Whether you realized or not, you have experienced inflammation in some form ““ perhaps as sunburn, a head cold or an infected cut. Inflammation is one of our body’s many amazing methods of self-preservation, and acute inflammation protects and heals the body after an injury or infection. It is a normal response that sends increased blood flow filled with germ-fighting cells to an area and triggers other healing responses to occur simultaneously.
Unfortunately, many of us have also experienced chronic inflammation that can manifest as autoimmune disorders like psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease. New research is leading scientists to believe that cardiac disease, cancer and other major illnesses may also be linked to chronic inflammation as well.
If the research is accurate, what can we do to decrease and perhaps prevent the inflammatory response from becoming chronic? Following is what we know for sure:
- Avoid things that cause inflammation, such as cigarette smoke, air pollution and over-exposure to the sun
- Exercise to keep the body mobile and physically fit
- Maintain an anti-inflammatory nutrition regimen
Anti-inflammatory nutrition choices and the Mediterranean food choices are much alike. As more is understood about the process of chronic inflammation, modifications and new recommendations will be made. In the meantime, do what is within your control to minimize the chronic inflammation response in your body.
