Identifying inflammation

The word inflammation is synonymous with physical injury, pain, swelling & illness. In an acute sense, inflammation is protective. The immune system’s prompt reaction can address pathogenic invaders or damaged tissue to promote healing. It is when the inflammatory response continues beyond its required reaction time that additional tissue damage can occur & disease progression is more likely.

Identifying inflammation

Inflammatory markers such as CRP & ESR can be measured through pathology testing if inflammation is suspected. Autoimmune antibodies can also be reviewed in bloodwork. An absence of these indicators however does not rule out inflammatory activity. Genetic testing may also highlight a predisposition to certain types of inflammation & can assist with preventative approaches.

Signs you might be experiencing inflammation include:

• Pain (anywhere in the body)

• Brain fog

• Mood imbalances

• High stress levels

• Poor immunity

• Allergies

• Accelerated ageing

The acute response

Inflammation is responsible for initial symptoms in common infections such as colds, viruses, Influenza & Covid-19. Once the immune system has worked to address the offending pathogen, tissue damage & oxidative stress may perpetuate the inflammatory response past the point of infection. This is why most viruses cause incapacitation for one week or more & recovery time varies between individuals.

Additional contributors to oxidative stress include:

• Heavy metal toxicity

• Allergies

• Poor nutrient intake

• Under or over exercising

• High stress

• Poor sleep quality Chronic cases

Intercellular messengers called cytokines are responsible for inflammatory complications as they regulate the behaviour of immune cells. For example, excess cytokine activity is identified in post-viral syndromes that often induce excess fatigue, cognitive difficulties & exercise intolerance. Hormone-like substances called prostaglandins are also involved in increasing cytokine activity & are implicated in painful conditions.

It is estimated that one in three Australians have been diagnosed with a chronic inflammatory illness. Chronic inflammation is associated with the following conditions:

• Mood disorders

• Infertility

• Chronic fatigue syndrome

• Cardiovascular disease

• Alzheimer’s disease

• Autoimmune disease

• Arthritis

• Cancer

How to combat inflammation

Treatment should be informed by the underlying cause or diagnosed condition as well as the area/s of the body it is affecting. Pinpointing the cause of your immune system’s response is essential.

Anti-inflammatory foods are the best way to support recovery in injury & illness. Including foods high in polyphenols, antioxidants, fibre & omega 3 fatty acids, all help to combat oxidative stress. Eating organic is also pivotal as it removes the risk of additional inflammation & cellular damage.

Lower your inflammatory load by including the following foods in your diet

Fruit & vegetables: Blueberries, plums, cherries, apples, strawberries, black olives, beetroot, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, capsicum, cauliflower, celery, garlic, kale & spinach.

Spices: Turmeric, cloves, cinnamon, ginger & cumin.

Fish: Herring, sardines, salmon, mackerel, anchovies & trout.

Nuts & seeds: Hazelnuts, pecans, walnuts, pistachios, cashews, chia seeds & linseeds.

Other dietary choices

Inflammatory food & drink should be avoided where possible. Alcohol, soft drinks (including diet soft drinks), confectionary, highly processed foods, some processed meats, deep fried foods & most fast foods are considered to be drivers of inflammation.

Lifestyle

As over-activity of the stress response propels inflammation, stress management is essential. Therapeutic activities such as acupuncture, mindfulness, meditation, visualisation, progressive muscle relaxation, yoga & counselling can be useful adjunct treatments.

Addressing with supplementation

Targeting inflammation with supplementation, despite being nuanced, is achievable. The array of antiinflammatory nutrients & herbs is vast but research has identified what is suitable for particular conditions.

Allergies: Echinacea, Quercetin, Vitamin C.

Cardiovascular: NAD+, L-arginine, Magnesium, Ubiquinol.

Gastrointestinal: Glutamine, Licorice, Marshmallow, NAD+, Probiotics, Zinc, Slippery elm, St Mary’s Thistle, Turmeric.

Musculoskeletal & pain: Boswellia, Ginger, Magnesium, MSM, Omega 3: EPA, DHA, PEA & Turmeric.

Neuroinflammation: Curcumin, Saffron, NAD+, Probiotics, Withania.

Post-illness recovery: NAC, Glutathione Vitamin C, Ubiquinol, Zinc.

Suitability of supplements should always be reviewed by your healthcare practitioner as they might interfere with medications or certain medical conditions.