What is Inflammation and How to Reduce it Naturally?
What is inflammation – and why should we care?
Ever woken up feeling stiff, bloated, or just “off”?
Inflammation is a natural response from your immune system. It’s how your body protects itself from harm like infections, viruses, or injuries.
But when inflammation sticks around too long, it can do more harm than good. This is called chronic inflammation – and it’s been linked to many serious health issues like arthritis, heart disease, stroke and even cancer.
What are the two types of inflammation?
There are two main kinds:
- Acute inflammation comes on quickly, often within minutes or hours. It usually lasts a few days or up to two weeks. Symptoms are often obvious – like swelling, pain or redness from a cut or sprain.
- Chronic inflammation lasts longer – sometimes for months or even years. It can happen silently inside your body without obvious symptoms. Over time, it may damage your tissues and lead to disease.
Autoimmune conditions like inflammatory bowel disease or rheumatoid arthritis can also trigger chronic inflammation. In these cases, your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells.
What are the signs of inflammation?
Common symptoms of inflammation include:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Heat
- Pain
- Loss of movement or function
- Fever or chills
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Muscle or joint stiffness
You may not get all these signs. It depends on the cause, where in your body it’s happening, and your overall health.
How can we reduce inflammation?
There are many ways to help reduce chronic inflammation:
- Quit smoking
- Exercise regularly
- Get enough rest
- Manage stress
- Take prescribed medication
- In some cases, surgery may be needed
But one of the most powerful tools is your daily diet.
Eat more anti-inflammatory foods
What you eat every day can either fuel or fight inflammation.
Try to avoid or reduce:
- Processed foods
- Refined carbs
- Sugar
- Trans fats
Then start adding in more anti-inflammatory foods, like:
- Tomatoes
- Avocados
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Fatty fish – like salmon, sardines or tuna
- Broccoli and leafy greens
- Berries and citrus fruits
- Green tea
- Nuts
- Spices like turmeric, red ginger, black garlic, and moringa
These foods are rich in antioxidants and plant compounds that help calm inflammation naturally.
You don’t need to eat all of them every day. Just try to include more of them in your weekly meals and snacks.
Conclusion
Inflammation is part of your body’s defence system. However, when it becomes chronic, it can cause serious health problems.
A healthy lifestyle and wholefood diet can help reduce inflammation and support healing.
Start by making small changes today. Your future self will thank you.
Chronic Inflammation🔥
1 in 2 Australians live with a Chronic Condition. Is Prevention Better than a Cure?
