What is chronic inflammation?
There is already a difference between inflammation and chronic inflammation …
The scientific or “clinical” definition of inflammation is the body’s defense against damaging factors. So this is just the body’s natural defense against impostors like viruses, toxins and some bacteria. The affected area attracts white blood cells, which diffuse several defense substances to remove the cause of the damage and repair any damage to the cells.
The body therefore defends itself like a real pro, and in this sense the inflammation is positive. Except there is one exception: chronic inflammation.
Chronic means it is long lasting. Chronic inflammation is inconspicuous, silent and very treacherous. The signs are there, but they are so inconspicuous that you barely hear the body’s alarm cries (at least not at first).
What are the signs / symptoms of chronic inflammation?
- Unexplainable fatigue
- Sleeping problems
- Headache
- Hair loss
- Hair that turns gray prematurely
- Dandruff
- Pimples
- Unexplainable itchy skin or red spots
- Dry eyes
- Fragile nails
- A dry mouth, or vice versa -> too much saliva
- Low libido
- Irregular menstruation
- Constipation or chronic diarrhoea (inexplicable)
- Inexplicable osteoporosis
- Frequent infections and flu
- Frequent mental depression
- Shortness of breath
- Sweaty feet and hands
Obviously, just because you have any of these symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean you are chronically inflamed. There may be other reasons, such as having sweaty hands from stress or anxiety. But this list to show you that one can very well suffer from chronic inflammation without really realising it. (Because we tend to accept these ailments as “part of life” or normal)
And when we observe that, in countries which have adopted a Western lifestyle, diseases such as rheumatism, diabetes, ADHD, allergies and cancers explode, there is reason to ask yourself some questions.
Some of the most common chronic diseases are Alzheimer’s, type 2 diabetes and cancer.
Why it is cancer that develops in one person and diabetes in another is still unknown to us. But what is certain is that when you develop one chronic inflammation, you are much more likely to develop another.
In Ayurveda, the “digestive fire” AGNI is associated with the proper functioning of our body. A person who has too much “internal fire”, therefore an imbalance of the dosha pitta (for those familiar with Ayurveda) will develop inflammation. Observe the flame in the word inflammation, and therefore the link with internal fire. The body is a perfectly functioning magical “machine” which always seeks to create a balance. On the other hand, there are more and more unbalancing external factors. If the body is too destabilised and too much out of balance, it can no longer repair the delicate balance. And yet, if you listen to your body in time, and give it what it needs to restore that balance, it can perfectly heal itself.
A healthy, anti-inflammatory diet + a healthy lifestyle already works wonders. Many people were cured of cancer by simply changing their diet drastically. You just need to know what the cancer cells grow on and eat, and then abstain from eating these things in order to starve the cancer cells.
Let’s get back to the heart of the matter: chronic inflammation occurs when the immune system is depleted.
With each breath, the lungs fill with approximately 5 dl of oxygen. This oxygen is then distributed through the bloodstream to be transported to the cells – who need this oxygen to create energy. During this process vital energy is therefore produced, but also what we call free radicals.
When there are too many free radicals, they will damage cells and cause inflammation.
These free radicals are also formed by our lifestyle: when we do not take good care of ourselves, eat poorly, do not exercise, smoke or have too much stress, too many free radicals are produced. The body can no longer defend itself and the immune system becomes exhausted. This is when the inflammation becomes chronic.
The good news: antioxidants
Antioxidants are able to neutralise free radicals. Antioxidants protect cells from the damaging effects of free radicals. A small portion of these antioxidants can be formed in our bodies, but the older we get the less we produce.
From the age of 25 the body stops producing antioxidants. This is why it is so important to create a supply of antioxidants through food, in the form of fruits and vegetables, for example.
In addition, we now know that often chronic inflammation begins in the intestines. If we take good care of our gut and eat lots of antioxidants, we have a very good chance of completely reducing inflammation and regaining good health. Even if you have an unhealthy lifestyle (eg. you go to McDonald’s every day, you sleep poorly, you smoke, you are sitting behind screens all the time), there is hope. In principle, nothing is irreversible.
So how do you heal yourself or reduce chronic inflammation?
If we look at what Ayurveda offers (Indian medicine of more than 5000 years which is still as current today), we can reduce inflammation by eating herbs and spices that have a cooling effect (reduce internal fire), such as coriander, ginger ( fresh!), turmeric, fenugreek, cardamom, mint, Brahmi Gotokula, etc.
The internal fire is kept under control by eating what tastes sweet, bitter, and astringent. Be careful with the sweet! It’s the sweetness of some fruits and foods, but NOT refined sugar! Think of carrots, sweet potatoes, melons, plums, walnuts, basil, nutmeg, vanilla, etc.
In the next article, I will share with you the key foods that play such an important role in maintaining good health and a balanced body.
To conclude in a very simple way for today, I suggest that you already start your day with one super nutriment: Aloe pulp. Drinking a glass of the best quality Aloe pulp every day (30 to 60ml / day) will already help repair damaged cells, intestines, strengthen your immune system, help improve cell oxygenation, reduce any kind of inflammation and will hydrate you as much as 6 glasses of water.
Combine this habit with regular intermittent fasting and you will already feel so much better! The intermittent fasting provides rest / a break for the intestines and the body. A body that has to digest constantly is not rested and does not recover anymore, after a while.
And then one last thing: for your own good, take off your masks! I just explained to you at the beginning of this article that our cells need oxygen to produce energy and to defend themselves against external “attacks”.
Forcing an entire population to wear masks is just incomprehensible and absurd to me. On the other hand, deep and healthy breathing, combined with a healthy and anti-inflammatory diet, is what will heal us and prevent disease.
Take care of yourself on a daily basis, lower your stress levels, be active, be outdoors, live according to the seasons, eat local (and seasonal), get a sufficient intake of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, good fats, energised water, fresh air, … these are the only sustainable and effective keys in the long term for optimal health and longevity.
For a happy life too, as a matter of fact. Because everything is connected. A healthy body also creates a healthy mind. Mindfulness or meditation bring the balance back in the mind and balance emotional levels as well. This in turn will positively impact our physical body, etc.
Everything is connected.
But today the authorities and the media are not telling you about these super important facts. You might as some point think that they are conspiring against us, that they want us to be unhappy and unhealthy. I have my own idea on the matter 😉
In any case, I will not play along because when you inform yourself properly and you do your research, you know exactly what your body needs to stay healthy.
Listen to YOUR body and YOUR intuition, they know better than anyone else!
Want to know more about Aloe, pure pulp and its benefits?
Contact me by mail (contact@geraldinechapelle.be) and we’ll look at how Aloe can benefit you together.
Source: Food Pharmacy, Lina Nertby Aurelle & Mia Chase, Altamira
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