How to Reduce Chronic Inflammation in Your Body

Arthritis, Bursitis, Tendonitis, Plantar Fasciitis, Colitis, Dermatitis, Pancreatitis, Appendicitis, Sinusitis - what do all of these conditions have in common? Because they end with the suffix "itis" they are all a sign of inflammation in your system. Sometimes inflammation is just a sign or overuse or wear and tear, but sometimes something in the immune system has gone awry provoking widespread and varied and sometimes very debilitating inflammatory issues. So let's take a look at the factors that influence inflammation and either throw off or keep the immune system on track.

1. Food allergies - numero uno on my list if someone is showing signs of an inflammatory condition is to assess and remove food allergies from their diet. Almost everyone has food allergies - in testing over 500 patients all but 3 have had food allergies. Most people have no idea they do because the symptoms of some food allergies can be delayed and subtle, not every food allergy is as dramatic or life-threatening as a peanut allergy. Allergies that are mediated by IgG antibodies can cause such wide and varied symptoms as constipation, diarrhea, bloating, gas, sinus congestion, joint pain, headaches, fatigue, skin rashes, eczema, psoriasis, acne, sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, and itchy mouth/nose/ears. Eating something you are allergic to strains your immune system and provokes excessive inflammation.


2. The digestive tract - overgrowth of unhealthy bacteria or yeast in the digestive tract can create a damaged/inflamed digestive tract. This in turn means the immune system isn't working properly since 70-80% of your immune system is located around your digestive tract. This unhealthy environment and possible lack of good bacteria, referred to as probiotic bacteria, can create an imbalance in the immune system, provoking more inflammation. It also causes the gut to be more leaky, allowing poorly digestive food entry into the body where the immune system can encounter it, generating more food allergies and inflammation.


3. Adrenal exhaustion or adrenal fatigue - adrenals are your stress glands. They help your body deal with stress along with many other functions including: regulate blood pressure, regulate blood sugar, help with hormone balance, give you energy, drive and motivation, they are also your body's source of corticosteroids. Corticosteroids are powerful anti-inflammatories. They are sometimes given as a drug to address inflammatory conditions in the form of prednisone or corticosteroid puffers or nasal sprays. Supporting your adrenal glands can repair the body's ability to manufacture it's own corticosteroids, reducing the need for external intake.


4. Lack of vitamin C and vitamin B6 - both are natural anti-histamines. If they get depleted you will be more prone to allergies and the inflammation associated with it.


5. Lack of Omega 3 fatty acids - Our diets tend to be heavy in Omega 6 fatty acids and proportionately light in Omega 3's. The most efficient way to get omega 3's is from fish oil, either through consuming fish 2-3 times per week or by supplementing with fish oil.


6. Obesity - Aside from the fact that being overweight puts an extra strain on the joints, tendons and ligaments which can provoke inflammation of the joints, tendons or ligaments, obesity itself causes a chronic, systemic inflammation. This inflammation has been linked to the development of insulin resistance and type II diabetes.

Now you can suppress inflammation using anti-inflammatory medications such as NSAIDs or prednisone, but these are often accompanied by significant risks and side effects such as bleeding stomach ulcers, increased risk of heart attack or stroke and osteoporosis. They also don't address the underlying cause of the inflammation. Fixing the underlying cause helps relieve symptoms on a more permanent basis, without the side effects and allows your body to heal.