Inflammation is the body’s natural mechanism for self-repair—a built-in ability to keep the body healthy and strong. Chronic inflammation, on the other hand, can have adverse effects and potentially lead to disease.
Understanding how chronic inflammation damages the body, how to identify it, and what we can do to avoid and heal it are crucial for everyday health.
Chronic Inflammation Damages the Body’s Health
Inflammation is a normal response of the body’s immune system to external invasion. Acute inflammation can resist infection or heal wounds, responding to sudden physical injuries such as cuts on fingers. To help wounds heal faster, the immune system sends inflammatory cells to the site of the injury.Typical symptoms of acute inflammation include redness, pain, fever, and swelling. The body’s natural response to disease, injury, or infection usually subsides.
However, chronic inflammation indicates a system out of balance and can damage healthy cells, tissues, and organs, leading to diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and heart disease. For example, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory cells in the body attack joint tissue causing severe damage and even deformity.
Cancer Is Highly Associated With Inflammation
Research suggests that up to one-fifth of cancers are related to chronic inflammation.A review published in the international journal Cell showed that bacterial and viral infections that cause inflammation increase cancer risk by up to 20 percent.
Inflammatory responses are known to play significant roles in various stages of tumor development. These stages include initiation, promotion, malignant conversion, invasion, and metastasis. Inflammation can be triggered by various factors such as tissue damage, chronic infections, or environmental exposures, and it can contribute to the development and progression of cancer. In addition, inflammation can interfere with the immune system and affect treatment effectiveness.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, many diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, asthma, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis, are also associated with chronic inflammation.
How to Know if You Have Chronic Inflammation
Unlike acute inflammation, chronic inflammation often has no obvious symptoms. So how do you know if your body has chronic inflammation? Here are a few indicators according to the National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine:1. Pain
Body, joint, and muscle pain.2. Chronic fatigue and insomnia
Research shows that inflammation can cause chronic fatigue, which may be related to various inflammatory factors.3. Emotional disorders
If you often experience emotional disorders such as depression and anxiety in your daily life, it could be caused by chronic inflammation. In recent years, there has been growing recognition of the role of abnormal inflammatory processes in mood disorders, particularly in individuals with treatment-resistant conditions.4. Gastrointestinal complications such as constipation, diarrhea, and acid reflux
Constipation is more prevalent in the elderly. Research has shown that alterations in the gut microbiota composition may contribute to chronic low-grade inflammation in the gut. This inflammation can disrupt normal bowel movements and contribute to constipation.Unexplained diarrhea may be caused by inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
5. Weight gain or loss
Research shows that overweight and inflammation are interrelated. As weight increases, the level of C-reactive protein, an inflammatory marker, rises, increasing the risk of Type 2 diabetes.6. Frequent infections
Chronic inflammation may be the culprit of chronic or recurrent infections.Blood Tests for Chronic Inflammation
The following blood tests can confirm the presence of chronic inflammation:1. C-reactive protein indicator (CRP). Blood tests will measure a protein produced by the liver, CRP, which increases due to inflammation. In each liter of blood, a CRP level of one to three milligrams usually indicates a lower level of inflammation but still belongs to chronic inflammation.
2. Serum protein electrophoresis is a laboratory test that separates proteins in the blood based on their electrical charge and size. It is commonly used to show concomitant hypoalbuminemia and polyclonal increase in all gamma globulins (polyclonal gammopathy).
6 Foods That Can Cause Inflammation
Clinical nutritionist Lara Snead wrote in an article published on the Johns Hopkins Medicine website that inflammation can be caused by various factors, including exposure to environmental toxins, persistent viral infections, aging, and chronic stress. These factors can trigger and perpetuate an inflammatory response in the body. Diet is also contributing factor to inflammation.Ms. Snead recommends avoiding six types of foods for the prevention of inflammation.
1. High-sugar foods and drinks
Candy, syrups, soda, and sweetened beverages can cause spikes in blood sugar levels and contribute to weight gain.2. Trans fats
Commonly found in margarine, baked goods, and processed snacks, trans fats have been shown to promote inflammation and increase the risk of heart disease.3. Red meat and processed meats
Saturated fats in red meat and additives in processed meats have been associated with increased inflammation and contribute to higher risks of cardiovascular disease and certain cancers.4. Refined grains
Bread and pasta made from white flour, lack important nutrients and fiber.5. Fried foods
Foods such as French fries, fried chicken, and donuts are often cooked in unhealthy oils that are high in trans fats and saturated fats.6. Commercially prepared baked goods
High in refined flour, sugar, and unhealthy fats these types of foods can promote inflammation and contribute to weight gain.The Mediterranean Diet
Ms. Snead emphasizes that a healthy diet can help people eliminate inflammation and maintain health. She said that the Mediterranean diet is widely recognized as a healthy eating plan that has been associated with numerous health benefits, including reduced inflammation. The diet is inspired by the traditional eating habits of countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, such as Greece, Italy, and Spain.The Mediterranean diet emphasizes whole, minimally processed foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. It also includes moderate consumption of fish and seafood, poultry, dairy products (such as yogurt and cheese), and eggs. Red meat and processed foods are limited.
Studies have found that adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with lower levels of inflammatory markers, such as CRP, and a reduced risk of chronic diseases related to inflammation, including heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer.
