Did you know that the inside of your body is as important as its outside? Your skin may be your biggest organ, but other internal organs play just as big of a role in keeping you healthy. Well, almost. In today’s world, it seems like everyone has some sort of health issue. Arthritis, eczema and psoriasis are just a few examples. People tend to blame these conditions on age or genetics. However, what most don’t know is that there are many other factors that can contribute to inflammation. 

These external and internal triggers are known as stressors because they put your body under stress. Stressors can include things like everyday stressors like work, school or finances; acute events such as trauma or surgery; and even chronic conditions such as insomnia or depression. In this blog post, we will explore the different types of inflammation, their causes and how you can combat them through diet and supplementation with anti-inflammatory supplements.

What is inflammation?

Inflammation is a process in which the body’s immune system detects damage to cells and attempts to repair the damage by bringing white blood cells, antibodies and other substances to the area. Inflammation is the immune system’s attempt to protect the body from infection and repair injured tissue. When we get a cut or are exposed to allergens, the immune system responds by triggering inflammation. 

This is a natural process; our bodies are programmed to react this way in response to injury or infection. When this system is working correctly, the proteins released as part of the inflammatory response go to the damaged area, remove the sources of damage and repair the damage. However, when the inflammatory response is constant or prolonged, the body can’t go back to normal function and begins to break down. At this point, the inflammatory response isn’t fighting a specific source of damage; it’s just trying to control the damage caused by the response itself.

Inflammation: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

The good: Inflammation is the body’s way of protecting itself from infection and repairing damaged tissue. It can also be triggered by exercise, which can be good because it shows that your body is responding to the exercise as it should. 

The bad: In the wrong context and with the wrong triggers, it can lead to a wide variety of health issues, including heart disease, arthritis, eczema and psoriasis, diabetes, certain cancers and depression. 

The ugly: If left untreated, it can lead to a state of constant inflammation known as chronic inflammation. This can be caused by a wide variety of things, from autoimmune diseases and genetics to everyday stressors like sleep, diet and exercise. 

There is ongoing research to determine how chronic inflammation may lead to heart disease, metabolic syndrome, obesity, diabetes and certain types of cancer.

Chronic Inflammation

Chronic inflammation occurs when your body has become overwhelmed by external and internal stressors. It can lead to a wide variety of health issues, most notably autoimmune diseases. In most cases, the immune system produces antibodies that normally attack foreign bodies like bacteria, viruses and toxins. If a person’s immune system malfunctions, it can accidentally attack parts of the body itself. 

This can lead to chronic inflammation that lasts longer than is necessary. Most people associate this condition with allergies, but people with allergies don’t always have chronic inflammation. Allergies are triggered by external stimuli, while chronic inflammation is a response to internal stimuli. Chronic inflammation can also be caused by poor diet, lack of sleep, smoking, excessive stress, obesity, lack of exercise and genetics.

Acute Inflammation

Acute inflammation is a short-term response to injury or infection. It’s triggered by the release of cytokines. These cytokines signal the body to create proteins and chemicals that fight off foreign bodies by creating scar tissue. This response is necessary for healing. Over time, the immune system will “clean up” the cells and proteins left behind, healing the damaged tissue and returning the body to normal function. 

The best example of acute inflammation is a paper cut. When your finger comes in contact with a sharp edge, the skin is broken open. The body responds by increasing blood flow to the area. This brings white blood cells and antibodies to the site of the injury. The blood is rich in proteins and other substances that promote healing. Over the next few days, the wound is sealed off with a layer of fibrous tissue.

Food-based anti-inflammatory supplements

There are following natural anti-inflammatory supplements. Many of them also have other health-promoting benefits. Keep in mind that the dosages listed are suggestions only. Depending on your unique situation and the severity of the inflammation, you may need to take more or less than the suggested amount. 

Curcumin – Curcumin, a compound found in the root of the turmeric plant, has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. More recently, it has been used in Western medicine as well. It has been studied for many health conditions and has been found to be effective for many of them. It has been found to be an effective anti-inflammatory agent that can be used both topically and internally. 

Probiotic – Fermented foods have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. However, not everyone can consume enough fermented foods to get the benefits they provide. Supplementing with a probiotic supplement can help. 

Zinc – Zinc is one of the most widely studied nutrients when it comes to fighting inflammation. It has been shown to be effective for fighting inflammation for many parts of the body, including the joints, skin, stomach and intestines.

Exercise-based anti-inflammatory supplements

The following supplements are natural remedies for inflammation. Many of them also have other health-promoting benefits. Keep in mind that the dosages listed are suggestions only. Depending on your unique situation and the severity of the inflammation, you may need to take more or less than the suggested amount. 

Apple Cider Vinegar – Apple cider vinegar is rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It also contains malic acid, which is known to be an anti-inflammatory agent. When applied topically, it can help to soothe sunburns, rashes and even insect bites. When ingested, it can help to control blood sugar, regulate digestion and keep blood pressure low. 

Curcumin – Curcumin, a compound found in the root of the turmeric plant, has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. More recently, it has been used in Western medicine as well. It has been studied for many health conditions and has been found to be effective for many of them. It has been found to be an effective anti-inflammatory agent that can be used both topically and internally. 

Ginger – Ginger is a root native to China, India and other Asian countries. It has been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine. It has been found to be effective for treating a variety of conditions, including nausea, upset stomach, arthritis and headaches.

Final Words

In today’s world, it seems like everyone has some sort of health issue. Arthritis, eczema and psoriasis are just a few examples. People tend to blame these conditions on age or genetics. However, what most don’t know is that there are many other factors that can contribute to inflammation. These external and internal triggers are known as stressors because they put your body under stress. Stressors can include things like everyday stressors like work, school or finances; acute events such as trauma or surgery; and even chronic conditions such as insomnia or depression. In this blog post, we will explore the different types of inflammation, their causes and how you can combat them through diet and supplementation with anti-inflammatory supplements