This process contributes to the rest of the organ when it is attacked by an external agent in case of infection. Respecting its acute course prevents it from becoming chronic.
- What is inflammation?
- Difference between chronic inflammation and immune response
- Why does chronic inflammation occur?
- How to treat inflammation?
- Anti-inflammatory diet: the keys
- Other Natural Remedies for Inflammation
- Plants with anti-inflammatory action
Any inflammatory process, which is named by adding the suffix -itis to the affected organ (appendicitis, gastritis, arthritis, bronchitis …) It is a global response of the whole organism to a traumatic situation for it such as the injury or destruction of own cells, even if it manifests locally.
Although inflammation can occur in any organ or tissue, the most frequent chronic inflammatory processes are expressed through:
- the respiratory system: rhinitis, sinusitis, bronchitis, asthma,
- the digestive system: tonsillitis, esophagitis, gastritis, hepatitis, ulcerative colitis,
- joints (arthritis)
- and the skin (dermatitis).
However, there is currently a lot of talk about chronic inflammation of the body, which is valued by the high number of inflammatory markers: substances that mediate inflammation that are released and participate in this process, present in the blood.
In chronic inflammation, the response that was expressed locally in a given organ with acute inflammations has acquired such intensity that it has become a process that is present through circulation in almost all corners of the body, and that creates a medium that facilitates the genesis of various pathologies such as cardiovascular, neurodegenerative (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s …), autoimmune problems, psoriasis, etc.
WHAT IS INFLAMMATION?
Inflammation is a defensive reaction of the organism and is characterized by the appearance of flushing, heat, tumor, pain and the consequent functional alteration.
Its objective, in addition to eliminating or isolating the irritant or pathogen and the cells it has damaged, is the repair of the injury produced.
The affected organ or area defends itself by increasing the arrival of blood (redness, flushing) and slowing down its circulation (increase in local temperature or heat), which facilitates the flow of elements to neutralize the aggression and combustion of morbid substances.
This congestion and blood stagnation allows the exit of the vessels and capillaries of substances (serum and chemical mediators) and cells (leukocytes) that act as a defensive barrier (swelling, lump, swelling or tumor).
At the same time, they force the functional rest of the affected tissue by activating the nerve endings present there (local pain).
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CHRONIC INFLAMMATION AND IMMUNE RESPONSE
The inflammatory reaction and the immune response typical of infections, allergies or autoimmune diseases are usually equated.
The two processes share mechanisms and are often linked: sometimes inflammation precedes immunity (allergic asthma secondary to an inflamed bronchial mucosa), and at other times immunity is prior to inflammation, as often occurs in many autoimmune diseases, such as arthritis.
The difference is that inflammation is nonspecific, has no memory of the aggressor and acts quickly against all kinds of substances, germs, and immunity is specific (it is directed towards a specific antigen or aggressor), and has a slower response but more adapted to aggression.
Simplifying, we could say that the inflammatory response is present in the immune system response (infections, allergies and autoimmune diseases).
Inflammation or chronic disease appears when the acute process is not completely resolved and is prolonged over time.
This can happen due to an insufficient response capacity of the organism to overcome the aggression (weak defenses or low immunity) or by a persistence of the cause that originates it.
WHY DOES CHRONIC INFLAMMATION OCCUR?
The causes of inflammation can be multiple and varied. The continuity of these causes, or the body’s poor response capacity to defend itself from them, are what can turn acute inflammation into chronic.
Bacteria, viruses and parasites that invade the body are one of the most frequent reasons for the inflammatory response that manifests itself in infections, such as chronic tonsillitis.
Heat, cold, radiation, electrical stimuli or simple but repeated mechanical trauma (chafing on the shoe for example) can be agents that injure or irritate tissues and awaken the inflammatory reparative response. The cells themselves destroyed by these aggressions increase the inflammatory reaction.
External irritating substances that we incorporate into our body such as those present in tobacco, alcohol, coffee, varnishes and paints, environmental pollutants, etc. can produce an inflammatory reaction that is initially expressed in mucous membranes of respiratory and digestive tracts, but later, when entering the blood, can also act on the arteries (thromboangiitis obliterans or Buerger’s disease, typical of smokers) or other tissues.
There are also internal irritants, such as excess pepsin or digestive acids as a necessary response to digest very complex foods such as meat daily or due to sustained stress, or excess uric acid and other metabolites resulting from the digestion of some of these foods, can lead to gastritis or metabolic diseases of inflammatory component such as gout.
The central nervous system coordinates and directs all organic reactions, and chronic inflammation is one of them. In turn, the nervous system is influenced by the emotional situation of the person.
There are studies that show that anxiety and stress favor inflammation, since they circulate substances that participate in this process. The treatment of emotional conflicts can largely correct this problem.
Dietary imbalances, especially fat and protein overfeeding, which results in an increase in the deposit of substances in the body (fat in adipocytes, and this together with proteins in the walls of the arteries hindering the exchange with cells and retaining in the blood large amounts of glucose, water, uric acid, lipids, insulin…).
They are the origin of obesity and the so-called “metabolic syndrome” so fashionable today and that brings together problems such as diabetes (increased blood glucose), hypertension (increased fluids in the blood), gout (increased uric acid), hypercholesterolemia (increased fat), etc., typical of adults but that are spreading in the child population.
All these substances if deposited to an excessive degree in the body cause a pro-inflammatory effect, as a defensive response to an abnormal situation (demonstrated in cases such as adipocytes), and although it is not appreciated externally, it does contribute to the appearance of a multitude of pathologies.
For example, we are working on the hypothesis that many chronic diseases of the so-called autoimmune may be the result of small modifications of own cells induced by the different substances of pro-inflammatory effect that circulate in the blood.
Asymptomatic chronic intestinal inflammation increases the permeability of the digestive barrier and allows the entry of substances and molecules much more complex than the body is prepared to receive.
The appearance in the body of these foreign substances, such as small polypeptides foreign to the body of complex proteins such as those of cow’s milk, are considered one of the possible causes of the chronic inflammatory response of allergic type.
HOW TO TREAT INFLAMMATION?
As we have mentioned, chronic inflammation is the response to an aggression that remains in the body for a long time without being resolved.
This response, initially defensive, healing and restorative, if not heard or well interpreted can become a source of health problems.
That is why before any acute inflammatory process it is essential to identify the aggression to avoid it, and accompany the organism in its healing process.
If we do not act like this and simply administer as treatment medications or symptomatic products such as anti-inflammatories, which what they do is suppress this healing and restorative response, the process is still active becoming chronic in a situation in which the organism ends up accommodating to the aggression, living with it and mobilizing defenses that are systematically aborted by suppressive treatment.
Therefore, sometimes, the only way to solve a chronic pathology is to achieve its exacerbation, suppressing the causes and releasing again the healing forces that are expressed with all their vitality (redirected with natural resources) in what in naturopathic medicine are called healing crises.
This is what happens, for example, when a chronic dermatitis that has been suppressed with anti-inflammatory medication such as corticosteroids, reappears after a while when making a cleansing cure and elimination of toxins, and needs a series of changes in habits, dietary, phototherapeutic, emotional support, etc. for its definitive solution.
However, in most cases, the recognition and withdrawal of the agents or substances causing the inflammatory or pro-inflammatory effect makes the healing crisis much milder or even does not occur.
Just as it is a mistake to treat inflammatory processes only with anti-inflammatories, so is directing this treatment to a single organ, since inflammation is a global process that can manifest itself locally.
It does not make sense to treat chronic asthma exclusively with bronchodilators if we do not modify the diet, reduce tensions, decongest the lymphatic system, protect the liver, etc., measures aimed at eliminating the factors that generate inflammation and recovering the balance that can keep the person healthy, freeing him from other pathologies associated or of common origin to asthma, such as rhinitis, bronchitis, anxiety…
Preventing and treating chronic inflammatory processes requires eliminating the causes that generate inflammation and supporting the body in its task of tissue and emotional cleansing and reconstruction.
In some cases, it is advisable to use for a while the suppressive and symptomatic treatments of conventional medicine (anti-inflammatories, bronchodilators …), until the body can assume, with the help of natural resources, complete control of the process.
Do not be overwhelmed by temporarily maintaining a medication that we know that in the long run does not cure, but that helps to pass a situation that would otherwise be difficult to control.
Psychophysical techniques such as yoga, tai chi, sophrology, visualization, etc., as regulators of the connection between mind and body that they are, can play a very active role in the prevention and treatment of chronic inflammatory processes, being also very useful in the control of pain.
The science of psych neuroendocrine immunology gives us more and more information on the importance of good emotional balance to obtain good body health.
For this same reason, the resolution of emotional conflicts, in collaboration with a good professional, is a recommended task.
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DIET: THE KEYS
Although every patient with a chronic inflammatory process needs personalized advice, there is a basic preventive and inflammation-moderating anti-inflammatory diet useful in all cases.
Its objective is not to suppress the body’s defensive response, which is inflammation, but to eliminate the factors that produce and multiply it, cleanse the tissues and promote tissue reconstruction.
Let’s look at the main features of the anti-inflammatory diet:
- The diet in general should be low in calories, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and nuts, with moderate consumption of legumes, which regulates weight and decreases the deposit in the blood and tissues of substances that can stimulate a pro-inflammatory effect.
- It has been proven that a well-planned vegetarian diet, especially without dairy or eggs, meets these requirements, purifying and reducing inflammation thanks to the antioxidants and other phytonutrients it contains.
- It seems that the regulatory effect of inflammation increases if the proportion of raw foods (juices, fruits, salads) is highlighted, at least a third, because heat can alter or destroy some of these protective substances.
- In addition, raw foods are very useful in inflammatory processes because they have a great regenerative power of cells and tissues, due to their richness in ferments and enzymes that accelerate the reconstruction processes.
- It is very important that all the oils used are obtained from first cold pressing and also biological.
- Vitamin C (citrus fruits and fresh vegetables) and vitamin E have inflammation-regulating properties.
- The recommended amount of daily vitamin E (8 to 10 mg daily), inhibits the excessive production of COX-2 and therefore prostaglandin E2 and inflammatory cytokines.
- Foods rich in this vitamin are vegetable oils of first cold pressure (especially wheat germ), oleaginous nuts, seeds and whole grains.
- Copper, in general, helps control inflammation, as do selenium, zinc and manganese, all of which are powerful antioxidants. A vegetarian-leaning diet is rich in these trace elements, but treatment can be reinforced with preparations that contain them and others more specific to each expression of inflammation.
- Milk and dairy products, due to their allergenic components, are also pro-inflammatory products. In this same situation are additives, preservatives, etc., and as such should be moderated.
- White sugar, due to its immunosuppressive capacity (decreased activity of leukocytes) and because it is a thief of vitamins, minerals and trace elements, is not advisable.
- Suppressing individual toxic habits, such as tobacco, alcohol and coffee, is especially advisable, especially in inflammatory processes of the respiratory and digestive tract, but also in arthritis, dermatitis … for being responsible for irritation and inflammation.
- Foods with a lot of fiber (vegetables and whole grains) and raw foods should be avoided in the crisis phases of people with chronic inflammatory digestive processes, especially intestinal (ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease …).
- The digestive mucosa needs a very soft and above all astringent diet (lemon juice, boiled white rice, peeled and grated raw apple, cinnamon that is astringent and hemostatic …).
- The fiber of the algae for its richness in mucilage and antacid action can be taken. After the gastroenteritis phase and digestion stabilized, it would be convenient to move to the basic anti-inflammatory diet described above.
FATS AND INFLAMMATION: WHICH ARE MORE SUITABLE?
Inflammatory problems may be related to an excess of omega-6 fatty acids and a deficit of omega-3.
Omega-3 are found in the fats of oily fish (mackerel, herring, sardines, salmon …), in vegetable oils of first cold pressure (flax, walnut, wheat germ, soy …) and in the foods from which they come.
Soybeans, their smoothie (soy milk) and tofu also contain a significant proportion of omega-3s.
As or more important than providing nutrients that the usual diet is deficient, is to moderate the foods that favor inflammation.
For example, those that contain an excess of omega-6, from which arachidonic acid of pro-inflammatory effect is produced, such as pork and eggs.
PURIFYING VEGETABLE BROTH
The naturist dietetics advises in all these cases a vegetable broth called anti-inflammation, with a great purifying, mineralizing and decongestant power.
Ingredients:
- 6 medium onions
- 2 green celery branches
- 3 or 4 carrots
- 1 apple
They are boiled for an hour over low heat, without oil or salt, in two and a half liters of water. It is strained and the liquid is stored in the refrigerator in a glass or stainless-steel container.
It is taken warm twenty minutes before the three main meals with the juice of a freshly squeezed lemon.
Other vegetables can be added: a head of garlic or three leeks in cases of arthritis or painful joint or muscle processes, three or four green leaves of lettuce when there is an important component of anxiety due to its sedative effect …
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DIET: THE KEYS
Although every patient with a chronic inflammatory process needs personalized advice, there is a basic preventive and inflammation-moderating anti-inflammatory diet useful in all cases.
Its objective is not to suppress the body’s defensive response, which is inflammation, but to eliminate the factors that produce and multiply it, cleanse the tissues and promote tissue reconstruction.
Let’s look at the main features of the anti-inflammatory diet:
- The diet in general should be low in calories, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and nuts, with moderate consumption of legumes, which regulates weight and decreases the deposit in the blood and tissues of substances that can stimulate a pro-inflammatory effect.
- It has been proven that a well-planned vegetarian diet, especially without dairy or eggs, meets these requirements, purifying and reducing inflammation thanks to the antioxidants and other phytonutrients it contains.
- It seems that the regulatory effect of inflammation increases if the proportion of raw foods (juices, fruits, salads) is highlighted, at least a third, because heat can alter or destroy some of these protective substances.
- In addition, raw foods are very useful in inflammatory processes because they have a great regenerative power of cells and tissues, due to their richness in ferments and enzymes that accelerate the reconstruction processes.
- It is very important that all the oils used are obtained from first cold pressing and also biological.
- Vitamin C (citrus fruits and fresh vegetables) and vitamin E have inflammation-regulating properties.
- The recommended amount of daily vitamin E (8 to 10 mg daily), inhibits the excessive production of COX-2 and therefore prostaglandin E2 and inflammatory cytokines.
- Foods rich in this vitamin are vegetable oils of first cold pressure (especially wheat germ), oleaginous nuts, seeds and whole grains.
- Copper, in general, helps control inflammation, as do selenium, zinc and manganese, all of which are powerful antioxidants. A vegetarian-leaning diet is rich in these trace elements, but treatment can be reinforced with preparations that contain them and others more specific to each expression of inflammation.
- Milk and dairy products, due to their allergenic components, are also pro-inflammatory products. In this same situation are additives, preservatives, etc., and as such should be moderated.
- White sugar, due to its immunosuppressive capacity (decreased activity of leukocytes) and because it is a thief of vitamins, minerals and trace elements, is not advisable.
- Suppressing individual toxic habits, such as tobacco, alcohol and coffee, is especially advisable, especially in inflammatory processes of the respiratory and digestive tract, but also in arthritis, dermatitis … for being responsible for irritation and inflammation.
- Foods with a lot of fiber (vegetables and whole grains) and raw foods should be avoided in the crisis phases of people with chronic inflammatory digestive processes, especially intestinal (ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease …).
- The digestive mucosa needs a very soft and above all astringent diet (lemon juice, boiled white rice, peeled and grated raw apple, cinnamon that is astringent and hemostatic …).
- The fiber of the algae for its richness in mucilage and antacid action can be taken. After the gastroenteritis phase and digestion stabilized, it would be convenient to move to the basic anti-inflammatory diet described above.
FATS AND INFLAMMATION: WHICH ARE MORE SUITABLE?
Inflammatory problems may be related to an excess of omega-6 fatty acids and a deficit of omega-3.
Omega-3 are found in the fats of oily fish (mackerel, herring, sardines, salmon …), in vegetable oils of first cold pressure (flax, walnut, wheat germ, soy …) and in the foods from which they come.
Soybeans, their smoothie (soy milk) and tofu also contain a significant proportion of omega-3s.
As or more important than providing nutrients that the usual diet is deficient, is to moderate the foods that favor inflammation.
For example, those that contain an excess of omega-6, from which arachidonic acid of pro-inflammatory effect is produced, such as pork and eggs.
PURIFYING VEGETABLE BROTH
The naturist dietetics advises in all these cases a vegetable broth called anti-inflammation, with a great purifying, mineralizing and decongestant power.
Ingredients:
- 6 medium onions
- 2 green celery branches
- 3 or 4 carrots
- 1 apple
They are boiled for an hour over low heat, without oil or salt, in two and a half liters of water. It is strained and the liquid is stored in the refrigerator in a glass or stainless-steel container.
It is taken warm twenty minutes before the three main meals with the juice of a freshly squeezed lemon.
Other vegetables can be added: a head of garlic or three leeks in cases of arthritis or painful joint or muscle processes, three or four green leaves of lettuce when there is an important component of anxiety due to its sedative effect …
