Inflammation is a natural process when we get hurt and is initially beneficial when, for example, your low back hurts and is swollen from working it too hard or an ankle sprain. However, inflammation can be a bad thing if it is a low grade inflammation throughout the whole body and research proves that almost everyone has some form of chronic low grade inflammation in their bodies. Slow recovery from heavy work or exercise. Back and neck pain. Male prostate issues. Female hormone imbalances and early Menopause. Bloating, lack of energy and focus, inability to maintain a healthy weight, diabetes, heart disease, bowel inflammatory diseases, allergies, cancers, chronic pain. ADD/ ADHD, peripheral neuropathy, migraines, macular degeneration, thyroid issues and even subluxations arc all small examples of conditions and daily nuisances that can be caused by chronic low grade inflammation in the body. Even the United States Centers for Disease Control has come out and stated that of the ten leading causes of mortality in the United States, chronic, low-lcvcl inflammation contributes to the pathogencsis of at least seven. These include heart disease, cancer, chronic lower respiratory disease, stroke. Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, and nephritis. What Causes Low Grade Inflammation Throughout the Whole Body? Some causes include: Excess body fat especially around the belly. High caloric meals. Obesity. Smoking. Alcohol. Excessive stress. Lack of sleep and a Lack of antioxidants (less than 8 servings of fmits and vegetables daily). Research shows that one of the biggest causes of inflammation is the Non-digestion of foods. Inflammation is occurring in almost even individual at some level. The higher the level. the increased risk for disease. The Answer to Inflammations Damaging Effects Specific blood and urine inflammatory markers have been tested creating an inflammatory index. The research is clear that certain lifestyle choices and nutrient intakes cither inflame the system or have an anti-inflammatory effect lowering the risk of disease. Top ten worst foods/habits that create chronic inflammation 1. Eating too much food / Poor digestion When men and women lose excess body fat. inflammation-markers fall. Non-digestion of foods is the quickest cause of inflammation because the body immediately attacks the non-digested food causing an inflammatory response. 2. Processed white Hour products A 2010 study found that a diet high in refined grains led to a greater concentration of inflammation in the blood, while a diet high in whole grains resulted in lower inflammation markers. 3. Sugar Sugar in the form of candies, sodas and com syrup raise blood sugar which creates a huge inflammatory response. When blood sugar is high, the body generates more free radicals. Free radicals inflame the lining of the blood vessels leading to the heart. 4. Fried foods Fried foods create a neurotoxin chemical called acrylamide. which causes extreme inflammation. 5. Animal Meat and Purinc-ladcn Proteins A new study out of the USC shows that a high animal based protein diet can increase your risk of cancer 400%. Cancer is probably the most inflammatory disease known. The problem is the acidity and purinc content from animal meats and the protein structure being hard to digest. Make sure you take a strong plant digestive enzyme supplement containing proteases and peptidascs to guarantee full digestion of the meat. Genetically Many Scientists and Doctors worldwide have come to the same conclusion after reviewing thousand's of studies and ground breaking new research just released on disease and aging. We know that most -perhaps all ~ chronic diseases including aging have the same trigger; inflammation. It is now clear that the destructive capacity of chronic inflammation is unprecedented among physiologic processes (Karin et al. 2006 Accessed 2014). altered grains contain hard to digest purine proteins called gluten that can cause inflammation if not digested. 6. Nitrates Nitrates are chemicals found in deli meats and most sausages including most bacon. Nitrates are a cancer-causing chemical that causes inflammation. 7. Alcohol The Mayo clinic and others have shown that inflammatory markers are very high when alcohol is consumed versus not. 8. Soda Carbonated beverages contain phosphoric or carbonic acid. This acid inflames the body. In addition, sodas contain cither sugar or worse yet synthetic sweeteners like aspartamc. Both types of sugars increase inflammation. 9. Additives/food coloring/preser vatives Additives.colors and preservatives cause oxidativc damage to our cells. These free radicals from these chemicals tear at our cells causing inflammation. A few names to look to avoid arc: Monosodium Glutamatc (MSG). sulfitcs. benzoates. and colors named FD&C #""X." 10. Lack of sleep and too much stress Lack of Sleep - losing sleep for even part of one night can trigger the key cellular pathway that produces tissue-damaging inflammation according to new research. Stress - Researchers found that chronic stress changes gene activity of immune cells before they enter the blood-stream leading to increased inflammation. Top 10 Anti-inflammatory choices 1. Vegetables & Fruits that have high antioxidant and phytonutricnt levels. There are 5 main free radicals that cause inflammation and it takes a mixture of high antioxidant fniits and vegetables to ensure the inflaming oxidation of your cells is stopped. Research is very clear that it takes 10 servings a day of high antioxidant and phytonutricnt rich fniits and vegetables a day to get rid of inflammation. The top fruits and vegetables are: Dark cherries. Blueberries. Raspberries. Strawberries. Kale. Broccoli sprouts. Spinach. Cranberries. Sweet potatoes. Onions. Pineapples and Carrots. Remember though that any fniits and vegetables can be beneficial so cat up. Antioxidant potency is rated and the average American gets 1.200 units a day according to the USD A. 2. Salmon Salmon is an excellent source of EPA (eicosapentacnoic acid) and DHA (docosahexacnoic acid), that douse inflammation. Include some oily fish such as wild Alaskan salmon twice a week. Additional choices: Anchovies, mackerel and sardines. 3. Olive Oil Extra Virgin olive oil has a rich supply of polyphcnols that protect the heart and blood vessels from inflammation. Look for the harvest date. Remember that olive oil is the opposite of wine. It is not meant to age. 4. Plant enzymes (Proteases & Peptidases) Research shows that plant enzymes specifically cultivated for their anti-inflammatory benefits work great. These enzymes arc named Proteases and Peptidases. It is important to make sure the label lists enzymes (Bromclaia Papain. Protease and Pcptidasc) along with minerals to activate them. NOTE ON ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ENZYME RESEARCH; Numerous published studies prove that proteolytic enzymes reduce inflammation as fast as NSAIDs. but far more importantly, they speed up the healing process faster than the dnigs themselves. A study that proved this on a specific product called "Optimal Acute" was performed at the University of Alberta. Three groups of athletes were used in the study. When injuries occurred, one group took dnig-based anti-infiammatories (NSAIDs). another group took nothing (placebo), and the final group took a specific blend of plant-based enzymes. Below arc the graphs depicting the important results from the study. Graph # 1 shows the time it took for injury-caused swelling (inflammation) to go down amongst the three groups. Graph #1 - Acute "Enzymes" Inflammation and Swelling Both the NSAID group and the proteolytic enzyme blend group reduced swelling faster than not taking anything. The 'bad' prostaglandins were reduced both with NSAIDs and the enz> me fonnula when taken orally. The University of Alberta study shows that enzymes reduces swelling just as well as NSAIDs. Graph #2 - Depicts the time it took for the stud} participants" tissues (muscles and tendons) to fully heal. The Acute Fonnula Group helped "heal" the damaged tissue 200 percent faster than the NSAID group. 5. Raw Nuts Nuts contain specific fatty acids that squelch the inflammatory fires that rage in our bodies. Almonds and Walnuts are a rich source of fatty acids that create two omcga-3 fatty acids that help to calm the inflammation. Flax seeds. Macadamia nuts. Hazelnuts and Pecans arc great choices also. 6. Herbs & Spices There arc a number of spices and herbs tliat show extremely good anti-inflammatory benefits. Green Tea contains a natural antioxidant called epigallocatcchin-3 gallatc (EGCG) not found in black tea tliat stops the production of certain inflammatory chemicals in the body. Turmeric. Cinnamon. Garlic. Basil. Orcgano and Ginger arc favorites because they diminish inflammation and have scientific studies proving such. 7. Dark chocolate This is a favorite health)- choice. 'Good' stomach bacteria break down chocolate and turn it into heart healthy anti-inflammatory compounds. 8. More sleep Getting 7-8 hours of good sound sleep a night reduces inflammation and interrupting that by more than an hour or two increases it. Remember that prescription dnigs arc designed to force sleep. To learn more about sleeping and safe nutrients that help you sleep, call OHS at 1-800-890-4547 for a great report. 9. Whole body exercise and stretching Although excess exercising and serious muscle building can cause inflammation in the moment, a good sound exercise program actually reduces long term inflammation. 10. Micronutricnts Certain micronutricnts have tremendous research associated with them showing their ability to lower inflammation or prevent it from happening in the first place. Here is a list of the top research proven ones. Antioxidants and Proteolytic enzymes These nutrients arc the kings of reducing inflammatory reactions in the body and have loads of scientific research.* Additional Nutrients Know to be Beneficial Vitamin D Vitamin D exerts anti-inflammatory activity by the suppression of pro-inflammatory prostaglandins. Make sure and use a whole food vitamin D. CoQIO Supporting mitochondrial integrity alleviates the systemic oxidativc inflammation. Cocnzymc Q10 (CoQIO) and Vitamin D are powerful mitochondrial protectants. CONCLUSION Chronic low grade inflammation is the "Silent Killcf.Thou-sands of new research studies on many different diseases have all led to the same conclusion that cellular inflammation cither causes or seriously increases disease and aging in the body. Major studies have also identified the main inflammatory markers of foods and lifestyle that create inflammation and the things we can do to eliminate it. Follow the recommendations from this article by focusing on a happy attitude about life, a clean diet, exercise and supplying the body with the right nutrients. A more complete booklet is available for your patients. Mention this article and receive 12 customized booklets with your clinics name on it. Doug Grant is the researcher & formulator for Optimal Health Systems. LLC. is a nutritionist specializing in organic chemistries. With 6 International Certifications, he has been the nutritional consultant for many professional teams including the NBA World Champions, been instrumental in getting chiropractors on teams staff and has sat on naluropalhic college boards overseeing research on whole food supplements. For more information, or a free report call 1-800-890-4547.
