Inflammation is a normal immune response that helps protect the body against injury and infection. However, when inflammation becomes chronic or excessive, it may have detrimental effects on your gut health and overall wellbeing. Here's an overview of what can happen when the body experiences prolonged inflammation:
Joint pain and stiffness – Inflammation creates heat and aggravation, and has the ability to trigger immune cells to
attack the tissues in joints, leading to pain, redness and stiffness. This may be seen in conditions like Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Fatigue - Inflammatory molecules, named cytokines, may enhance a feeling of tiredness and sluggishness. Chronic
inflammation often leads to ongoing feelings of fatigue.
Fever - Systemic inflammation may raise your body temperature, resulting in mild or high fevers depending on severity.
Gut health issues - Inflammation compromises the integrity of the gut wall, therefore allowing bacteria, toxins and
partially digested food to leak into the bloodstream. This may contribute an array of symptoms such as headaches and brain fog, abdominal
pain, gas and bloating, food intolerances, autoimmune conditions, infections and more.
Redness and swelling - Acute inflammation visibly manifests as redness, warmth and swelling around an injured or infected
area as white blood cells rush to the site to try to begin the body’s natural healing process.
Weight gain - Excessive inflammation may prompt the body to store fat due to the negative impact on hormones, resulting
in stubborn weight gain and difficulty losing weight.
Skin problems - Inflammation has been shown cause or exacerbate certain skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and
acne.
Depression and anxiety - Inflammatory molecules interact with neurotransmitters in the brain, worsening mood disorders
like depression and anxiety.
Chronic inflammation is now believed to be the root cause behind most modern chronic diseases. Here are some dangers of unchecked
inflammation:
Heart disease - Arterial inflammation may lead to atherosclerosis, blood clots and heart attacks. Inflammation thickens
and stiffens blood vessel walls.
Diabetes - Insulin resistance arises when inflammatory cytokines block insulin action. Pancreatic beta cell function
declines more rapidly.
Cancer - Inflammation creates an environment that promotes the growth and spread of cancer cells while damaging healthy
DNA.
Neurodegeneration - Chronic inflammation in the brain is linked to cognitive decline, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's
diseases. Inflammation damages the neurons – the information messaging vehicles throughout the body.
Weakened immunity - While acute inflammation activates the immune response, prolonged inflammation paradoxically
suppresses certain immune cells and functions.
Accelerated aging - Inflammation leads to oxidative stress and cellular damage, speeding up the aging process across all
body systems.
As outlined above, excessive chronic inflammation, may have far-reaching consequences for nearly every aspect of your health. The good news
is that making gut health, nutritional and lifestyle changes will go a long way to help support the easing of your body’s chronic
inflammatory response, allowing your body to self-adjust, self-regulate, and where possible, self-heal.
If you're interested in reaching your gut health and overall wellness goals, click HERE for
a COMPLIMENTARY 20-Minute Gut Health and Nutrition Discovery Session. We’ll discuss
your health situation and find the best option for you to reduce inflammation, restore balance and cultivate vibrant wellbeing.
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