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I use the term "inflammation" often so let's discuss it more in depth. Inflammation is at the root of all the degenerative diseases we're trying to avoid including heart disease, diabetes, autoimmune disease, cognitive decline, obesity and cancer.

But what is it? Inflammation is ongoing activation of the immune system either acutely (for a short time) or chronically (long term). The acute inflammation is the good protective kind that heals you up quickly after a cut or an infection. It's the chronic inflammation that is creating all the issues. 

Chronic inflammation occurs due to a persistent trigger which your body cannot resolve and over time is causes tissue damage (like chronic reflux can damage your esophagus), dysfunction and disease.

The causes include:
Infections like sinus infections that recur, post-viral infections, and H. pylori (stomach infection), to give a few examples.

Toxins - such as heavy metal or mold

Poor diet - not eating real food, but rather having a heavy ultra-processed diet, high sugar, etc.

Obesity - abdominal fat secretes its own inflammatory chemicals called cytokines which is why obesity is the root cause of so many other diseases.

Dysbiosis - an imbalance of your microbiome. Gut bacteria cause a leaky gut and trigger an immune response either in the gut itself or systemically throughout your body.

Stress - disrupts your sympathetic nervous system and doesn't allow your immune system to repair.

Sleep disruption - poor sleep patterns overburden your immune system.

Some tips to lower your inflammatory profile include:
Breathing exercises - I like box breathing because it shifts your into a parasympathetic nervous pattern that benefits your immune system.

Exercise - it's important for your immune system's health to exercise regularly

Hydrate

Sleep as mentioned above

Clean diet - also mentioned above.

However, to enable your body to heal if chronic inflammation has been present requires a personalized program for many. In other words we need to discover what the exact diet and lifestyle is best for you, what does your microbiome require to become optimized, do you need a hormone rebalance, and how best to optimize sleep plus identify the presence of any toxins or infections present.

If you need help, we're here for you. The best step is to call us for a consultation and then we can determine if what we do is a good fit for you. Call 727-335-0400.

#inflammation #microbiome #rootcausemedicine