Inflammation is a vital immune response that plays a protective role in the healing process following injury, exposure to pathogens, cell damage, or toxins. For instance, if we happen to cut ourselves, the immune response triggers redness, pain, heat, and swelling in the affected area, aiming to minimise infection risk with the infiltration of immune cells and mediators to facilitate healing. This acute inflammation is rapid and typically resolves within a few days once healing has taken place.

Conversely, chronic inflammation can develop gradually over many years and often remains insidiously and seemingly asymptomatic. If left unaddressed, chronic inflammation can give rise to various health issues, including immune dysfunction, joint discomfort, fatigue, lethargy, period pain, acne, and weight gain. Additionally, it heightens the risk of cardiovascular disease and other complications, so managing chronic inflammation is crucial for maintaining overall health and preventing long-term health challenges.

In this modern day, we all have a little bit of inflammation…  Despite this, the way we eat and live can either contribute or counteract inflammation. 

Contributors to inflammation:

External – Diet, alcohol, excessive gluten, sugar, dairy intake, smoking (vaping), chronic environmental chemical exposure, too much high intensity exercise. 

Internal – Poor lymphatic drainage, blood sugar imbalance, chronic stress, gut issues, and microbiome imbalance. 

What can we do to reduce inflammation?

• Adopting a whole food anti-inflammatory diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices. The Mediterranean diet stands out as one of the most effective anti-inflammatory dietary approaches.
• Minimising the intake of foods that promote inflammation. Especially processed foods that contain seed oils (soy, canola, sunflower oils), as well as excessive consumption of sugar, alcohol, gluten, and dairy. It's not necessary to completely eliminate these items (unless discussed with your healthcare provider) but being mindful of your frequency of consumption in your diet is beneficial.
• Exploring anti-inflammatory compounds from herbs and supplements (I've got you covered on this one!). Incorporating these into your routine can contribute to a more comprehensive approach to managing inflammation.
• Addressing drivers of inflammation such as gut imbalance, blood sugar dysregulation, chronic stress, and lymphatic congestion. 
• Gentle exercise and lifestyle support, along with lymphatic massage and drainage to support the removal of toxins. 

Inflammation serves as an underlying driver in many health issues that patients present with in the clinic. It plays a role in hormonal imbalances and often diminishes quality of life by causing increased fatigue and lethargy. As we address the root causes of inflammation and incorporate interventions to downregulate it, most people experience a real improvement in their well-being. If you find yourself in need of support, please don't hesitate to reach out and schedule a discovery call. Your journey towards feeling amazing again can begin with the right guidance and tailored interventions to your individual needs.

Written by Holly Hatton. Holly is our in-house Naturopath available Mondays and Wednesdays from Newport.