What is inflammation?

We keep hearing about inflammation in the body causing all horrible things that limit the quality of our lives. But, how? 

Let’s understand what inflammation is. 

Inflammation is our body’s natural response when our body’s encounter with a virus, bacteria or  toxic chemicals. Then it sends out inflammatory cells to the rescue. It is a symptom of many chronic diseases, such as arthritis or Alzheimer’s disease, explains Cleveland Clinic.

Inflammation is a good thing and a bad thing! 

Let’s first talk about the good inflammation (as I call it) called acute inflammation. 

This is the most known inflammation. For example, when you sprain your ankle or hit your elbow (ouch!!!) or even when you are infected by a bacteria or flu. Your immune system sends the white blood cells to protect the area, which may result in swelling and redness in the area in order to start the healing process. So, next time you swell or get bruised, know that your beautiful body is working to heal you.

If your immune system fails to activate the inflammatory response, injuries take such a long time to heal and in some cases infections could be terminal, says Harvard Medical School. 

Bad inflammation (as I call it), is chronic inflammation that may eventually cause many chronic diseases, such as;

• Heart Disease
• Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) 
• Type 2 Diabetes
• as well as deformities and pain in joints!  

Yes, it is as scary as it sounds!

What causes chronic inflammation?

Luckily, we can control some of the causes of inflammation. I will start with the ones that is in your power to make improvements:

• Excess alcohol
• Obesity
• Smoke
• Lack of or excess exercise 
• Exposure to toxins
• Infection or injury
• Autoimmune disorders

How to reduce chronic inflammation?

With no surprise Cleveland Clinic listed achieving and maintaining a healthy weight as number one prevention. Yes, today may be the day for you to get started. If you don’t know where to start, I and my team at Wallace Fitness™ are here to help like we did to thousands of people to improve the quality of their life through our High Performance Aging and Healthy Living Programs.

The other actions you can take to reduce inflammation are;

• Exercising regularly
• Quitting smoking or vaping
• Eating a healthy diet with full of greens and fish
• Managing stress
• Limiting or eliminating;
  • Process food, including fast food
  • Alcohol intake
  • Sugar, pastries, and white bread
  • Cold cuts
  • Processed meats like sausages, hot dogs etc.

If you want to step up your custom fitness or nutrition via our unique safe and effective programs, contact us. 

Reduce inflammation with our 30 Anti- Inflammatory Program. Click here to sign up now!

Disclaimer: No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

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1- Inflammation: What is it, causes, symptoms & treatment. Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Retrieved April 8, 2022, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/21660-inflammation#:~:text=When%20your%20body%20activates%20your,you%20may%20have%20chronic%20inflammation 

2- What is inflammation? Harvard Health. (2021, April 12). Retrieved April 8, 2022, from https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-disease/ask-the-doctor-what-is-inflammation