Chronic Infl ammation, Pain & Disease: Combating Them Naturally


Part 1 By J. Erika Dworkin, Certifi ed Lifestyle Educator


In the classic response to injury or infection, the injured area becomes red, swollen, hot, and painful. But, there is another type of infl ammation that is not so obvious. This silent infl ammation refl ects an underlying low-grade stimulation of the infl ammatory process with no outward signs of infl ammation. The only time that it becomes apparent is when the blood is tested for markers of infl ammation…


- Michael T. Murray, ND & Joseph Pizzorno, ND


The Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine - 3rd Edition


avoid the potential side effects of over-the- counter and prescription anti-infl ammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, prednisone, and cortisone? Learning about infl ammation, and how to combat it through lifestyle modifi cations, is a key means of beginning your healing process.


A


What is Infl ammation? Infl ammation is an acute or chronic response to damage caused to the body. Many factors contribute to the complex course of infl ammatory reactions, and the pain associated with it results from the overworking of the body’s normal defense system. However, not all infl ammation is bad. Acute infl ammation can be critical to keeping the body safe, such as when it arises in connection with healing cuts, burns, other physical traumas, infections, and allergies. However, according to Michael Murray, ND, chronic and systemic low-grade infl ammation (or “silent infl am- mation”), is a “major factor in the devel- opment of virtually every major chronic degenerative disease, including cardiovas-


34 Natural Nutmeg - October 2017


re you in pain? Have you been diagnosed with a chronic condi- tion or disease? Would you like to


cular disease, allergies, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease.” Silent infl ammation is also a key element in over- weight/obesity, osteo/rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, dermatitis (psoria- sis, eczema, skin cancer), bowel disorders (IBS, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis), and psychological imbalances (depression, anxiety, ADHD).


The Conventional Approach While a wide variety of prescription


and OTC drugs address the symptoms caused by infl ammation, none actually prevent it, and they all have potential side effects, including: (1) Corticosteroids (Cor- tisone, Prednisone): can cause long-term pain, glaucoma, cataracts, hypertension, weight gain, increased risk of infections, and high blood sugar; and (2) NSAIDs (ibu- profen, naproxen, aspirin, Celebrex): can cause kidney and liver failure, increased intestinal permeability and stomach ulcers, edema, prolonged bleeding, and serious cardiovascular risk (Celebrex).


When seeking a practitioner’s help


with any infl ammatory condition, request a blood test for C-reactive protein (CRP) (or a high-sensitivity CRP test, which yields results in 25 minutes), which indicates the amount of infl ammation in the body but does not diagnose a specifi c disease. In certain cases, anti-infl ammatory drugs may be indicated. Each patient should review his specifi c condition with his medical practitioner and weigh a recommended drug’s risks and benefi ts.


The Natural Approach Reducing or eliminating debilitat-


ing chronic infl ammation often does not require anti-infl ammatory medications. Holistic practitioners generally maintain that a healthy diet strategy and certain dietary supplements (high quality and in the


The oversimplifi ed acid-alkaline theory


of disease, which maintains that excess acid accumulation in the body causes many diseases, aligns with the guidelines of an anti-infl ammatory diet. Since it is also widely believed that acid-forming foods cause infl ammation, the dietary goal is to consume more neutral and alkaline-produc- ing foods. [Unfortunately, not all experts agree on the acid/alkaline categorization of a number of foods. Also, impact on the body can range from highly acidic (pH well below Neutral 7.0) to highly alkaline (pH well above Neutral 7.0, with varying levels of each in between.]


Keeping in mind that there is a dif- ference between acidic and acid-forming foods (some acidic foods actually alkalize


right doses) can minimize infl ammation, thereby easing pain and even preventing age-related and other diseases.


Anti-Infl ammatory, Alkalizing Diet Preventing and reducing infl amma- tion must begin with an anti-infl ammatory, high-alkaline diet. A “healthy diet” in this context: (1) excludes saturated, hydroge- nated, or trans fats (beef, pork, lamb, duck); (2) minimizes simple carbohydrates (foods with a high glycemic index that quickly convert to acid-forming sugar in the body: sweets; pasta; bread; potatoes; rice), choles- terol, and alcohol ; and (3) includes higher levels of monounsaturated fats (soaked nuts and seeds, olive oil), omega-3 fatty acids (especially from certain wild, cold-water fi sh) and as many high-fi ber, organic, raw (unprocessed) foods as possible, such as low-sugar fruits (berries and apples), le- gumes (especially sprouted black and navy beans), and a large variety of dark green and cruciferous vegetables (kale, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, caulifl ower) (of- ten referred to as the “Mediterranean Diet”).


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