What is chronic inflammation in the body?

 Inflammation is something that we all experience, but not many of us understand what it really is. We’ve all heard the term thrown around, but how much do you really know about inflammation and why it’s important to take care of your body?  Everyone experiences inflammation at some point in their life, but when it becomes chronic, that’s when you know something is wrong. As holistic moms, we know how important it is to listen to our bodies and take preventative steps to ensure our health and wellbeing. Today, we’re diving into the science behind chronic inflammation and providing you with some tips on how to keep your body healthy and happy!

 

Inflammation is a natural process that happens when your immune system attempts to protect your body from foreign invaders. When your body detects a threat—such as a virus, bacteria, or injury—it triggers an inflammatory response. This response causes cells in your body called white blood cells to rush to the affected area. These white blood cells release chemicals into the surrounding tissue, which can cause swelling, redness, heat, and pain. 

One of the main benefits of inflammation is that it helps protect our bodies from potential harm. When our body senses a threat—such as an infection or injury—it sends out an inflammatory response which can help fight off any invaders or heal any injuries. In addition to protecting us from outside threats, inflammation also plays an important role in the healing process by helping our bodies repair damaged tissue and build new cells. 

Chronic inflammation is not the normal kind of inflammation that occurs after a sprain or muscle strain. It’s a silent but dangerous type of inflammation that can be linked to many chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, depression and other autoimmune disorders. It occurs when your body’s natural defense system becomes hyperactive and attacks healthy tissues instead of protecting them from harm. This prolonged state of inflammation can cause the cells in your body to become damaged over time. 

There are many things that can contribute to chronic inflammation in the body including poor diet choices (such as those high in sugar, unhealthy fats, or highly processed), excessive stress levels, lack of exercise, smoking cigarettes and even environmental toxins like air pollution or chemicals found in many cleaning and personal care products. All of these factors can have an impact on your body’s ability to fight off disease-causing bacteria and viruses as well as heal itself properly from injury or illness. 

The good news is that there are steps you can take to reduce chronic inflammation in your body! First and foremost, make sure you are getting enough rest and eating a balanced diet full of anti-inflammatory foods like leafy greens, fruits, and vegetables and healthy fats like nuts & seeds, or avocados. Avoiding cigarettes and learning about (and getting rid of) seemingly benign products in your home that can be as harmful as cigarettes are great ways to reduce inflammation.  

Supplements like antioxidants, fish oil, and turmeric may also be beneficial for reducing inflammation in the body. Finally, if you find yourself struggling with chronic inflammation despite these lifestyle changes, consider speaking with a healthcare professional to rule out major health issues.

Inflammation is an essential part of keeping our bodies healthy and safe; however it can also become problematic when left unchecked for long periods of time. Chronic inflammation is something no one should ignore—it can lead to serious health issues! That's why it's important for holistic moms everywhere to be aware of what inflammation is and how they can reduce its effects on their bodies. But by making some lifestyle adjustments like eating nutritious foods, getting enough sleep each night and exercising regularly (amongst other things!) you can take control of your health by reducing this silent condition. Being aware of what causes chronic inflammation will help you make more mindful decisions about what goes into—and onto—your body so you can keep yourself healthy for years to come!