Contributing Writer
Annie Bush
You wake up stiff, experience more pain as the day goes on, and survive on over-the-counter medications, which are, in turn, destroying your gut. You then have to take antacids because your gut has been thrown out of balance because of the pain medications. One thing leads to another, and another, but the root cause of it all is inflammation.
The word “inflammation” comes from the Latin word meaning “to set on fire”. So generally, inflammation is the body’s natural response to fight off harmful outside or environmental stimuli or irritants. In other words, inflammation is your body’s reaction to harmful things it can’t get rid of.
What is Chronic Inflammation?
Chronic inflammation is when the body has to repeatedly respond to systemic attacks: The body is confronted with repeated harmful stimuli which spreads throughout the body via the bloodstream and other systems. This could be caused by simply eating inflammatory foods on a regular basis – see below. As a result of this chronic condition, illnesses and disease are created.
You can actually measure the level of inflammation in your body via your blood. In a standard blood test, one biomarker is C-Reactive Protein (CRP). Doctors also measure Homocysteine levels to evaluate chronic inflammation.
What are the Main Sources of Inflammation?
The short answer is an inflammatory diet - You are what you eat! So here are some of the most common food sources of inflammation:
Gluten – You can be genetically more sensitive to Gluten, but in everyone it is one of the main causes of leaky gut. Your gut lining is just a single cell layer and keeps the food (good and bad), well, inside your gut. The nutrients and fats get absorbed and sent to the organs and other parts of your body to be utilized. However, there are foods, most of which listed below, which permeate, or make holes, in this lining, and so the bad bacteria and toxins get out into the bloodstream, start traveling through the body, and that’s where and when inflammation begins.
Gluten is found in grains, primarily wheat products: Pasta, breads, bagels, muffins, chips, crackers – you name it, and then added to things like soups, salad dressings and ketchup to “thicken” them up. If a box, bag, or can in your pantry does not say “Gluten Free” on it – assume there is Gluten in it.
If you are sensitive to gluten, like I am, you know pretty much right away when you have eaten something containing Gluten: Gluten causes the inflammatory responses of bloating, irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, constipation, diarrhea, acid reflux, heartburn, and/or gas. If ignored, more severe conditions include allergic responses, reproductive problems, anemia, loss of bone density, skin rashes, headaches, and fatigue. These are all signs of “inflammation” as your body is systemically responding to the Gluten. If you have the genetic variant, you are more likely to develop Celiac disease or other autoimmune conditions.
Sugar and High Fructose Corn Syrup – You know where your sugar is, but you must look on the back of labels to find the “High Fructose Corn Syrup” - it is usually the first ingredient in things like BBQ sauce and Ketchup. It causes high insulin production and high triglycerides – resulting in high fat storage. The excess of abdominal fat cells produces pro-inflammatory chemicals known as cytokines, which get released into the bloodstream, get processed in the liver, resulting in creating even more inflammation.
Artificial trans fats are often listed as Partially Hydrogenated Oils – examples include margarine, vegetable shortening (Crisco), packaged snacks, premade baked foods, ready-to-use dough, fried foods, and coffee creamers. These are fake foods that your body identifies as toxic.
Vegetable and seed oils – The unsaturated fats found in vegetable oils, when they're heated, tend to oxidize. In this form, they're more dangerous to body tissues and can trigger inflammation. Most Canola oil is chemically extracted using a solvent called hexane, and heat is often applied which can affect the stability of the oil's molecules, turn it rancid, destroy the omega-3s in it, and can even create trans fats. Avoid Canola, Grapeseed, Safflower, Soybean oil, Corn oil, Cottonseed oil, Sunflower oil, and Peanut oil.
Corn and Soybeans are high in inflammatory Omega-6.
Excessive Alcohol – No more than 1 serving a day for woman, or 2 servings a day for men.
Processed Meats/Grain-Fed meats – Sodium nitrates form nitrosamines which are carcinogenic in processed meats, and grain-fed meats are high in inflammatory Omega-6s.
MSG - Mono-sodium glutamate (MSG) is a flavor-enhancing food additive most commonly found in prepared Asian food and soy sauce, but it can also be added to fast foods, prepared soups and soup mixes, salad dressings and deli meats. It is an excitotoxin and particularly inflammatory to anyone with PTSD.
Little Known Food Sources of Inflammation
Histamines – Histamines are a group of foods which we all think are “healthy”, but which end up not being “healthy” for you if your body struggles to get rid of them. Some of these foods include avocados, walnuts, cashews, fermented foods, and more. Through my own genetic testing, I found out I was someone who was not clearing excess histamines from my system, and for me, they created huge digestive issues. The good news is, once you get the excess histamines out of your system, you can integrate the foods back in, in moderation. There are also histamine blockers you can take when you eat foods containing histamines.
Iron – Think about it: Iron rusts when it is exposed to oxygen and water. Iron inside your body does the same thing: It oxidizes, creates oxidative stress and inflammation. The science is now becoming better accepted: We don’t need iron supplements or iron fortified anything in our lives. There are two Iron genetic markers: HO-1 and HFE which will tell you if you are storing iron, which could be the cause of your pain and inflammation. The presence of HFE is a marker for Hemochromatosis.
Early Warning Signs and Symptoms of Chronic Inflammation
Fatigue and Low Energy – Increased inflammation causes decreased available energy.
Gas, Bloating, Swollen Belly, Constipation, Diarrhea
Weight Gain – means your body is dangerously storing toxins.
Aches and Pains – Yes, arthritis is a form of inflammation.
Brain Fog, Memory Loss, Trouble Focusing - Studies show increased inflammation in midlife (50s) is associated with smaller brain volume and earlier onset of cognitive decline.
What Does Inflammation Do to Your Body?
If you choose to ignore all the signs and symptoms listed above, you are putting yourself at a higher risk of the developing the following:
“Inflammaging” – Accelerated Aging due to inflammation
Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Parkinson’s and other forms of cognitive decline. Inflammation disrupts many of the chemical pathways which are imperative in memory formation. The nerves become sluggish and information travels far more slowly.
Psoriasis – a chronic skin disease.
Serious digestive conditions such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
Serious conditions such as Diabetes, Cancer, Osteoporosis, Heart Disease, Asthma, Autoimmune Disease, Arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis, Periodontitis, Organ damage, Depression.
I can help identify where your inflammatory exposures are in your life and help you naturally reduce and eliminate them. Mention this article and get $50 off your genetic testing.
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Annie Bush
Your Total Body
