You may have heard about Inflammation, but do you really know what it means? Is it a good or a bad thing? Or, if it's a bad thing, how can you reduce it naturally?
According to Maria Borelius, biologist and author of the Health Revolution, your body has an inflammatory system that can respond to trauma and infection. Inflammation is a natural process that helps your body heal and defends itself from harm. It is your body's way of protecting itself from infection, illness, or injury. When your inflammatory system responds to these conditions, your body increases its production of white blood cells, immune cells, and substances called cytokines. Sounds fantastic, right? But wait...
Inflammation can also be harmful when it becomes chronic.
Chronic inflammation may last for weeks, months, or years — and may lead to various risks to your health. One article published by Parsley Health has discussed that chronic inflammation may occur when the immune system is trying to fend off an infection or when the immune system becomes confused. An example of this is when someone who has antibodies to gluten also has attacks on other parts of the body that resemble gluten. Therefore, inflammation in the body can be a bad thing.
So how do we help reduce this from happening in our body? Many health experts suggest easy and natural ways. Take a look at the list below to see which points may help to reduce inflammation for you!
Always ensure to keep a package or two of leafy greens on hand to toss in your lunch bag or on your dinner plate. Eating leafy greens such as baby spinach, arugula, kale, or lettuce each day is one of the most beneficial diet habits you can adopt. These leafy greens offer anti-inflammatory properties which may be helpful to your health. Furthermore, they contain antioxidants and bioactive compounds that may reduce inflammation and help in stopping free radicals from creating new inflammation in the body.
Many research has suggested that a diet high in sugar might be a key factor contributing to inflammation. Sugar stimulates the production of free fatty acids in the liver. When the body digests these free fatty acids, the resulting compounds can trigger inflammatory processes. Too much sugar may also cause weight gain, which leads to excess body fat, which may then lead to insulin resistance. The result? You guessed it right: inflammation.
Sleep has a powerful, dual role to play in this complex interaction with stress and inflammation. It is believed that people who sleep poorly or do not get enough sleep may have higher chances of experiencing inflammation. Without sleep, the brain's nerve cells cannot recharge, and the bodies cannot replenish the energy lost during the day. On the contrary, getting better quality sleep might work directly to keep inflammation in check through the pro-inflammatory activities that typically occur in the presence of poor, dysregulated sleep. One should take note that quality sleep may offer us significant protection against stress, which can be a significant contributor to inflammation.
The University of California San Diego School of Medicine suggested that 20-30 minutes of exercise may reduce inflammation in the body. In the same study, the researchers revealed that a 20-minute exercise session resulted in a five percent decrease in the number of immune cells that produced a TNF protein, a protein involved in the body's inflammatory response. So, if you're struggling to find a suitable exercise routine for yourself, perhaps going for a walk is the best way for you. It is one of the most easily accessible ways to get exercise into your day.
A study conducted by researchers from Penn State about the potential link of spices to reducing inflammation. The specific research has revealed that combining herbs and spices helped reduce the participants’ inflammation following decadent meals. The dish with the most spices correlated with the lowest inflammatory response. This is according to the recently-published study in The Journal of Nutrition. Some health experts recommend spice combinations of basil, bay leaf, black pepper, cinnamon, coriander, cumin, ginger, oregano, parsley, red pepper, rosemary, thyme, and turmeric to be incorporated into meals of the day.
High amounts of alcohol consumption can lead to severe problems. Heavy drinking over an extended period causes several body changes, especially to our digestive functions. When someone excessively takes alcohol, there is an increase in the production of endotoxins in the gut, promoting inflammation. When our intestinal barrier weakens, we allow harmful bacteria and endotoxins to pass from the stomach into the bloodstream, spreading to different organs. It also inhibits the body's immune response by suppressing key molecules and cells and impairing essential organs' functions and interactions. To reduce the chances of alcohol-related health problems in the future, health experts recommend avoiding alcoholic drinks.
Our digestive system plays an essential role in reducing inflammation in our bodies. Taking care of digestive health encompasses different aspects, including but not limited to, food intake, nutrition, diet programs, and even stress.
It is recommended to reduce your intake of highly processed foods, refined carbs, sugar, artificial sweeteners, and alcohol. Instead, try incorporating anti-inflammatory foods in your daily meals such as fruits, vegetables, spices, and healthy fats. It is also suggested to manage your stress and anxiety as it can link to our gut status. Try your best to find activities that can help you relax, even for just a few minutes. Whether it’s meditation, a bubble bath, going for a walk, yoga, or as simple as taking some deep breaths, these practices are fundamental to long-term health. By doing these, we may be able to manage our gastrointestinal functions better.
Speaking about digestive health, have you thought about taking a Probiotic supplement. Probiotics are believed to help promote healthy gut bacteria and fight harmful gut bacteria. Thus, this may also help reduce inflammation in the body.
Nature’s Branch 50 Billion Probiotics come in one-a-day, easy to swallow capsules formulated to help boost the immune system. They contain 15 scientifically researched strains and also come with a prebiotic fiber to maximize absorption in the stomach, perfect for healthy gut balance. Our Probiotics are third-party tested and proudly manufactured in the United States to ensure potency, quality, and safety. Click below and find out more about our Probiotic today!
Comments will be approved before showing up.
Christmas is around the corner. And what’s exciting about this joyous season of the year? GIFTS! They say ‘tis the season for a little holiday indulgence, but what about thinking of ways to take care of your loved ones? With the global situation that the world is facing right now, many people are focusing on ways to live a healthier lifestyle. As the old saying goes, the best gift is the gift of health! So what supplements are you stocking up on this year? This blog aims to help you decide on the perfect holiday gift!
As we age, some parts of our body may become susceptible to pains and inflammation. Most common of which are joints. Our joints serve as a form of the connections between our bones. They provide support and help us move. Any damage to our joints may interfere with our movement and cause a lot of pain. Joint pain can range from mildly irritating to debilitating. At the most extent, it may affect our daily body functions.
The pandemic that the world is currently experiencing calls for more emphasis on how we should take care of our overall health. We have long been made aware that we should eat healthy foods, improve our hygiene, boost our immune system, and follow health protocols. Research has suggested that COVID-19 may have certain effects on the body, some of which may include the primary target of the virus, which is our respiratory system. So we decided to research many foods that may be helpful for supporting lung health. Here are ten (10) recommended healthy superfoods that you may want to consider including in your diet:
Nature's Branch Support
Author