We all know that inflammation can be healing. Do you remember the time you had an injury or an infection caused by some virus or bacteria? Swelling, fever, pain and redness would have been some of the acute inflammatory signs. These are caused by white blood cells rapidly moving to the affected area to protect the tissues from pathogens and damage. The process takes a few weeks while the body gets over the trauma and then everything goes back to normal. So acute inflammation is a pretty good mechanism to have in our healing toolbox.

However, there is another inflammatory scenario, one in which chronic inflammation sets in and begins to burn our body. This type of inflammation is not healing as it usually takes place in the absence of pathogens or injuries. In this case, the immune system mistakenly activates a destructive type of blood cells and they begin to eat away at tissues and organs. Importantly, chronic inflammation does not produce acute symptoms, so we can get used to it as our body gradually catches fire and burns.

Now how would you know you might have chronic inflammation? Well, almost any chronic condition or complaint can be traced back there. Fatigue, weight gain, swelling, muscle pain, joint pain, numbness, headaches, mental confusion, acne, eczema, psoriasis, PMS, polycystic ovaries, IBS, Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, asthma, allergies, cancer , lupus, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s… As you can see, the list is practically endless. In short, if you suffer from something chronically, chances are your body is experiencing chronic inflammation.

Fortunately, chronic inflammation can be managed very successfully with lifestyle changes. Here, you only have 2 rules to follow. First, eliminate the substances and habits that cause inflammation. Second, add substances and habits that are anti-inflammatory. In that order! For example, knowing that smoking is pro-inflammatory while meditation is anti-inflammatory, you can’t expect to reduce inflammation by meditating between cigarettes. You need to quit smoking first, and that will account for 80% of your results. Then you can start meditating to add the final 20%.

Now, let’s look at the main things that trigger inflammation:

• Sugar, grains, starch, soybeans, seed oils, processed foods, alcohol, and cigarettes
• Overweight
• Some cosmetics and environmental chemicals
• Stress, anger, worry, aggravated relationships
• Late dinners and late nights

Rather, here is a list of things that reduce inflammation:

• Turmeric, ginger, garlic
• Vitamins and other antioxidants, Omega-3 fatty acids, Boswellia
• Meditation and other practices to reduce stress.
• Skipping dinner, going to bed early, exercising properly

To recap, if you want to tackle chronic inflammation, start at the top of the list and work your way down. Start with your diet! Adding garlic to your takeout plate and washing down your sugary dessert with a multivitamin shake just isn’t enough. Roll up your sleeves and get the crap out of your life. Make room first, and then start adding anti-inflammatory treats. Of course, the process may seem difficult at first. But the more you do it, the more you will want to do it, as you will be charging your body with strength, vitality, and life force.