Understanding Inflammation

What is inflammation?

Our immune system’s response to protect against infection, disease or injury. In most circumstances this is a normal part of our immune health. During this complex process, the cells release chemicals to alert the immune system. In the short term, our body may be fighting off a cold or healing a wound and the inflammation is essential for the healing process.

Over time, too much of a good thing can turn bad and cause damage to the heart, brain or other organs. The long-term causes of inflammation can be damaging to the body that can lead to more severe conditions such as diabetes, heart disease or even cancer. Chronic or long-term symptoms of inflammation is when your body is under attack for more than 6 weeks, which may produce fatigue, frequent infections, insomnia, weight gain, chronic pain, rashes, and more.

How do we diagnose or detect inflammation?

There are multiple ways to detect inflammation. At Empowered Health, we start through blood tests. Inflammation can be detected through a few different inflammatory markers. A C-Reactive protein test (CRP), Erythrocyte Sedimentation rate (ESR), homocysteine, and Inter-leukin 6. We monitor trends over time with frequent monitoring.

How do we remove inflammation from our body?

A wonderful way to remove chronic inflammation in the body is through optimal nutrition. Some foods that target inflammation in the body are artichokes, berries, kiwi, apricots, leeks, fish, broccoli, and avocados to name a few. An anti-inflammatory or elimination diet can be helpful in providing low inflammatory foods over a course of time. Other ways to target inflammation are to correct any deficiencies within the body, ensure lower stress in your daily life with physical activity, yoga, and meditation and restful sleep.