Inflammation.
I’m talking about the kind of inflammation you can’t see or necessarily feel (directly) but according to studies, inflammation may be the cause of many different diseases and conditions.
So What Is Inflammation?
Inflammation is your body’s process of fighting against things that harm it, such as infections, injuries, and toxins, in an attempt to heal itself.
Think about the time you stubbed your toe or accidentally hit your thumb with a hammer. The result is redness and bruising as your body rushes to help your body begin the healing process. This is normal and is for a brief period of time while your body is doing some rebuilding work.
There’s A Difference
There are two types of inflammation: there is acute inflammation and chronic inflammation.
The above examples of the stubbed toe or injured thumb are acute inflammation and are normal, natural, and are a perfect example of our body’s innate immune system response.
Another example is when you get a bad cold–you get a stuffy nose, cough up crud and have a fever–your body is doing its job to heal itself from the virus or bacteria and heal itself.
Chronic Inflammation Is Different
Chronic inflammation can be silent or it can have symptoms. In any case, it’s something no one wants because it sidelines your health and robs you of your vibrancy.
This is the case of inflammation not being able to turn itself off. It’s being provoked (more on that later) and essentially, stays “lit up” in your body.
The Many Symptoms of Inflammation
As I said, inflammation can be silent or have symptoms.
Your lungs, liver, and spleen for example don’t have very many nerve endings so the feeling of pain may not be felt, even if inflammation is present.
That said, chronic inflammation is well known by arthritis sufferers–joints swell and are uncomfortable and even painful.
How do you know if you’ve got inflammation happening? Here’s a partial list of symptoms:
*fatigue (and brain fog)
*skin blemishes and rashes
*bloating (rings are tight)
*aches and pains everywhere
*joint swelling and pain
*fever
*mouth sores
What Causes Chronic Inflammation?
No surprise, a poor diet is first and foremost the biggest issue.
But even if your diet is on point and you’re seemingly doing everything “right”, you can still be lit up like a Christmas tree so finding out if you have food sensitivities is important–that’s what it was for me and the culprit was dairy and gluten.
As someone who has lived through rosacea, plantar fasciitis, and thyroid nodules and was absolutely miserable, caught up in a lot of pain, frustration, weight gain, bloating, and all the rest, I was willing to do anything.
Including giving up bread, pasta, and cheese.
It worked–my life completely changed and I was able to lose the inflammation and consequently, the weight.
Added to that equation was learning to handle my stress. Stress can throw you down an inflammatory hole and pile on with depression and hopelessness. It’s pretty bleak when you’re wracked with pain, inflammation, and depression.
Learning to meditate, pray and journal was part of the solution and helped me handle the stress of my life.
Being sedentary is also a risk factor for inflammation, but so is overexercising. Finding the Goldilocks Zone (it’s just right) for you is important–the “it’s gotta hurt” kind of exercise doesn’t do you any favors whatsoever…find your thing and stay consistent.
I also weighed 237 pounds and was technically obese. I hate that word, but that’s what I saw written on my medical chart at the doctor’s office. Losing weight helped ease the inflammation big time–excess weight produces inflammatory cytokines in your body which in turn can create a state of long-term low-grade inflammation.
There are other things too like exposure to chemicals (take a look at what’s under your sink in your bathroom and your kitchen) and pollution.
And Then There’s Leaky Gut
In essence, a leaky gut is a gut with a compromised barrier. Food particles leak into your abdominal cavity causing inflammation and a possible immune response.
When you’re out of balance as well and your bad bacteria is winning the war over the good bacteria, you’ve got double trouble.
Healing your gut starts with lots of bone broth and l-glutamine as well as removing the culprits that are causing the problems: stress, food sensitivities, junk food, and sugar.
The Foundational Fix: An Anti-Inflammatory Diet
An anti-inflammatory diet is crucial and from my experience as a nutritionist for over 25 years, it’s a game-changer for so many.
Toss the sugar, say no to the drive-thru, clear the pantry of processed foods, hydrogenated oils, and seed oils like cottonseed, soy, and peanut oils.
Kick gluten-containing products to the curb–flour, rolls, bread, crackers, and pastas all have gluten and do your body zero good.
And how about that dairy? It could be the problem–do a trial of 2 weeks and just pull it out entirely. See how you do–I know, I know…your cheese. But listen…if that’s the offender, it is well worth the pain of giving it up!
I have a 7-day plan to show you the whys and wherefores and how-tos of an anti-inflammatory plan–it’s right here on the site–go grab it and tell me later how much better you feel. It’s the Hot Melt Sprint and I’ve put thousands of women through the program with astounding results.
It’s free–go grab it here: The Hot Melt Sprint
The Supplemental Fix: Supplements that WORK
Curcumin is nature’s anti-inflammatory.
There are over 12,000 studies on the efficacy of curcumin as an anti-inflammatory. As a matter of fact, this newest study* gives curcumin its due for dealing with osteoarthritis.
Our InflaCrusher 2.0 is pharmaceutical-grade curcumin that works on that inflammation and may even help in the weight loss battle–this is a “side effect” of taking the supplement!
Accordingly, if you’re going to go all in and take this leaky gut business seriously, you need to get familiar with collagen (we have our Perfect Paleo Protein to help you with that) as well as a good probiotic (check out our ProActive Probiotic).
And let’s remember–supplements are just that—supplemental.
You cannot out supplement an unhealthy diet–get your diet in order, handle your stress, take some quality supplements (outlined above), and move your body.
Your body’s ability to heal is incredible–give it what it needs and let it do the rest!
Curcumin, one of the most studied and researched compounds in recent years, is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. If you haven’t tried InflaCrusher yet, check it out here!
*https://trialsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13063-019-3327-2
6 Responses
This is all fine & dandy, I’ve pretty much done all these things for at least a yr & am still plagued by diarrhea, gassy ness, mild pain and exhaustions. So what’s other things that will help because I’m tired of dealing with it (it’s been 5yrs) of this crap (yep pun intended). My integrated dr and family physician haven’t helped pretty much at all. Oh I don’t have weight issues I’m only 85lbs, 4’10”
I’m not a doctor, just a nutritionist! But if it were me, I’d start with a food sensitivity test, keep an extremely detailed food journal and start connecting the dots. So sorry you’re dealing with this Linda!
I have type 2 kidney disease (from taking too many anti-inflammatories for back pain). Is this product safe for kidneys?
I would definitely check with your doc Cheryl! 🙂
How do I even know if I have inflammation? I think I eat healthy as I was taught. I do eat meat, potatoes, vegatables, fruits, a balanced diet. I would like to give up sugar, and processed foods, it just seems like such a daunting task. I don’t even know where to begin. I am 63 and I have been overweight most of my life. I finally went to the doctor and he gave me some medication which has helped me reduce 30 pounds. However this is not permanent I can’t be on this forever and I am stalled now. I really am at a loss as to what to do. Any information you can provide I will be most grateful for. Thank you
Pat, have you seen the Hot Melt Sprint? It’s a FREE program and it addresses every single issue you’re dealing with, including the giving up of processed foods and creating a baseline from which to live your life. STRONGLY suggest you attend the webinar, http://savingdinner.com/sprint to sign up!