Inflammation is one of our body’s defense mechanisms, and a rather important one at that. When we get a cut or a virus gets into our system, this mechanism will usually be triggered.
Either at the site of the infection or all around in our body. Once the attacker is gone, we get back to normal.
Or at least that’s what should happen, but unfortunately there are certain conditions that keep our body inflamed at all times, not allowing it to rest.
Similarly to the defensive line in football, the system needs breaks from time to time to be at its most effective. This doesn’t always happen.
When we are suffering from chronic inflammation, our system cannot get those much needed breaks and we become susceptible to some medical conditions and diseases.
We can, however, eliminate that problem without having to rely on strong medicines, with the help of some natural remedies.
A plant-based diet can be a tremendous help Western diets often include a lot of “inflammatory foods”. These type of foods can promote or even flat out cause certain type of inflammations.
The usual suspects are flour, sugar, animal products or any kind of processed foods, really. Studies have shown that a plant-based diet is often healthier.
Eliminating animal proteins and processed food alone will not guarantee anyone’s health, but it will significantly reduce the chances of anything chronic happening, especially inflammation.
A plant-based diet affects the body in two different ways. For starters, your caloric intake will likely decrease.
This is important because it will likely result in health weight loss. Inflammation is proven to affect overweight or obese people more.
The other important factor is the nutritional value of the food. A plant-based diet will likely offer a more balanced vitamin and mineral intake. That is much healthier.
What About Your Gut Health?
At least 60% of your immune system is associated with your gut. Judging by that simple fact, gut health has to be a top priority of ours, right?
Indeed. When your gut health is in check, you have a reduced risk of developing a lot of chronic medical conditions, including any type of inflammation.
When it comes to your gut health, it is all about balance. I’m sure you are familiar with the words “gut flora”.
Your digestive tracks have their own kind of eco-system with beneficial bacteria and all kinds of other goods that help you digest your food in an efficient way. It’s really key to your health.
How can you improve it when it’s out of sorts? By eating more fibers and taking quality probiotics.
Especially if you’ve been taking antibiotics, probiotics will help you regain that so important balance that allows your body to digest the food in the most efficient and healthiest way possible.
Mental Health
We really aren’t talk enough about our mental health. Studies have found a link between our mental and physiological health long ago, making that journey even more important.
We are all stressed sometimes, but some of us remain at that unhealthy place a lot longer than they should.
The ability to let go and relax is extremely underrated not just from a health, but also from a living quality standpoint.
The quality of our life is largely determined by how quickly we can let go of bad things. It’s obviously easier said than done, but luckily we have several tools that can help us.
Breathing and relaxation techniques, not to mention several dozens of psychotherapies can all help find our way. This, of course, usually means something different to all of us, and this is the reason why getting the help of an expert can help so much.
With their guidance, we can get to those places. Once you have found your happy place, life will become easier and you will be able to handle any possible medical condition much better.
Meditative techniques can lower your blood pressure and make your body function much more efficiently. When that happens, your life takes a positive turn.
To speed up that process, you can try various natural remedies that have a relaxing and anti-inflammatory effect, including but not limited to:
- Chamomile
- Green tea
- Hops
- Valerian
- Lemon balm
- Passion flower
- Lavender
Try a combination of these, most of them you can make tea out of.
Are You Hydrated?
Several physicians agree that one of the major things that we could do for ourselves from a health standpoint yet many of us neglect it, is always being hydrated.
The average adult human body consists of about 50-65% water. We are – for the most part – it. Naturally, we have to replenish it.
Several studies have pointed out the importance of drinking enough water, and we all know how important it is. Unfortunately there are people all around the world who don’t have access to clean water.
If you are not one of those people, bless your luck and make sure you are always hydrated.
Your gut needs the water to function well, your circulatory system needs it as well.
When you have enough water in your body, you’ll be less likely to get bloated or constipated. Water is the oil for your very own machine that processes the food to create the much needed energy. Don’t neglect it.
Omega-3 acids for the rescue Omega-3 acids are known for their anti-inflammatory qualities.
There are lots of foods containing those nourishing proteins. EPA and DHA can mostly be found in fish, whereas ALA you can get from plant sources too.
Let’s take a look at some of the best sources that can offer these essential fats.
Flaxseed and salmon can offer the highest concentration of the substance, ahead of chia seeds, walnuts, fish roe, cured and canned fish, mackerel, seafood, soybeans and spinach.
A combination of those foods can certainly help your chronic inflammation, although you should beware mercury.
Some types of fish contains way too many of it and while this rarely presents a short term problem, is absolutely a long-term risk if you follow a one-sided diet.
Variety is always key, a diet based on these foods while eliminating processed goods, could definitely reduce the level of inflammation in you.
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