In simple terms, inflammation is your body’s natural response to injury, infection, or irritation- a defense mechanism that helps protect and heal by increasing blood flow and sending immune cells to the affected area. When inflammation goes unchecked, for long periods of time, it can wreak havoc on your health and cause serious health conditions including heart disease, diabetes and various autoimmune diseases.
Symptoms such as chronic bloating, gas, joint pain, brain fog, fatigue could indicate you are suffering from some type of inflammation. The good news is that with some simple diet and lifestyle changes, you can significantly decrease systemic inflammation.
- Focus on whole, unprocessed, nutrient rich foods– consuming fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants and fiber help to combat inflammation. Omega 3 rich foods like salmon and flaxseed provide healthy fats and help to lower inflammation levels. Incorporating spices and aromatics like turmeric, garlic and onion are also beneficial. Decreasing refined sugar is crucial as it is proinflammatory- read labels of breads, crackers, condiments etc- you may be surprised to see how much sugar is hiding in your diet.
- Manage Stress– meditation, outdoor walks, yoga classes, journaling, reading- all of these are ways you can manage your stress levels which will help keep inflammation in check.
Take care of your gut health– include probiotic rich foods to nourish your gut microbiome- foods like coconut yogurt, water kefir, sauerkraut and kimchi are all great options!
Also Published in Stone Oak Community Highlights- February 2025 Issue
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