Causes, Symptoms & Anti- Inflammatory Diet. Inflammation is a vital part of the body's immune response. It is the body's attempt to heal itself after an injury; defend itself against foreign invaders, such as viruses and bacteria; and repair damaged tissue. Inflammation can also be problematic, though, and it plays a role in some chronic diseases. When you stub your toe, for example, biochemical processes release proteins called cytokines as . Scott Walker, a family practice physician at Gunnison Valley Hospital in Utah. White blood cells swarm the injured area and ingest germs, dead or damaged cells and other foreign materials to help heal the body, Walker said. Hormones called prostaglandins create blood clots to try to heal the damaged tissue and remove them when healing is finished; they also trigger pain and fever as part of the healing process. Pus is an accumulation of white blood cells that have died after ingesting the threatening materials and the way the body expels those no- longer- needed cells. Acute inflammation arises after a cut or scrape in the skin, an infected ingrown nail, a sprained ankle, acute bronchitis, a sore throat, tonsillitis or appendicitis. It is short- term and the effects subside after a few days. Habitual or environmental factors, such as excess weight, poor diet, lack of exercise, stress, smoking, pollution, poor oral health and excessive alcohol consumption can also lead to chronic inflammation. Whether acute or chronic, inflammation “is the body’s natural response to a problem, so it makes us aware of issues that we might not otherwise acknowledge,” he said. ![]() Inflammation is the body's response to injury. It works to heal wounds, but it can also play a role in some chronic diseases. Inflammation is a vital part of the body. Merriam-Webster’s dictionary has been flirting with the thin line between cheekily relevant and irritatingly attention seeking lately. The evolving compendium of. The white blood cells swarm, but have nothing to do and nowhere to go, and they sometimes eventually start attacking internal organs or other necessary tissues and cells, Walker said. Persistent inflammation has been linked to a variety of ailments, including heart disease. It is often associated with environmental or habitual factors, such as pollution or poor diet, which has made it of interest to nutritionists. An anti- inflammatory diet may also be helpful for those suffering from arthritis, according to the Arthritis Foundation. These tests are usually done when doctors are trying to figure out if a patient has a disease like lupus, arthritis or heart disease, according to the Mayo Clinic. Some of them may be: Heart disease. Chronic inflammation has been linked to cardiovascular diseases. Cholesterol gets deposited in the lining of blood vessels and acts as an insult, Walker said. Because the cytokines that respond to these insults are in the bloodstream, they can lead to systemic inflammation. ![]() ![]() Inflamed blood vessels and growing fatty plaque can cause blockages and blood clots, which can cause heart attacks. A large- scale study at Stanford University found that coronary artery disease risk might be linked to genes associated with inflammation. The spikes trigger white blood cells to attack, and inflammation continues. In addition to increasing the risk for diabetes, insulin resistance can also increase the risk of weight gain. Lung issues. Chronic inflammation in the lungs is a factor in many problems, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and infections, according to the Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute. When lungs are inflamed, fluid can accumulate, and the airways can narrow, making breathing difficult.
Bone health. According to a 2. Journal of Endocrinology, chronic inflammation is associated with increased bone loss and lack of bone growth. Scientists theorize that cytokines in the blood interfere with bone “remodeling,” the process in which old, damaged pieces of bones are replaced with new ones. Furthermore, inflammation in the gut can decrease the absorption of nutrients that are important to bone health, like calcium and vitamin D. ![]() Furthermore, inflammation has been linked to symptoms of depression, including feeling down, loss of appetite and sleep problems. Scientists remain unsure of why inflammation is linked to sleep problems or low moods, but suspect that cytokines can interfere with hunger signals. Cancer. According to the Mayo Clinic, it is not fully clear if chronic inflammation can be a contributing factor in developing cancer, but scientists are investigating. According to Cancer Research UK, immune cells attack fledgling tumors in an inflammatory response. These immune cells infiltrate the tumor, but instead of killing it, the tumor uses the nutrients and oxygen that are part of the inflammatory response to grow. Anger disorders and aggressive behavior. One study found that people with intermittent explosive disorder had higher levels of inflammatory markers, such as C- reactive proteins (CRP). Scientists are unclear what causes the link between these two factors. Hard evidence is lacking regarding the effectiveness of these diets in reducing inflammation, according to the Mayo Clinic, but the principles of an anti- inflammatory diet are healthy ones. The recommended foods are typical of a Mediterranean diet and include eating more fish, fresh fruits and vegetables and healthy fats; eating moderate portions of nuts; eating very little red meat; and drinking moderate amounts red wine. ![]() Ximena Jimenez, a Miami- based nutritionist and national spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, said consuming omega- 3 fatty acids is important. On a cellular level, omega- 3 fatty acids inhibit an enzyme that produces prostaglandins, which trigger inflammation. It’s similar to how aspirin works. Jimenez recommended salmon, herring, tuna and mackerel and advised consuming two or three servings (about 1. Avocados: “Avocados have great anti- inflammatory properties,” said Laura Flores, a San Diego- based nutritionist. They contain “phytosterols, carotenoid antioxidants, omega 3 fatty acids and polyhydroxolated fatty alcohols” — compounds that can help reduce inflammation. ![]() A 2. 01. 3 study in the journal Food & Function found that people who ate a hamburger with avocado had lower CRP levels four hours after eating than those who did not. Broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables: Broccoli, Brussels sprout, kale and cauliflower and other green leafy veggies contain sulforaphane, which is associated with blocking enzymes that are linked to joint deterioration and, consequently, chronic inflammation, according to Victoria Jarzabkowski, a nutritionist with the Fitness Institute of Texas at the University of Texas at Austin. Sulforaphane also may be able to prevent or reverse damage to blood vessel linings caused by chronic blood sugar problems and inflammation. Watermelon: Watermelon contains lycopene, a cellular inhibitor for various inflammatory processes. It also works as an antioxidant to neutralize free radicals. Additionally, watermelon contains choline, which helps keep chronic inflammation down, according to a 2. Shock medical journal. Walnuts and other nuts: Jimenez said that these are another great source of omega- 3 fatty acids. Onions: Their anti- inflammatory properties have made them a popular home remedy for asthma for centuries. Onions are a good source of quercetin, which inhibits histamines known to cause inflammation, according Jimenez. Olive oil and canola oil: Jimenez recommended using these as primary cooking oils, because they are a good source of omega- 3 fatty acids. Berries: According to a review in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, polyphenol compounds, particularly anthocyanins, which produce dark red pigments, moderate inflammation. Whole grains: Whole grains like brown rice, quinoa and bulgur wheat have been associated with decreased CRP levels, according to studies in the journal Molecular Nutrition & Food Research and in the Journal of Nutrition. Another study in the Journal of Nutrition found that people who ate fewer whole grains actually had higher inflammation markers. The fiber in whole grains can help mediate inflammatory processes by helping with weight loss and feeding beneficial gut bacteria associated with lower levels of inflammation, according to the Arthritis Foundation. Certain spices: The University of Wisconsin lists ginger, rosemary, turmeric, oregano, cayenne, cloves and nutmeg as possessing anti- inflammatory compounds that inhibit the biochemical process of inflammation. They are used to treat fever, pain and swelling. They are often used for short- term afflictions like headaches, fevers associated with colds and flus, menstrual periods and strained or sprained muscles. They can also be used to treat more chronic conditions such as arthritis and back pain, though often this is done at a doctor’s discretion. In prescription doses, they are sometimes used for post- surgery pain relief, according to the National Institutes of Health. They work by blocking the enzyme cyclooxygenase, which produces prostaglandins, according to Medicine. Net. Without cyclooxygenase, the swelling, pain and fever of inflammation do not happen. Corticosteroids reduce inflammation and swelling by reducing the production of chemicals involved in inflammation. They reduce the activity of white blood cells, too, thereby potentially impacting immunity, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The Mayo Clinic advises that supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration for safety and effectiveness. With that in mind, popular supplements include: Devil’s claw: This is widely used in Europe as an anti- inflammatory agent, according to the Mayo Clinic, which also said studies suggest it is effective in the short- term treatment of pain associated with osteoarthritis. Cat's claw: This herb may ease rheumatoid arthritis joint pain and osteoarthritis knee pain, but more studies are needed, according to the Mayo Clinic. Turmeric: This spice is well known for its anti- inflammatory compounds, called curcuminoids, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
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