The Raw Road to Health & Happiness

When the body is hurt, inflammation is the hero. It rushes to the injury with blood full of healing immune cells and ferrets out the infection and disease. However, when the inflammation response is in error, and the inflammation begins attacking healthy cells, that is chronic inflammation. And that is trouble.

Many diseases are thought to be symptomatic of chronic inflammation: heart failure, cancer, arthritis, allergy, chronic fatigue and depression, to name a few.

A poor diet is the main cause of chronic inflammation. The acronym SAD, horrifically, stands for the Standard American Diet, and this is the root of so many health problems. Specifically, it means too much processed food, too much trans fat, too much sugar (cane, fructose, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup), too much corn oil and far too many calories.

The body is further aggravated by environmental toxins. Tobacco smoke, cleaning chemicals, chlorinated water, antibiotics, recreational drugs, alcohol – all of these things signal the body’s inflammation response to turn on and stay on.

There are many natural ways to combat chronic inflammation. As poor diet is the main cause of the damage, diet is the main way to calm chronic inflammation and heal the body. It is the darkly colored fruits and vegetables that have the biggest health benefit. In this instance, it is flavonoids called anthocyanins that calm the inflammation.

Ginger is a powerful anti-inflammatory. Herbs are also used to calm inflammation. These herbs are often made into teas, or they are taken as essential oil drops or supplement capsules. Some of these herbs are birch, cat’s claw, oregano and rosemary. There are many other herbs and supplements that combat chronic inflammation, and a local health food store is a good source of information about these.

Another natural cure for chronic inflammation is regular exercise. Exercise is important for a healthy weight. Exercise also releases the anti-inflammatory chemicals of the body and reduces stress. Stress is a big factor in chronic inflammation. Any healthy activity that lessens stress and depression is an effective, natural way to combat chronic inflammation.