimic other diseases and include chronic fatigue, vague muscle pains, poor appetite, occasional weight loss, sleepiness, and depression.

The behind-the-scenes battle within your body eventually claims you as its victim.  The conqueror’s final victory, after years of slowly simmering, is to erupt as the precursor for heart disease, heart attacks, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, Diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis, asthma, or psoriasis. Furthermore, the areas around these simmering sites, in addition to releasing toxic chemicals, are also producing large amounts of damaging free radicals.

How can you stop inflammation from burning up your body’s resources? Here are a few simple steps you can take right now to douse the fire.

Eat Right to Stay Cool

Fats     Limit your daily intake of saturated fat found in meat, eggs, and dairy products as well as the omega-6 fats found in vegetable oils such as corn, sunflower, safflower, soybean, and cottonseed. The fat in meat, eggs, and dairy products contains arachidonic acid which is a building block used by the body to produce pro-inflammatory chemical messengers. And, linoleic acid found in vegetables oils is easily converted to arachidonic acid.

Instead, substitute omega-3 fats. The omega-3 fats are found in flaxseeds, wheat germ, and fatty fish such as salmon, bluefish, mackerel, lake trout, sardines, and menhaden. The omega-3 fats supply the anti-inflammatory building blocks of linolenic acid which is found in flaxseed, and wheat germ, and eicosapentaenoic (EPA) acid, and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acid which are found only in fatty fish. Always include fatty fish in your diet because flaxseeds, even though they contain omega-3 fats, require an additional conversion of linolenic acid to the anti-inflammatory chemical messengers EPA and DHA. Unfortunately, not everyone accomplishes this conversion efficiently. If you don’t like fish or don’t eat it often enough (at least 3 to 4 times a week), you can take omega-3 fatty acid supplements. Look for supplements that contain EPA and DHA fatty acids and take between one and four capsules daily.

An interesting fact to note here is that even though eating salmon will enhance your body’s production of anti-inflammatory chemical messengers, it must be wild salmon and not farmed salmon. According to the USDA, a four ounce portion of farmed salmon contains liberal amounts of the building blocks to make pro-inflammatory chemical messengers. However, the same portion of wild salmon contains almost none.

Fruits and Vegetables          
Arrange your plate to look like a colorful rainbow.  Include abundant amounts of the dark and colorful fruits and vegetables. These hued gems contain abundant amounts of antioxidants to soak up the free radical by-products produced by chronic inflammation. Remember, the darker the color, the more antioxidants!

Carbohydrates         
Eat carbohydrates rated with a low- to- moderate value on the Glycemic Index. The Glycemic Index rates a food as to how quickly its sugar is absorbed after a meal, how high blood sugar rises, and how rapidly insulin is released from the pancreas. Foods with a high Glycemic Index cause a rapid rise in blood sugar levels and a rapid release of insulin from the pancreas. These high levels of glucose and insulin are linked to the production of pro-inflammatory chemical messengers.

Exercise to Cool Down
A little known fact is that fat cells produce pro-inflammatory chemical messengers. Therefore, exercise is a great way to reduce the number of fat cells around your body.

Brush and Floss Daily to Extinguish the Fire
Another little known fact is that persistent gum disease is a major contributor to chronic inflammation. Therefore, brushing and flossing daily can reduce your risk of gum disease and inflammation.

Herbs That Can Douse the Fire
Boswellia is an Ayurvedic plant that contains anti-inflammatory substances called boswellic acids. These acids reduce inflammation by inhibiting two of the pro-inflammatory chemical messengers. When purchasing Boswellia, look for Boswellia Extract that is standardized for 65% boswellic acids.

Turmeric is indigenous to South India and Indonesia and is recommended for all inflammatory disorders. It is a common ingredient in curry powder. When purchasing Turmeric, look for whole Turmeric as it is more effective than isolated curcumin, its major constituent. And purchase products that are standardized for 95% curcuminoids.
Cat’s Claw is indigenous to the Amazon rainforest and other tropical areas of South and Central America. Its active substances contribute anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-cancer properties. Many herbal formulas combine Cat’s Claw with other plants and natural products for increased absorption and bioavailability. When purchasing Cat’s Claw, look for products made from the inner bark that are standardized for 3% alkaloids and 15% phenols.

These changes to your lifestyle can easily be accomplished and rather than being a victim of chronic inflammation, you’ll arise victorious! In addition, you’ll be conserving your body’s resources instead of burning them up.

OTHER ARTICLES BY
DR. LORRAINE PARKER, DC, MS

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Chronic inflammation increases your risk of developing heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Diabetes, cancer and other diseases. 

How you can save your aging brain. 

Olive oil, almonds, and tomatoes – three foods that provide “super” health benefits. 

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