Inflammation & How to Avoid It
Tuesday 07/5/2022
What is Inflammation?
Your body wants to defend itself against an abnormal irritant or injury. When it detects that something isn’t quite right, your immune system is activated to fight it. This is when inflammation can occur.
Some common symptoms of inflammation are:
- Redness
- Feeling hot
- Swelling
- Joint Pain or Stiffness
- Headaches
- Lack of Energy
- Lack of Appetite
- Stiff muscles
- Fever or Chills
If you are experiencing inflammation, you will probably notice a few of these symptoms. In mild cases of acute inflammation, it may be short-lived irritation lasting days to weeks. However, chronic inflammation does exist, and can last for months, even years. This can be a sign of deeper autoimmune issues.
Avoiding & Treating Inflammation
A first step to addressing inflammation can be checking your lifestyle and dietary habits. Avoid foods that could trigger inflammation, such as excessive sugars, fried foods, refined carbohydrates such as white bread, and red/processed meats. Instead, try implementing anti-inflammatory foods such as olive oil, fatty fish, avocados, berries, greens, and more.
Lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, stress, or too little/too much physical activity can also play a role. Consider how these might be playing a factor if you experience inflammation.
Taking the right supplements can be a game changer. We’ve shared about the importance of Vitamin D in many areas, and low levels have been linked to inflammation. Taking Vitamin D regularly can help your immune system strengthen its fight against inflammation.
Fish oil also fights inflammation and is great for the heart and brain. Other supplements like vitamin C, probiotics, zinc, and magnesium can all contribute to your body’s overall health and immune system. View our available supplements and be sure to ask your doctor about what to take for your specific needs.
If you continue to feel symptoms of inflammation, it’s time to speak to a doctor. Talking to a medical professional can help you investigate the root cause of your symptoms, and whether you should be checked for a chronic issue or autoimmune condition. We are happy to help – give us a call or schedule an appointment today if inflammation is taking a toll on your everyday life.