The fact is that while the occasional acute attack of inflammation due to injury or illness will not do any long-term damage to the body, ongoing cases that become chronic in nature (lasting 6 months or longer) can turn into contributing factors in the progression and onset of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other conditions.
As of 2020 statistics show that 3 out of every 5 people die worldwide from diseases linked directly to inflammation. This should be a warning sign for the world.
We wanted to give you the necessary tools to fight back and win taking control of your health.
Choose an anti-inflammatory diet – Drop the fast food, sodas, candy, processed foods, dairy, and canola oil. Make the move to fresh foods – fruits, veggies, lean meats, nuts, lots of pure water, and healthy fats like coconut oil and avocados.
Exercise – Movement is needed daily by the entire body. Take breaks from work and get up and stretch and move. Make sure to get out and walk or go to the gym and get some cardiovascular heart pumping moves in at least 3 times a week.
Manage your weight and watch what you eat – sugar is a big contributor to obesity as well as inflammation. The more you can cut it out of your diet the better off you will be. This goes for processed sugar, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Artificial Sweeteners (Though they are in diet labeled foods they actually make you hungrier). Fructose (fruit) is just fine.
Get enough sleep – Sleep has become elusive in today’s fast paced stressful society. Chronic sleep issues leave you lacking energy and feeling unproductive. It is an extreme danger to heart health. If you have problems sleeping it is important to see your doctor. A few quick suggestions to follow are:
- Try to go to bed at the same time each night so your body falls into a routine.
- Do not watch TV in bed. Use your bed only for sleeping.
- Turn off all ambient lights. When you have light on, even with your eyes closed, it can disturb REM sleep.
- Wake at the same time every morning or set a goal to do so.
- Don’t eat 2 hours before bedtime.
- No caffeine later in the day.
- If you have problems falling asleep try listening to a meditation, calming music, or white noise machine. This is very helpful if you have tinnitus as well.
- Use an alarm clock, not your phone. Leave your phone away from the bed. This prevents you from wanting to glance at it at night as well as getting you away from the electromagnetic frequency.
Quit Smoking – Many smokers believe that since they have been smoking for years, quitting won’t do any good. The damage must be already done. While of course it has had an effect on your body, especially over time, stopping can cause dramatic positive changes within the body. In just weeks inflammation caused by smoking can simmer down and allow your body a much-needed respite.
Cut back on alcohol – Alcohol is a double-edged sword. 1 drink a day has been shown to help lower inflammation. That is only if you can cut it off at just 1. Level up to 2 drinks and it goes over that magical tipping point where it eggs on inflammation.
Conquer stress – Chronic unchecked stress can cause inflammation even if no other triggers are present. That’s right. Stress can cause flare ups of cardiovascular disease, thyroid disease, diabetes, dementia, IBS, arthritis, and even depression. Stress is horrible for your body and mind. The more you can eliminate it from your daily life the better off you will be.
If you truly want to feel good and maintain optimal health for the duration of your life an anti-inflammatory diet is the way to go. No one says you can’t treat yourself once in a while but it’s really in your best interest to keep it occasional.
Visit the office of Kaster Chiropractic at www.kasterchiropractic.com to learn more or come in for your own health and wellness evaluation. 239-332-2555. Serving Southwest Florida located in Fort Myers, Fl.