Inflammatory diseases
From Wikiwel
Inflammation is a common concern today, due to its clear link to many chronic diseases. "Inflammation" comes from the Latin word, "inflammatio" meaning "set on fire". It is essentially an elevated immune response –whether to a pathogen, damaged tissue, or chemical irritant-- which is identified by the "Four Cardinal Signs": redness, heat, swelling, and pain. Sometimes, "loss of function" is added to make five. Acute inflammation is part of the body’s natural immune response, but chronic inflammation can lead to more damage over time. Inflammation is induced by chemical mediators called cytokines, which are produced by damaged cells. The most commonly discussed inflammatory cytokines are:
- Tumor Necrosis Factors (TNF)
- Interleukin-1beta (IL-1B)
- Interleukin-6(IL-6)
The transcription factor NF-kB is also very important in controlling inflammation.
When there is inflammation, TNF, IL-1B, IL-6, and NF-kB increase.
In fact, many anti-inflammatory herbs and natural products inhibit TNF, IL-1B, IL-6, and NF-kB to one degree or another.
Now, foods and lifestyle factors can also increase inflammation. These include:
- Lectins in food
- Obesity (fat cells produce TNF)
- Sleep deprivation
- High blood glucose levels
- Lack of exercise
- Smoking
- Not eating enough fruits and veggies
- Th1 or Th2 dominance (e.g. allergies, asthma, eczema, autoimmune diseases)
- Eating too much sugar and refined foods
- Excess alcohol
- Too much exercise
- Free radical damage
- UV irradiation
- Oxidized LDL (bad cholesterol particle)
- Bacterial or viral infection
- Cocaine
- Infections
See also : Anti-inflammatory
Symptoms
Alphabetical List of Inflammatory diseases
Foods to avoid
- Sugars : Excessive sugar intake causes tooth decay and has been linked to increased risks of obesity, inflammation and chronic diseases such as metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. Recently, it has also finally been proven that sugar, as well as dairy, are the causes of acne.
- Common Cooking Oils : Common vegetable cooking oils used in many homes and restaurants have very high omega-6 fatty acids and dismally low omega-3 fats. A diet consisting of a highly imbalanced omega-6 to omega-3 ratio promotes inflammation and breeds inflammatory diseases like heart disease and cancer. Find them in: Polyunsaturated vegetable oils such as grape seed, cottonseed, safflower, corn and sunflower oils. These industrial vegetable oils are also commonly used to prepare most processed foods and takeaways.
- Trans Fats : Trans fatty acids are notorious for their double whammy effect: they increase the levels of ‘bad’ cholesterol, while lowering levels of the ‘good’ cholesterol. But that’s not all they can do. They have also been found to promote inflammation, obesity and resistance to insulin, laying the ground for degenerative illnesses to take place. Find them in: Deep fried foods, fast foods, commercially baked goods and those prepared with partially hydrogenated oil, margarine and/or vegetable shortening.
- Dairy Products : Pro-inflammatory Agent: As much as 60% of the world’s population can’t digest milk. In fact, researchers think that being able to digest milk beyond infancy is abnormal, rather than the other way round. Milk is also a common allergen that can trigger inflammatory responses, such as stomach distress, constipation, diarrhea, skin rashes, acne, hives and breathing difficulties in susceptible people. Find them in: Milk and dairy products are as pervasive as foods containing partially hydrogenated oil or omega-3-deficient vegetable oil.
- Feedlot-Raised Meat : Commercially produced meats are feed with grains like soy beans and corn, a diet that’s high in inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids but low in anti-inflammatory omega-3 fats. Due to the small and tight living environment, these animals also gain excess fat and end up with high saturated fats. Worse, to make them grow faster and prevent them from getting sick, they are also injected with hormones and fed with antibiotics. The result is one piece of meat which you and I shouldn’t be eating.
- Red Meat & Processed Meat : Researchers at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine found that red meat contains a molecule that humans don’t naturally produce called Neu5Gc. After ingesting this compound, the body develops anti-Neu5Gc antibodies – an immune response that may trigger chronic inflammatory response. Low-grade, simmering inflammation that won’t go away has been linked to cancer and heart disease. The link between processed meat consumption and cancer is even stronger. In the 2007 report by the World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research, processed meat has been stated as a convincing cause of cancers of the colon and rectum, and possibly of the esophagus and lungs too. Processed meat includes animal products that have been smoked, cured, salted or chemically preserved.
- Alcohol : Pro-inflammatory Agent: Regular high consumption of alcohol has been known to cause irritation and inflammation of the esophagus, larynx (voice box) and liver. Over time, the chronic inflammation promotes tumor growth and gives rise to cancer at the sites of repeated irritation.
- Refined Grains : A lot of the grains we eat nowadays are refined. They are devoid of fiber and vitamin B compared to unpolished and unrefined grains that still have the bran, germ and the aleurone layer intact. This makes refined grains as good as refined sugars, which are practically empty calories. And like refined sugars, refined grains have a higher glycemic index than unprocessed grains and when they are consistently consumed, can hasten the onset of degenerative diseases like cancer, coronary disease and diabetes. Find them in: Products made from refined grains are almost everywhere. The common ones are: white rice, white flour, white bread, noodles, pasta, biscuits and pastries. To make things worse, many products with refined grains undergo further processing to enhance their taste and look, and are often loaded with excess sugar, salt, artificial flavors and/or partially hydrogenated oil in the process. A prime example is boxed cereals which contain substantial amounts of added sugar and flavorings.
- Artificial Food Additives : Some artificial food additives like aspartame and monosodium glutamate (MSG) reportedly trigger inflammatory responses, especially in people who are already suffering from inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.
- Allergens : It is meant the food that you’re sensitive to. Many people are sensitive to certain foods but are totally unaware of it. Unlike food allergies whereby symptoms usually come fast and furious, symptoms caused by food intolerance may take a longer time to manifest. Consequently, when symptoms of food intolerance do appear, they are often brushed off as common minor ailments such as tiredness and headaches. But repeated, long-term exposure to food that irritates can cause inflammation and lead to chronic disease. Find them in: Common food allergens are gluten, milk, nuts, eggs and nightshade vegetables. Contrary to common belief, it is possible to develop an allergy to the foods that you eat often
Home remedies
- Diet : Yoga, meditation, and sleep are important when fighting inflammation, however, nothing shows to be as dramatic as eating an alkaline diet. This includes plenty of raw fruits and vegetables, lightly steamed greens, properly prepared gluten-free whole grains, sprouts, green juices, healthy anti-inflammatory fats from avocados, soaked raw almonds, flax, chia, and hemp seeds. Pomegranates, blueberries, turmeric, and ginger are also high in anti-inflammatory properties and contain antioxidants to benefit the body even further.
- Potassium : When we eat a lot of potassium-rich foods (Plant-based diets) our adrenal glands secrete more glucocorticoids to keep our potassium levels in check, which may have the side effect of decreasing the level of inflammation in the body.
- Astaxanthin is a red pigment found in different strains of algae, phytoplankton and plants. The substance is known to be the most potent known antioxidant, it has a natural and scientifically proven anti-inflammatory ability.
- a natural enzyme supplement, known as serrapeptase offers help for allergies, asthma, arthritis, MS, and other inflammatory diseases.
- Camu camu may fight inflammation and oxidative stress.
- Boswellia is a tree resin that has traditionally been used in India to treat rheumatism, ulcers and skin disorders. Research shows it has anti-inflammatory activity.
- The active constiuents of chamomile have anti-inflammatory properties.
- olives are rich in anti-inflammatory ingredients called hydroxytyrosol and oleocanthal. In 2005, a study conducted by Monell Chemical Senses Center found these two compounds to have anti-inflammatory effects,
- the power of 3 natural extracts : white tea, Witch Hazel and rose stops destructive inflammation, fights cancer and prevents aging.
- Aloe Vera contains plant sterols that are powerful Anti-inflammatory agents.
- berberine rich herbs are effective in lowering blood sugar levels, clearing inflammation and healing mucous membranes. In oriental medicine the right combinations of berberine herbs, such as gardenia, scute, coptis, and phellodendron, have been used for centuries to cure a broad range of inflammatory disorders.
- Healing Saint : St. Benedict
Warnings
Chronic inflammation could lead to (partial list):
- Aging
- Cancers of all kinds
- Autoimmune & Inflammatory disease
- Heart Disease
- Diabetes: Type I & Type II
- Obesity
- Chronic Pain
- Major Depression
- Brain fog
- Insomnia
- Fatigue
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn’s Disease & Ulcerative Colitis)
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Arthritis
- Migraines Headaches
- Allergies, Asthma, COPD
- Degenerative Brain Diseases: Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, ALS
- Osteoporosis
- Eczema & Psoriasis
- Kidney disease
