nflammation is a biological, protective
response that’s designed to tackle damage,
pathogens or irritants in a short-term process.
But factors in modern lifestyles lead to chronic
inflammation, which is the basis for many
diseases. Medical researchers have even
coined the term ‘inflammaging’ to describe
the inflammatory conditions that start to
manifest as we age. Risk factors include high
stress and lack of stress management; lack of restorative sleep;
lack of exercise; bad lifestyle choices, such as drinking, smoking,
and destructive behaviours that include recreational drug taking,
bad sleep habits, and bad food choices.
Chronic inflammation interferes with the body’s natural anti-
inflammatory mechanisms, such as the stress hormone cortisol,
which is designed to stop substances being released in the body
that cause inflammation. However, when it is released continually,
it raises blood sugar levels and creates an inflammatory
cascade – your body’s immune system and anti-inflammatory
mechanisms are always switched on,
which hampers your ability to fight disease.
Managing stress is key to controlling the
inflammatory process.
During sleep your body repairs and heals
itself in ways it cannot when you are awake.
Restorative sleep is essential to reduce
inflammation, a certain amount of which is
just a by-product of being alive. Make sure
your room is at a comfortable temperature
and completely dark, and try to get to sleep
early as often as possible. At least seven to eight hours a night
is optimum. Don’t keep your phone in the bedroom. Avoid
chemical sprays such as air fresheners and plug-in mosquito
repellents as these toxins will need to be eliminated, which
wastes energy that should go towards repairing the body. If you
don’t consume liquids after 7pm you should be able to last the
night without getting up to go to the loo.I
HOW TO
CONTROL
BY NUTRITIONAL THERAPISThealth
INFLAMMATION
ALMOST EVERY
DISEASED STATE
IS ROOTED IN
INFLAMMATION, BUT
YOU CAN TAKE STEPS
TO COUNTER IT.Chronic inflammation
interferes with
the body’s natural
anti-inflammatory
mechanisms, such as the
stress hormone cortisol.SALLY-ANN CREED