ELL B EING
REDUCE INFLAMMATION NATURALLY
THERE ARE TWO KINDS OF INFLAMMATION. ONE CAN HEAL AND THE OTHER CAN KILL. Inflammation is one of your body’s natural defence mechanisms. It helps your body to heal and is a vital tool for a healthy immune system. When you stub your toe or cut yourself, your immune system jumps into action. White blood cells are rushed to the injured area to surround and protect it. A similar thing happens when you have a cold or virus. Your white blood cells protect and repair your body so that you can bounce back to better health. This response is called acute inflammation. It’s a rapid response from your body that lasts a relatively short time and is an important part of staying healthy. There’s also chronic inflammation, and this type can lead to serious health problems. Chronic inflammation is your body’s response when exposed to unwanted invaders like cigarette smoke or even stress. Chronic inflammation is constant, low-level inflammation that can increase with age and also if you’re carrying excess body weight. It has been linked to heart disease, diabetes, depression, Alzheimer’s disease and even cancer. In some situations, the immune system goes haywire and produces chronic inflammation without any obvious trigger. This is the case with
autoimmune diseases like inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis. So, what can you do to reduce chronic inflammation in your body? While certain environmental factors can increase inflammation, other things can work as natural anti-inflammatories for the body. Try these natural strategies to reduce inflammation: • Eat more plants. Pack your plate with a wide range of different-coloured fruits and vegetables, prioritising plant proteins like legumes, nuts and seeds. • Switch to wholegrains. Try to cut out as many refined carbohydrates as possible, like white bread, white rice and highly processed baked goods. Whenever possible, switch to wholegrains instead. • Spice it up. Flavour your food with herbs and spices such as turmeric, garlic and ginger. • Get balanced. Your body tries to fight stress the same way it fights infection. If stress is a constant part of your life, the inflammation could be constant too. It’s important to find time to relax, get some balance back and discover the stress-management tactics that work best for you.
Article courtesy of Sanitarium Health Food Company. Visit sanitarium.com.au or sanitarium.co.nz and subscribe to Recipe of the Week for a delicious plant-powered recipe in your inbox each week. 54
SIGNSOFTHETIMES.ORG.AU • JULY 2023
JULY 2023 • SIGNS OF THE TIMES.ORG.AU
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