Anti Inflammatory Diet- The Fire Within
What is inflammation?
Inflammation is literally defined by its Latin origin, "inflammatio - to set on fire". This is logical given that the main signs of inflammation are redness, heat, swelling, pain and/or loss of function. Essentially inflammation is like a small biological fire designed to "burn away" an irritation or tissue damage.
Inflammation is your body's response to any harmful agent: something that can cause disease (e.g. bacteria, virus); an allergen or other irritant; or tissue damage anywhere in the body. Inflammation acts as a potent defense system to protect us from foreign pathogens and stimulate tissue healing. The ultimate goal of inflammation is to seal off the area, kill the invaders, remove damaged tissue and cells, and rebuild the area.
Although inflammation is designed to defend and repair the body, the process is a double-edged sword as it may injure as well as heal. The immune system's ability to launch an adequate inflammatory response is critical to survival; without it wounds and infections would never heal. When the immune system is balanced, inflammation is self limiting and largely beneficial. However, excessive or out-of-control inflammation is an important factor in creating and/or aggravating disease processes.
Furthermore, igniting the inflammatory response is linked to triggering the stress response, both of which are essential to our survival. Stress and inflammation cause rapid and massive alterations in our biochemistry to protect us in times of trauma. Initially, a state of emergency is created, which then goes on to co-ordinate healing, rest and repair, mediated via pain signals and "sickness behaviour", in order to recover and restore health. Unfortunately, inflammation is not always self-limiting and the smouldering embers of the original fire may linger beyond the healing process to cause chronic tissue damage and disease.
Pain is your body's smoke signal
We often think of inflammation as a result of injury due to sprains, strains, cuts and grazes, insect bites and stings, which produce localised pain, swelling, redness and heat. However, when inflammation is happening internally it is not so easy to detect. What we do know, though, is that inflammation is a key driver of many chronic, degenerative conditions. Many elements of our modern lifestyles can perpetuate and exacerbate inflammation, including:
- psychological stress
- toxicity
- poor dietary habits
- drug and alcohol abuse
- low levels of physical activity.
These elements may not immediately represent obvious causes for an inflammatory response. However, the body is compelled to try and manage these constant low grade threats by maintaining a smouldering level of inflammation that can ultimately have devastating effects on your health.
You may not even be aware that you are inflamed. You may think that those aches and pains that you feel when you wake up in the morning are a sign of old age. Pain is your body's way of telling you that you are inflamed. Many of those aches and pains that you feel regularly may be a sign of inflammation within your body. Almost all chronic pain is a result of inflammation - including arthritis and other joint, back and muscle problems, digestive disorders like irritable bowel disease and many types of headaches.
Chronic diseases such as dementia, fatigue, heart disease, obesity, arthritis, asthma, depression and autoimmune disease may appear unrelated, but they all share the common underlying state of inflammation.
Effective natural anti-inflammatory and pain relief options
One in four Australians and New Zealanders are currently using pain medications, making these the most commonly used medications in Australia and New Zealand. There are many pharmaceutical anti-inflammatories that are immensely effective in alleviating pain and inflammation. However, some may cause adverse side effects and people are still in chronic pain; their medication is not providing adequate relief.
Fortunately nature has provided us with many remarkable herbs, which have been used traditionally for centuries for acute pain and inflammation. Some of these are:
- Turmeric has anti-inflammatory actions and has traditionally been used in herbal medicines to reduce the pain and swelling of arthritic and rheumatic conditions.
- Boswellia has analgesic, anti-rheumatic and antiinflammatory actions, for all types of pain, but specifically for arthritic or traumatic pain associated with inflammation.
- Ginger has traditionally been used as an antiinflammatory for arthritis.
- The combination of hops, rosemary, and olive leaf can also provide excellent long-term anti-inflammatory relief for chronic pain and inflammation. This combination may assist in relieving the pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis and rheumatism, and is safe to take longterm. Modern formulations containing these ingredients can be rapid in their action, often reducing symptoms within a few days.
Ask us today about combinations of the above
herbs and nutrients
which are available now from
our clinic.
Food has the power to produce or reduce inflammation
Fruits, vegetables and good fats from fish and nuts all help to reduce inflammation, whilst other foods can increase inflammation. Inflammatory foods include high sugar foods, heavily processed foods that are high in colours, flavours and other artificial ingredients and foods that are high in certain fats, such as many processed and fastfoods.
Foods that decrease inflammation: | Foods that increase inflammation: |
Fruit and vegetables, |
Sugary foods |
Most herbs and spices |
Trans and saturated fats |
Good fats from fish, nuts, flax and olive oil |
Artificial colours, flavours and preservatives |
Eight simple steps to reduce inflammation
To help reduce inflammation and achieve wellness there are eight simple dietary targets you need to aim for:
- Choose fresh foods over highly processed foods.
- Eat a protein rich food with each meal or snack eg, tofu, poultry, seafood or lean meat.
- Eat a minimum of three cups of vegetables daily.
- Eat two servings of fruit daily.
- Keep refined carbohydrates to a minimum (eg: white bread, pasta, white rice), opting for wholegrains instead.
- Include nuts, seeds and healthy oils in your diet.
- Avoid excess alcohol, sugar and salt.
- Drink a minimum of eight glasses of water daily.
Taking a safe, scientifically-proven, natural anti-inflammatory formula and following these simple dietary and lifestyle tips will help to reduce your pain and inflammation and help you live life to its fullest potential. Don't let inflammation slow you down any more - ask us today for advice!
How to Beat Pain and Inflammation
With personalized tonics to heal you, professional support to guide you and knowledge to empower you, the energy and inspiration to turn your health, life and weight around is at your fingertips.
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Your Intensive 90 Day Diet ...
- Identifies & address the underlying causes of your pain and inflammation
- Explains the importance of healthy balance for women of all ages
- Establishes antibodies and assists in restoring balance
- Identifies genetic weakness
- Provides a direct referral for further testing and interprets the results
- Applies a 100% natural targeted strategy to assist healthy hormone balance
- Helps to restore natural hormonal balance function in just 90 days!
Your Body Needs Help!
My 90 Day Diet is designed to boost your body with the RIGHT foods and nutrients to help you FINALLY get better again and lose the weight.
It is your turn to finally end the constant battle with your hormones and win the battle with your weight.
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