The Truth About Inflammation

Chronic inflammation has become more prevalent over the years and is linked to a number of diseases. That is why this month I will be sharing with you lifestyle changes that will help you to reduce your risks.

Let’s start this week by defining 

inflammation. Inflammation is the body’s first line of defense against harm. It is the body's attempt at self-protection to begin the healing process. This process is called acute inflammation. However, Long-term inflammation lasting for prolonged periods of several months to years is called chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation can eventually cause several diseases and conditions, including some cancers, autoimmune disorders, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Simply put – this harmful inflammation is the “mortal enemy” of your health. It can damage your heart and brain, throw your digestive system completely out of whack, make your joints stiff and achy, and even ruin the color and texture of your skin. More and more scientific research is clearly showing that silent inflammation is the common link that fast-tracks aging and makes us look and feel old before our time. 

Many diseases have been attributed to chronic inflammation. Some examples include Asthma, Cancer, Heart disease, Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Obesity, Periodontitis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Sinusitis, Type 2 diabetes, Ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and other autoimmune disorders.

So reducing silent inflammation throughout your body may be the single most important thing you can do on a daily basis to look and feel your best.

Let’s take a deeper look into the ugly side of chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation can result from the following: ​

• When the body fails to eliminate the cause of acute inflammation, such as infectious organisms, fungi, and other parasites, the harmful agent remains in the affected tissue. 

• Exposure to a low level of a particular irritant or foreign material, including substances or industrial chemical, that cannot be eliminated. This includes pesticides found in your food and other chemicals found in water and cosmetics products.

• An autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks healthy tissue. 

• Biochemical inducers leading to excess oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and increased production of free radical molecules. 

• Chronic stress and anxiety. Click here to check out my stress management herbal supplements

Numerous risk factors have been identified that promote a low-level inflammatory response. These include age, obesity, diet, smoking, low sex hormones, stress, and sleep Disorders. Can you think of what most of these risk factors have in common?

The risk factors (besides age) are controllable through lifestyle changes! ​

That is why I will spend the remainder of this month discussing some ways to prevent chronic inflammation.

Remember, I'm always here to help. Email me at Toni@drToniCamacho.com with your questions about inflammation and Click here to listen to my radio show for FREE.

Happy Sunday!
Toni