Chances are….You’re Inflamed!
The typical American diet (lots of take-out; saturated fats; high animal protein, full of artificial flavorings; excess refined sugar, etc) promotes inflammation. According to Richard M. Fleming, M.D., “Inflammation is caused when the immune system sends out immune cells to fight an infection or excess quantities of toxins in the blood.”
Everyday our immune system is working diligently and overtime to fight off invaders. When our immune system becomes overworked, we create a raging fire known as inflammation. The Greeks were the first to use the word inflammation and termed it as, “a fire within the body.”
If you are overweight especially in the abdominal area you most likely suffer from some sort of inflammation. Therefore if weight loss is on your mind this January (new years resolutions!) you might want to rewire your dieting strategy to one that focuses on reducing the fire throughout your cells.
Many of us don’t know we are inflamed until we reach the state of dis-ease. Most, if not all disease, is connected to high levels of inflammation in the body. It’s time to take preventative measures so that you prevent disease and promote healthy within.
Signs of “fire” that many times can’t be physically seen or felt are:
- Pain
- Heat
- Fever
- Loss of function
- Arterial Swelling
- Rashes
- Redness
When you do feel inflammation, it can manifest as pain in a joint. For any sort of discomfort like this, I suggest trying the Emotional Freedom Techniques. I’ve had great success with my clients using these techniques.
One of the best indicators for inflammation is the C-RP blood test. There is also a high association between C-RP levels and LDL (the bad cholesterol). Chances are if you’ve got high LDL, you’ve also got high C-RP (inflammation)! It is also common for inflammation to originate in the gut so taking a good look at one’s gut-health is very important (this can be done through other tests). I work with my clients to understand this blood work and use advanced therapeutic methods to get to the root of the results.
Our diet plays a major role with inflammation and so does physical activity. Processed foods; large amounts of dairy and animal products; vegetable oils; refined sugar are some trigger foods. Pro-inflammatory substances like insulin; estrogen and triglycerides circulate throughout the body under this state.
To lower your inflammation your diet must be altered so that you lose weight and increase your exposure to antioxidants.
Some of my favorite foods to help reduce inflammation are:
- Garlic (anti-bacterial)
- Brazil Nuts (high in selenium)
- Cruciferous Veggies (cancer fighting)
- Root veggies (think squash, sweet potatoes and onions!)
- Apples (high in fiber)
If working out is also on your resolution list for 2008, you are on the right track. Increasing circulation throughout the body (which can be helped through movement) will indeed cut down on inflammation.
Other common causes of inflammation can be:
- Food Allergies
- Environmental Allergies and Pollution
- Injury
- Trauma
- Infections
- Parasites
- Stress
- Digestive problems
In 2008 stop looking to quick-fix diets to solve your weight problems. Instead look to the root cause and focus your attention to where it really matters.