The Shocking Truth that Stress and Inflammation- not your Genes- Control your Destiny!
Proven tips and strategies to STOP IT!
Diet and exercise control something called inflammation – which is born from stress. Now if there is no stress in your life, then you don’t have to read the rest of this article.
Where you aware that inflammation is the possible cause of 80 – 90{15aeb35eec840799df247626cfa6821cb9499241e90aba7a245c8546144fd8f4} of diseases in the body? Another way of saying this is to say that the reaction the body has to un-channeled, unfocused chronic stress is synonymous with inflammation. This low-grade inflammation that very people think about, know about, is the demise of our health!
Stress/inflammation can lead into such common disease as Alzheimer’s, allergies, Arthritis (yes, all of the over 100 types), heart disease, MS, cancer, IBS, ulcers, skin disorders, migraines – and the list goes on.
Theories of where does inflammation start have been postulated from dendritic cells, to Eosinophils, to B-Cell development to CD4 and CD8 Effector cells and then which systems mediate and keep the inflammation process accelerating including: immunoglobins, prostaglandins,Chemokines ( Interleukin-1, or IL-2, or IL-12, or Il-17, or IL-23 in Autoimmunity). Wheeeeew!
All of this research point to one simple fact: the medical/research community is baffled by the complete process of inflammation.
This article is not to give you a crash chemistry lesson, but to assure you that one of the most profound answers to 21st century health care is much simpler than you think. Well, in that simplicity – it reveals ultra complexity!
In my research and in my own experience of surviving cancer, autoimmune disorders, arthritis, and multiple surgeries and infections from those surgeries, I am here to tell you that nothing……Nothing….will ever help you to heal and recuperate your health more than training the mind/body with the easiest being exercise or movement based therapies.
Genes aren’t your Destiny!
If fact if you have a disease – you can guarantee that inflammation from stress plays a huge part in its development and/or exacerbation. And no, you can’t just blame your genes anymore. Genetics plays less than 20{15aeb35eec840799df247626cfa6821cb9499241e90aba7a245c8546144fd8f4} of your disease. Genes are not your destiny…!!!
Emotions, Diet, exercise (or the lack thereof), and stress control your destiny!
In other words, your mind…or your reactions to your internal /external environment – processed by the mind are your destiny.
Movement is key to a healthy mind and body. Bodhidharma, way back in the 5th and 6th century found this out when the monks he was trying to teach to become enlightened by meditation, could not hold a single point thought because their body was so deconditioned. Your body is designed to move, work and then rest and relax or meditate – a Yin / Yang balance.
The Life History of Inflammation
A brief summary of how inflammation starts and continues in the body:
· Stress causes an increased output of cortisol from the adrenal glands which fuels inflammation.
· Lack of sleep places a stress on the body with an inability to recuperate from previous days stressors.
· Too much fat, sugar, preservatives, processed and fast foods, sodas and energy drinks as well as over-proportioned amounts of fatty meat.
· An imbalance of organisms in your gut causes your immune system to overreact. H pylori is a bacteria in the stomach that contributes to inflammation and the development of ulcers. H pylori is present in 50{15aeb35eec840799df247626cfa6821cb9499241e90aba7a245c8546144fd8f4} of adults over 60 years old and in 20{15aeb35eec840799df247626cfa6821cb9499241e90aba7a245c8546144fd8f4} of adults under the age of 40!
· Leaky gut – an increase in the permeability of the intestinal lining can result in toxins leaking from the bowel resulting in inflammation
· Chronic low-grade food allergies or food sensitivities that may cause few symptoms.
· Toxins from food, water, your environment and personal care products. Most folks never think about the products they rub on their skin, but much of that can be absorbed into the blood.
· Food sensitivity or intolerance and food allergies cause low grade inflammation
· Obesity – the fatty tissues of the body secrete hormones that regulate the immune system and inflammation, but in the case of an overweight individual this can become out of control.
· Dehydration makes inflammation worse
So what can we do?
Well start by including the following foods.
10 excellent inflammation-fighting foods
· Long Grain rice (Basmati, Jasmine etc) are really good for helping quiet inflammation and is a great alternative to the enormous amount of wheat product we consume
· Wild caught salmon, not farm-raised salmon, is another way to get beneficial omega-3 fatty acids. You can also try other fatty fish like mackerel and sardines.
· Tart cherries can reduce inflammation ten times better than aspirin! Tart cherries or cherry juice help reduce your risk for heart disease. Tart Cherry juice is also good to drink for bladder infections and UTI’s.
· Walnuts are often mentioned, but I have found a lot of folks allergic to this nut. A better choice is chestnuts roasted.
· Onions and Garlic. Onions have lots of quercetin, a potent antioxidant that can help your body fight inflammation. Be careful with onions if you have an irritable gut. Garlic has long been a folk remedy for colds and illness, and its anti-inflammatory properties are spectacular. Again be careful not to eat too much at once until you know your tolerance. Also, fresh garlic needs to be mashed in order for it to become biologically active with its anti-inflammatory properties.
· Fermented Foods and Liquids like organic Keefer, Yogurt and raw milk are good for the gut. If the gut is happy, your body is happy!
· Spices: Ginger & Tumeric
Turmeric is a spice used extensively in other cultures, and for good reason. It contains curcumin, a substance that actively reduces inflammation.
Ginger works in a way similar to tumeric to lower inflammation and in some studies has been shown to reduce pain associated with arthritis.
Next…GO FOR A WALK!!!
Yes..this is the oldest form of exercise and is probably the best and always will be. Take your dog for a walk and then pet the dog – all has been proven to lower blood pressure and the inflammation response!
For more information on practical real solutions for how to reduce inflammation/stress, go to http://www.realstresssolutions.com