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Inflammation

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What Is Inflammation

Inflammation is the body's basic response to injury, irritation, or infection.

The body responds to injury, infection, foreign subsistence such as bacteria and viruses by releasing chemicals and white blood cells into the area in an attempt to rid the body of these foreign substances. This release of chemicals increases the blood flow to the area and may result in redness and warmth. Some of the chemicals cause leakage of fluid into the tissues, resulting in swelling. The inflammatory process may stimulate nerves and cause pain.

It is for the purpose of initiating tissue repair.

Inflammation and Autoimmune Disease

The immune system can sometimes malfunctions, interpreting the body's own tissues as foreign and producing antibodies or immune cells that target and attack particular cells or tissues of the body. This response is called an autoimmune reaction. It results in inflammation and tissue damage. Such effects may constitute an autoimmune disorder, but some people produce such small amounts of autoantibodies that an autoimmune disorder does not occur.

Inflammation can also be caused by autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system responds to normal tissues as if they are infected or somehow abnormal and causes damage to its own tissues.

Causes of Inflammation

Toxins, allergies, autoimmune diseases, infections, acid-base disorders, injury, and free radical damage can trigger or cause inflammation.

Heart and cardio-vascular disease may be a result of inflammation in the linings of the arteries.

Symptoms of Inflammation

Symptoms of inflammation include pain, swelling, red coloration to the area, and sometimes loss of movement or function.

Food that Promote Inflammation

Food high in sugar and processed foods promote inflammation.

Food and Supplements that Reduces Inflammation

A good diet of whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and high in fiber reduces inflammation.

Evening primrose oil, flaxseed oil, and fish oil, Omega-3 essential fatty acids are very powerful anti-inflammatory and olive oil is another type of oil that reduces inflammation.

Pineapple contains bromelain and papaya contains papain, both enzymes that reduce swelling and inflammation.

Citrus fruits can reduce acid-base disorders.

Turmeric (curcumin), Bromelain, Boswellia, Aloe vera, Bilbery, Cat’s claw, Garlic, Vitamin C can help reduce inflammation and all anti-oxidants and destroyers of free radicals can help reduce inflammation.

Good connectivity tissue repair supplements such as B complex, Zinc, Silica, Horsetail, and Cat’s claw may also help; speak to a natural healing professional.





About.com - Guidance. Not Guesswork
MayoClinic.com - Mayo Clinic medical information and tools for healthy living
Merck.com - The Merck Manuals: A trusted source for medical information available free online
UltraWellness.com - Functional Medicine and UltraWellness: Solving the Epicemic of Chronic Disease

Last Updated ( Sunday, 21 February 2010 10:18 )