Inflammation at the root of most modern diseases

Inflammation is the normal response of the human body to injury or infection and a major component of healthy healing.

The five signs of inflammation (redness, stiffness, heat, swelling, and pain)  that characterize the classic reaction of inflammation guarantee that three of your body (immune, circulatory, and hormonal) systems are actively working to boost the efficiency of its defenses and to speed and repair of the damaged tissue.

Most if not all modern diseases are of chronic (silent) proinflammatory origin- starting with heart disease, stroke, atherosclerosis, chronic kidney disease, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, autoimmune diseases, and finishing with cancer. Other proinflammatory diseases are: asthma, chronic prostatitis, allergies, glomerulonephritis, hypersensitivities, inflammatory bowel disease, osteoarthritis, vasculitis, transplant rejection, and many others.

Metabolic syndrome, represented as the "deadly quartet" of lipid, metabolic and anthropomorphic disturbances, is also associated with chronic, despite latent inflammation leading to his final  prothrombotic stage. (Source, NH-WC "Beyond Holistic") As typical proinflammatory disease, with elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, metabolic syndrome can lead to premature and rapid aging, obesity, diabetes, gout, kidney failure, Alzheimer's disease, hypertension, and atherosclerosis, with chances for future precipitation of acute vascular complications- heart attack, stroke, and deep venous thrombosis.

When inflammation turns into pathology? The pathological inflammatory process occurs when the body  defense system runs out of control, being either too overactive or too underactive. When an overactive immune response appears-- we face allergies, rheumatoid arthritis, Type 1 diabetes, asthma or autoimmune diseases. When a underactive immune response is encountered - we suffer of frequent infections and cancer.

Inflammation creates illness when it continues beyond its normal limits or serves no purpose. It is often unwelcome feature of autoimmunity, and a major component of any muscle-skeletal disease. Medical doctors treat inflammation with anti-inflammatory drugs known under the term "non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs" (NSAIDs), which can injure the stomach, and corticosteroids, which can cause secondary suppression of the immune system.There are multiple herbal and dietary formulas as an alternative to pharmaceuticals also. Despite not as quick and poverful, the use of several vitamins, antioxidants, digestive and systemic enzymes, several minerals, and other nutrients are known as beneficial in healing the reaction of acute and chronic inflammation.

Mechanism of Inflammation: The process of inflammation is strongly regulated by a group of mediators (hormones) called "prostaglandins." Some prostaglandins intensify the proinflammatory response while others reduce it. Aspirin, ibuprofen, and other non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs work on the prostaglandins system in order to fight the reaction of inflammation.

You can also affect this system by an anti-inflammatory diet, specifically by the kinds of fats you do or you don't consume, since the body makes prostaglandins from fatty acids. Generally, omega-3 fatty acids tend to decrease inflammation while omega-6 fats and trans-fats increase inflammation. Botanical treatments for decreasing reaction of inflammation include Curcuma (turmeric), Ginger, Boswellia serrata, Goldenseal, Oregon grape, Coptis, Barberry and many others.

Biomarkers for Inflammation: According to several published data, people with highest levels of C-reactive protein, homocysteine, and interleukin 6 -important biomarkers of acute and chronic (systemic)inflammation are more likely to die of cardio-vascular disease (CVD) comparatively to people without lower biomarkers. Recent study (Elkind et al., 2009) shows results that high-sensitivity C-reactive protein may predict mortality but not stroke). One should know and remember that he may feel healthy, but if chronic inflammation is lurking inside his body, then he is in a trouble.

C-reactive protein (CRP):  As described, CRP is a globulin that appears in the blood in certain acute inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatic fever, bacterial infections, and neoplastic (cancer) diseases. While elevated CRP is not a disease- it is a symptom that signals that something is going wrong inside the body and needs your careful attention. CRP is synthesized by the liver in response to factors released by the adipocytes. (Source, Wiki).

Homocysteine is an amino acid with proinflammatory history. Since 1984, clinical studies started to report a link between high levels of homocysteine and severe atherosclerosis involving the main arteries in the human body. The higher the homocysteine levels are- the greater the risk of developing coronary artery disease. It appears that the mechanism is the following: excessive concentrations of this amino acid in blood may damage the endothelium that lines the arteries( heart, brain, and/or legs), The same amino acid may also activate the clotting system promoting formation of clots that serve as the trigger for most heart attacks. (Source,Wiki)

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a proinflammatory cytokine. It is secreted by the T cells and the macrophages as an immune response to trauma (burns or other tissue damage) leading to inflammation. Again the real concern is not the inflammation in its acute phase per se (as that is a completely normal healing response to injury, infection or insult), but the chronic quiet inflammation that slowly but securely destroys your organs, and leads to degenerative disease or preliminary and rapid aging.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-@) is a central proinflammatory biomarker that is generated in a wide variety of immune reactions, including some forms of chronic kidney disease. 

What are the causes of inflammation?

1. Wrong "proinflammatory" diet- sugar,sugary foods, refined foods, white flours, trans- fats.
2. Lack of exercise.
3. Lack of sun during the winter, especially in the North.
4. Previous degenerative illnesses with significant decline in the immune system.
5. Chronic stress, depression or/and disability.
6. Frequent infections (viruses, bacteria, yeasts or parasites).
7. Hidden allergens from food or in the environment- lactose, gluten and others.
8. Toxins such as mercury, lead, heavy metals, pesticides.
9. Mold toxins and allergens 
 

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Anti-inflammatory diet