Douse The Flames

By Stacie roSe

Ever cut your finger or scrape your knee? Of course, you have. You might experience what feels like a whoosh or rush of blood to that area. It might feel hot to the touch, but you can rely on the body’s healing powers.

When a person’s system feels under attack from an injury, virus, bacteria or an invasive toxin, the immune system gets ready to fight. Inflammatory cells activate and try to begin healing. This inflammatory response is a good thing, a little miracle worthy of appreciation. However, living in a state of chronic inflammation is another story altogether and can be worrisome.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ACUTE AND CHRONIC INFLAMMATION? Acute inflammation occurs to combat trauma to the body and usually does not last very long. You may experience pain, swelling and heat at the sight of the injury. Chronic inflammation may be more challenging to detect and linger for months or even years. Clues may be skin rashes, joint pain, fever, abdominal pain, chest pain or fatigue. WHY IS TOO MUCH INFLAMMATION PROBLEMATIC? Picture yourself in a constant state of fight or flight, your adrenaline soaring, your blood coursing through your body, sweat pouring down like rain. Pretty stressful, right? These are vital functions of the body that can be necessary at times. But living in an agitated state 24/7 would be exhausting and cause complete fatigue and depletion. Similarly, inflammation has its time and place as you would not want

to be rolling through life like a ball of fiery inflammation. You’ve heard that too much of a good thing can be very bad. Nothing could be more accurate in this case. Some illnesses associated with chronic inflammation are Alzheimer’s disease, asthma, cancer, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, COPD and allergies. Many reasons to take inflammation seriously.

SO, WHAT CAUSES INFLAMMATION ANYWAY? Many things can get inflammation started, such as disease, a painful hit to the body, food or lifestyle choices. Solid nutrition can play a huge role in keeping inflammation at bay. Sometimes it’s a matter of making small, positive changes. Other times a complete shift and a more mindful way of looking at health is necessary.

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY You may have heard about the benefits of an “anti-inflammatory diet.” Think olive oil, nuts, leafy greens, wild salmon, sardines, berries, beets, dark chocolate, citrus fruits and tomatoes. Green tea and coffee have also been considered helpful to the cause, which is good news for those who rely on that morning boost! There are also adaptogens like holy basil, turmeric, ginseng and ashwagandha that may combat inflammation. Many holistically-minded health-seekers and healers believe that these non-toxic plants can help fight inflammation. The herbs and roots can be cooked into soups and stews, brewed in teas and taken as supplements. Many of these plants have been utilized in Chinese and Ayurvedic healing traditions for centuries. Looking for an easy-to-follow roadmap to set you on an anti-inflammatory path? The Mediterranean Diet has often been considered an excellent and healthful way of approaching food.

Unfortunately, a litany of foods and substances can create and perpetuate inflammation. Fast foodies will be disappointed! However, it’s better to be bummed out in the short term than to be sick and tired and headed for a life of health problems. You may have already guessed that fried foods, refined carbs like white flour, cakes and cookies, sugar in general, processed meat, soda, margarine and alcohol can be really harmful. It’s good practice to steer clear of processed, pre-packaged products and opt for whole foods whenever possible. Moderation is key here. In the TRY A LITTLE MINDFULNESS Too much stress and not enough sleep has been linked to inflammation. Smoking is another culprit. There are so many ways to mitigate anxiety and overwhelm and to achieve more rest. Yoga and meditation can be healing, calming ways to destress the body and mind and positively influence the sleep cycle. Adding movement to your life through yoga, Pilates, biking, hiking, walking, or strength training can have a significantly positive impact. There are mindfulness apps galore out there now. Salvation may be at your fingertips. Writing, dancing, making music, cooking, gardening, and practicing gratitude can deeply help the cause. If you feel you might have a sleeping disorder, you might consider speaking with your general practitioner or pulmonologist. If anxiety is taking over, there is always help through counseling and therapy. In other words, you’re precious, so take good care.

TRUSTING YOUR INTUITION Listen to your body. Many things can cause you as an individual to have inflammation. Moisturizers, shampoos, makeup, house cleansers and detergents have many ingredients that can cause skin irritation and even inflammation. Look out for toxic cleaning products and foods with dyes and chemicals. In the words of Hippocrates, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” Remember that the things you put in your body and on your body matter. The choices you make can have benefits or consequences. You are the master of your ship. As you move through life, remember to trust your body, use your intuition, and embrace your bioindividuality. What works for someone else may not work for you. Health is wealth and every day is a gift. So, look out for signs of inflammation and treat yourself with love and kindness.

Stacie Rose is a singer/songwriter, mother, producer, lover, blogger, integrative nutrition health coach, holistic lifestyle influencer and free spirit. She’s super passionate about making music, writing and helping others create sustainable wellness.

RBARI held a wonderful benefit luncheon at the Capital Grille in Paramus. For more information, visit www.rbari.org.

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