Good Vs. Bad Inflammation

All this talk about reducing inflammation in the body.  "Eat this, or that," say the advocates of a particular food, "and you will reduce inflammation in the body."  Or, "Don't eat that, it causes inflammation."  However, is all inflammation a bad thing?  Let's explore.

There are actually two basic kinds of inflammation. Acute inflammation, and chronic.  The first is actually useful. This is the type that comes about when you hit your head, or sprain your knee, for example.  The white blood cells and mast cells that rush to the injury speed up the healing process.  This type of acute inflammation is part of your body's defense against trauma, infection, or illness.  It is showing that your body is attempting to heal itself.

Collard greens.  A known fighter of chronic inflammation in the body.

This is why attempting to reduce swelling to an injury is not necessarily the best thing to do.  For instance, if you are working with a hammer and nail, and accidentally hit your finger, it will swell up pretty fast.  Swelling tends to partially immobilize the area, acting similar to a naturally occurring cast.  Not only are repairing cells working on it, but fluid is being provided to hold it in place to minimize further damage.

Another mistake people make when they get acute inflammation is to take an anti-inflammatory, like an NSAID.  While this may help alleviate the pain, it can, in many cases, slow down the healing process.  Another example is taking Tylenol to reduce your fever.  This should only be done when the fever is dangerously high.  A fever is the body's attempt to kill the invading virus or bacteria via heat.  Eliminating your fever will postpone your recovery time.  This sort of inflammation is constructive. 

Acute inflammation can, in some cases last for a period of a few weeks.  In some cases, reducing the inflammation may be necessary, depending on its severity.  Consult your physician if you think this might apply to you.

Chronic inflammation is the second type.  This is the type the nutritional community refers to when they speak of inflammation.  Unlike acute inflammation, this type is very destructive the longer it persists. The cause and effect of things like frequent bloating, slight swelling, stiffness, exhaustion, are not immediately apparent to the sufferer.  There was no injury or immediate trauma, yet their joints or muscles ache.  This is the result of an accumulation of stress in the body.  It can be caused by poor physical habits like posture and ergonomics, bad repetitive habits like improper lifting of objects, and poor diet.

Chemicals in processed food lead to inflammation, as do an excess of foods with a high glycemic index.  Foods that are high in Omega-6 and trans fats contribute to high stress of the body as well.  Eating whole, natural foods, especially a large percentage of fresh fruits and vegetables has been shown to reduce inflammation.

The practice of general good health habits will help you to have a low amount of chronic inflammation in the body, as well as optimize the performance of acute inflammation when trauma presents itself, due to a strengthened immune system.  Practice good posture, exercise regularly and properly, and reduce or eliminate processed foods, replacing them with whole, fresh fruits, vegetables, and meat.