What Triggers Inflammation?
First off, we have to understand inflammation. So, we have to answer the question, what is inflammation? According to my research, “Inflammation is a process by which the body’s white blood cells and chemicals protect us from infection and foreign substances such as bacteria and viruses.” So what triggers inflammation, or what are the triggers of inflammation? Form what I have found, there are four basic triggers; trauma, deficiency, stress, and toxins. We’ll take a look at each of the four basic triggers, and then look at how we can deal with inflammation.
When we mention the word “trauma”, the first thing that probably comes to mind is an accident which causes some sort of serious or critical bodily injury. Trauma is typically associated with pain and suffering as a direct result of that injury. Even though most inflammation causes pain and/or suffering, inflammation can be a good thing, because inflammation is a natural part of the healing process. As a matter of fact, “without inflammation, wounds and infections would never heal.”
Our bodily cells are alive. They are called the “building block of life”, by many scientists. Cells are constantly changing, and they are directly affected by everything we do. They grow or change according to the foods we eat. Starving (deficiency) our cells of the proper vitamins, minerals, and nutrients causes our cells to become inefficient, even to the point where they break down. Thus deficiencies can and do happen, weakening the cells causing a chain reaction within our body, ultimately triggering inflammation.
Emotional stress can also cause inflammation. It’s been noted that in stressful situations our brain releases chemicals, stress hormones (adrenaline and cortisol), that trigger the release of many inflammatory processes.
Because of the widespread damage stress can cause, like inflammation, it’s important to know your own limit. However, how much stress is “too much” differs from person to person. Many individuals can roll with the punches, while others fall apart at the slightest sign of frustration.
Research points to the fact that we live in a toxic world, and that our bodies are swimming in toxins. Toxins are every where you turn. They are in every breath we take and the food that we eat. It’s been noted that some foods are contaminated with heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, or other chemicals.
I’ve even read that foods that carry toxic compounds “can cause the body to hold on to extra pounds by starting an immune reaction that causes inflammation.” Toxins created inside and outside our bodies are seemingly unescapable, which leads us to believe that there is no escape from inflammation producing poison.
Our bodies are truly amazing as it can respond to trauma, deficiency, stress and toxins with inflammation. As mentioned, inflammation is the bodies natural healing process, but where it all goes wrong is with runaway (chronic) inflammation wherein the body can’t shut it down causing auto immune, and many other, diseases.
So how do we keep inflammation in check? Some suggest that we should learn to become a partner with our bodies. We need to watch for the signs that can trigger inflammation. We should also reduce basic nutrient deficiencies by eating healthier foods and taking quality supplements. One aggressive inflammation fighter is found in the nutrient called Betalains, an ingredient in some inflammation fighting supplements.
According to health experts, we need to walk, run, stretch, and become more active. Activity and/or exercise in any form keeps your mind alert, blood flowing, and muscles moving. We also need to ease our emotional stress and learn how to relax. Anything we can do to help fight off the triggers that cause inflammation will help us live longer and healthier lives.
Jeffrey Sloe
TriVita Independent Business Owner, 12871028
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The above information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.