Inflammation is a normal process which allows the body to fight off infections on its own. When kept under control, it protects the body from viral and bacterial invaders. Once it finishes its’job’, the body goes back to normal and the inflammation declines.
The problem arises when we are constantly exposed to injuries through stress and foods that the bodies are not able to process, such as refined grains, sugar, and trans-fats.
Public Enemy #1: Stress
While stress has been long known to cause great damage to both the mind and the body, a research from Carnegie Mellon published this month shows that the link between stress and inflammation is much stronger.
Cortisol, a stress hormone, is designed to be released in case of any stressful situation. It is in charge of the natural ‘fight or flight’ response.
Unfortunately, these days the stressors are much more serious due to the tight schedules and time-constrained daily regimens. In case of chronic stress, the effectiveness of cortisol in keeping inflammation in check is diminished. Tissues become particularly prone to the effects of this hormone, which leads to excessive inflammation. Simply put, another cycle results in the development and progression of the disease.
Public Enemy #2: Standard American Diet
According to a recent article by Dr. Dwight Lundell, a well-respected heart surgeon, “the overload of simple, highly processed carbohydrates (sugar, flour and all the products made from them) and the excess consumption of omega-6 vegetable oils like soybean, corn, and sunflower that are found in many processed foods.”
When eating simple carbohydrates like white sugar and flour, the blood sugar spikes. This increases the secretion of insulin, whose role is to keep blood sugar into healthy ranges.
Spiking the blood sugar a few times daily makes one insulin-resistant and it also “like taking sandpaper to the inside of your delicate blood vessels.” At this point, inflammation occurs.
Although omega-6 fats are important, the correct balance with omega-3 fats is even more important. A 3:1 ratio (omega-6s vs omega-3s) is ideal, but due to the American Standard Diet, the imbalances can go up to 30:1.
Such an imbalance causes the cells to produce cytokines, chemicals which are directly linked to inflammation. The burden that many people carry from these foods creates a cycle of fat cells secreting cytokines in response to constantly increased blood sugar. Over time, this creates the perfect conditions for the development of diseases like diabetes, Alzheimer’s, hypertension, and heart disease.
Turn Back The Clock
First, find some activity that helps you relax and relieve stress, and stick to it. Whether it`s meditation, yoga, or exercise, you need to find an outlet for stress relief.
Then, eliminate processed and low-fat foods, and swap them for nutrient-dense fruits and veggies, whole grains and healthy fats, grass-fed fairy and real butter, and high protein sources from pasture-raised pork and poultry and wild caught fish.
source: http://besthealthyguide.com
