Over the past four years I’ve done a lot of basic studying about health: standard stuff, natural stuff, and crazy stuff!

The one thing that keeps popping up in my research is our immune system and how it relates to inflammation. Basically, our immune system is our body’s defense system, and when exposed to something like a harmful bacteria or virus it will attack it with antibodies (along with other things). That’s why you can’t “get” the same exact virus twice – it’s because your body has the antibodies that will kill the virus, it’s like it remembers! That’s what vaccines are based on, and why you don’t keep passing the same exact cold around to family members. Once you got it – you got it. That’s all well and good – but what if your body senses something that is not actually a bacteria or virus and then attacks it?

Inflammation is another part of the body’s natural healing process. For example, when you cut yourself, the area around the cut gets red, warm, and swollen. This is your body’s natural response which enables your cells to travel to the area and repair it. Inflammation also happens internally – which is a good thing – if all is working properly.

When the body is not working properly people can develop a chronic inflammatory disease – because the immune system reacts to something that is not actually a disease. In some cases the person will develop an autoimmune disease (where the body starts attacking itself). In other instances a person can “just” experience chronic inflammation in response to something they are eating, breathing, putting on their skin – basically just exposing themselves to. Examples of chronic inflammatory diseases are: celiac disease, hypothyroidism, lupus, irritable bowel syndrome, arthritis, psoriasis, and fibromyalgia!!

Chronic inflammation can cause considerable damage to the tissues of the body (think arthritis). Chronic inflammation can also be in the intestinal tract and be the cause of irritable bowel syndrome. When it gets in the intestines it’s really bad because that messes with people’s brains. People get depressed, tired, emotional, and can totally change a personality!

Reducing internal inflammation can be as easy as removing the irritants. It is almost like removing a splinter from the skin. While the splinter is there, the body will create more and more inflammation until the splinter is pushed out. As soon as the splinter is gone, the healing process can begin. Toxins and waste products are irritating to the body. Decreasing the toxins brought into the body and assisting the body in eliminating waste products can lead to a reduction in pain and inflammation.

Even though I am healthy, I know that inflammation is one thing that can get me. I have familial history of hypothyroid problems and arthritis. And I definitely don’t want any of these to get a foothold.

So, I found a pretty good beginner list of how to stop/prevent inflammation. It’s not exhaustive, but it covers a lot of ground and is basic enough for someone just starting to examine natural health to understand.

Here is it:

Tips to reduce internal inflammation

1. Drink water to carry away waste products

The body needs water to carry away waste products. Clean water instead of coffee or soda gives the body clean water in the bucket to do its cleaning with. Drink plenty of water everyday.

2. Avoid foods that cause allergies or sensitivities that cause inflammation

These foods, which vary person to person, cause inflammation in the intestinal tract by stimulating the immune system. By eliminating the foods the body has made antibodies to, the inflammatory chemicals decrease and there are fewer toxins in the body.

3. Regulate the immune system with proboitics and calm down inflammation

Sixty percent of our immune system is based in our intestines. By tonifying the immune system in the intestines, inflammation calms down.

4. Increase your intake of essential fatty acids

Deep water fish (or wild fish) are a great source of essential fatty acids.

5. Eat hormone- and antibiotic-free meats, poultry and fish to avoid toxins

Meats that are raised with hormones and antibiotics retain these chemicals even when cooked. The body then needs to process and eliminate them while digesting the food. By avoiding these toxins, you lessen the burden on your body.

6. Eat a whole foods diet high in vegetables, fish and whole grains to detox and heal

Vegetables contain natural antioxidants and minerals that are necessary to decrease inflammation. Brightly colored vegetables are very high in vitamins and minerals that the body can use to detoxify and heal.

7. Avoid inflammatory foods

These foods include coffee, chocolate, dairy, sugar, potatoes, corn, peanuts, and wheat. All these foods are difficult for the body to digest and create inflammation.

See what happens. With less inflammation, your pain will decrease and your body will heal more effectively. And you will experience numerous additional benefits from these simple dietary changes.

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