Chronic inflammation can be caused by a wide range of things, but there are some home remedies, which may help, including an anti-inflammatory diet.
What is Inflammation?
Inflammation is part of the body’s natural defence mechanisms. It helps to recognise and remove any harmful substances in the body and begin the healing process. If your body is agitated or suffering from an injury, your immune system may activate this response.
There are two different kinds of inflammation, this is acute inflammation and chronic inflammation, but what’s the difference?
Acute Inflammation:
Acute inflammation is the response to sudden body damage, such as a small cut. Your body will send inflammatory cells to the injury to start the healing process.
Chronic Inflammation:
Chronic inflammation is when your body continues to send inflammatory cells to parts of the body when there is no injury.
What are the symptoms of inflammation?
Acute Inflammation can cause flushed skin at the injury, pain or swelling, and heat. Chronic inflammation includes different symptoms, which may be harder to identify, for example:
- Abdominal pain
- Chest pain
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Joint pain or stiffness
- Mouth sores
- Skin rash
What Causes Inflammation?
The symptoms you will experience will depend on the cause of the chronic inflammation. There are a range of diseases which can cause chronic inflammation, these include:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Asthma
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
- Cancer
- Heart Disease
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Autoimmune disorders like Lupus
Other causes include exposure to toxins, pollutants and chemicals, and untreated acute inflammation, such as an infection or injury. Lifestyle factors also play a part in inflammation, for example a high body mass index (BMI), smoking, drinking too much alcohol, chronic stress and exercising too frequently or not enough can all lead to inflammation.
How can I Treat Inflammation?
Acute inflammation can be treated with rest and ice. Chronic inflammation can be treated with supplements, NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, and steroid injections to decrease inflammation at a specific joint or muscle. There are some at home remedies, which may help to treat chronic inflammation, such as an anti-inflammatory diet.
What is an anti-inflammatory diet?
If you are wondering what the best anti-inflammatory foods are to implement into your diet, you may want to consider increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables you eat.
- Berries
Berries, such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries, are high in fibre, vitamins and minerals. They also contain antioxidants, which have anti-inflammatory effects.
- Cherries
Cherries are also rich in antioxidants, which decreases inflammations.
- Fatty fish
Fatty fish are a great source of protein and contain Omega-3. Omega-3 is a great source for reducing inflammation. The best fatty fish are salmon, sardines, mackerel, anchovies, and herring.
- Avocado
Avocados are a ‘super food.’ They contain potassium, magnesium, fibre, healthy and unsaturated fats.
- Peppers
Peppers contain high amounts of vitamin C and antioxidants with anti-inflammatory effects.
- Broccoli
Broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable, and is highly nutritious, with a variety of anti-inflammatory effects. It’s also rich in sulforaphane, which is an antioxidant that decreases inflammation.
- Mushrooms
Mushrooms are low calorie, yet high in copper, B vitamins and antioxidants.
- Turmeric
Turmeric is a spice which is often included in curries. It contains curcumin, which is an anti-inflammatory.
- Grapes
Grapes contain anthocyanins, which reduce inflammation. They have also been linked with the decrease in risk of heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, Alzheimer’s and eye disorders. They are also high in antioxidants.
- Dark chocolate
Dark chocolate is high in antioxidants that reduce inflammation.
- Tomatoes
Tomatoes are high in vitamin C, potassium, and other anti-inflammatory properties.
On the other hand, eating too much of some foods can increase inflammation. This includes fried foods, red and processed meats, refined carbohydrates.
Preventing chronic inflammation is important, so if after making changes to your lifestyle the issue persists, we advise that you go to a healthcare professional. It could be a result of an underlying health condition, too.