What is inflammation?

Inflammation is defined as "redness, swelling, pain, tenderness, heat, and disturbed function of an area of the body, especially as a reaction of tissues to injurious agents."  In other words, our immune system responds to injury, infection, or acute illness through the inflammatory process which involves white blood cells, chemicals, and antibodies.  Acutely, this response helps us survive.  If, however, the inflammation becomes chronic, the vital balance between inflammation being turned on and off is disrupted, and can be the underlying cause of several diseases such as:

•     Coronary artery disease
•     Alzheimer's disease
•     Autoimmune disease (arthritis, asthma, lupus, and multiple sclerosis)

As we age, our body's ability to shut off the inflammatory process decreases, leading to chronic inflammation.  Chronic inflammation can also occur in people who are obese, eat unhealthily, or have an unhealthy lifestyle.  If the inflammation persists, inflammation of the brain, blood vessels, joints, and other organs occurs, causing an increased risk of:

•     Dementia
•     Heart attack
•     Stroke
•     Arthritis

What causes inflammation?

Inflammatory foods, which contain high levels of arachidonic acid, increase inflammation.  Read about our recommended anti-inflammatory diet here.  In addition, our environment, lifestyle, lack of sleep, and age all contribute to increasing the risk for developing chronic inflammation.  Our bodies, under these influences, increase production of harmful proteins, which cause inflammation of tissues.  More specifically, chronic inflammation can be caused by:

•     Excess fat mass
•     Stress
•     Depression
•     Infection
•     High glucose levels
•     High insulin levels
•     Declining hormone levels as we age
•     Lack of exercise
•     Elevated homocysteine levels (increase the levels of inflammatory proteins)

How do you know your body has too much inflammation?

The most important indicator of excessive inflammation is called C-reactive protein, or CRP.  CRPs are produced in the liver during acute inflammation.  When your body turns off the inflammatory response, CRP decrease back to normal.  If the body has factors causing chronic inflammation as explained above, CRP levels will remain elevated.  High CRP levels increase the risk of:

•     Heart attack
•     Stroke
•     Cancer
•     Spread of existing cancers
•     Macular degeneration
•     Diabetes

What can I do to decrease the inflammatory process?

Eat non-inflammatory foods, exercise regularly, take appropriate vitamins and supplements including fish oil, managing stress, and get plenty of sleep.  By doing these things you can significantly reduce your risk of developing chronic inflammation and chronic disease that may follow.