What You Can Do to Fight Inflammation
By Sara Butler
When you're injured, inflammation is your body's defense. It rushes blood and nutrients to the place where you're hurt to protect it and to help it heal. In those instances, inflammation is a good thing. But when your body is experiencing chronic inflammation, it's not good for you at all.
Chronic inflammation isn't always something that you can feel, but it is something that can harm your overall health and wellness. Chronic inflammation has been linked to chronic diseases such as heart disease and strong. But there is something you can do about it.
Here are some healthy habits you can establish each day to help you fight back against chronic inflammation and stay healthy.
Focus on Dental Health
If you ignore your dental health, then you're ignoring your overall health. The mouth is full of bacteria, which is needed for the digestive process most of the time. But inflammation or infection in the gums and teeth can have serious consequences for your overall health if the bacteria gets in your bloodstream. It can trigger chronic inflammation that is bad for your heart, your brain, and even your joints.
Brush your teeth each day and take the time to floss, too. You also may want to focus on how much sugar you're eating and cut down if it's too much to help ensure dental health. And see your dentist regularly, too!
Eat More Spices
Spices are good for you. They taste good and also contain compounds that can help to fight chronic inflammation. Add spices like ginger, cinnamon, and turmeric to the foods you eat to reap the anti-inflammatory benefits. It doesn't take much, either. Research has shown that as little as a quarter of a teaspoon can provide the anti-inflammatory impact that you're looking for.
Eat Fermented Foods
The microbiome that lives in your gut is vital to your overall health and helping to reduce chronic inflammation. Keeping the microbiome healthy isn't as complicated as you may think, either. Simply making sure to eat certain foods can go a long way and some of the best are fermented foods.
Fermented foods such as kimchi, kombucha, miso, sauerkraut, kefir, tempeh, and yogurt can introduce balance to your microbiome and help the good gut bacteria to thrive. This can improve your overall health and fight inflammation in a tasty way!
Inflammation is the silent enemy, so do what you can to fight back.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Mission Viejo, Calif.