What Is Chronic Inflammation, and What to Do About It

Chronic inflammation is the root cause of many common diseases. But is it possible to reduce the risk or even reverse symptoms of disease with lifestyle changes?

After a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis in 2000, Dr. Terry Wahls declined rapidly despite conventional treatments for her disease. By 2007, she was wheelchair bound. Refusing to accept her fate, she started an intensive search of medical research to find her own cure.

After extensive research into the nutrition of foods, she designed her own unique dietary plan for healing. She became what she calls “a modern-day hunter-gatherer,” eating only copious amounts of leafy greens, sulfur-rich vegetables, and other colorful vegetables, seaweed, wild fish, grass-fed meats and organ meats.

By 2008, she no longer used a wheelchair or even a cane. She takes part in active sports such as swimming, riding her bike, and cross-country skiing. Currently, she is a professor of medicine, clinical researcher, author, and advocate for changing the health of Americans. Dr. Wahls conducts clinical trials and works with patients to treat MS and other debilitating health conditions with her dietary plan based on Paleo principles.  

So what can we do to prevent or reduce the risk of diseases caused by chronic inflammation?

What is inflammation?

Imagine your body under attack. Invaded by toxins. Attacked by bacteria or viruses. Damaged by injury or heat. Assaulted by environmental irritants such as chemicals.

However, the body has a marvelous mechanism for dealing with attacks and healing itself, called the acute inflammatory response. Blood flow to the area increases, resulting in redness and swelling. Meanwhile, swelling stimulates nerve endings, causing pain. White blood cells accumulate at the site to engulf foreign cells and debris and produce chemicals to protect the tissues and fight the attack.

What happens when inflammation goes awry by failing to turn off when no longer needed? Acute inflammation becomes chronic inflammation.

What is chronic inflammation?

Mitochondria are organelles found in almost all cells of the body. They generate ATP, which is the energy for the functioning of all cells. The heart, brain, and muscle have many more mitochondria in their cells because these tissues need more energy.

During chronic inflammation, the mitochondria take part in several complex biochemical pathways that provoke inflammation but also damage the mitochondria themselves.

Damage to the mitochondria may cause genetic mutations, cell death, and tissue degradation. Current research links this process to many chronic degenerative diseases. Here is a partial list.

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
• Autism
• Arthritis
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Cancer
• Cardiovascular Disease
• Dementia
• Depression
• Huntington’s Disease
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Metabolic Syndrome
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Type 2 Diabetes
• Ulcerative Colitis and other gut disorders

Remedies for chronic inflammation

Fortunately, we can lower our risk of diseases caused by chronic inflammation by making dietary and lifestyle changes.

Other lifestyle changes

• Stop smoking
• Limit alcohol consumption
• Manage stress with prayer, meditation, or gentle exercises such as yoga and tai-chi
• Get regular exercise, especially high-intensity interval training
• Limit exposure to chemicals and environmental toxins such as pesticides, mold and heavy metals
• Control your weight
• Improve your sleep
• Maintain a normal blood glucose level
• Eliminate gluten and dairy from your diet

Conclusion

Food is medicine. We reduce our risk of many common diseases caused by chronic inflammation by protecting and healing our mitochondria with diet and lifestyle changes. Remember, wellness is a journey. Choose one healthy change and take it one step at a time. You are worth it!

Disclaimer

Any information on this Website is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by a healthcare professional. You should not use the information on this Website for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease or prescribing any medication or other treatment. You should always speak with a healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or homeopathic supplement, or adopting any treatment for a health problem. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly contact a healthcare professional.