Inflammation is a natural process in the body that is part of the immune system. Inflammation happens naturally when the body is working to heal itself. When we see or feel inflammation it is usually in the form of swelling, redness, or even warmth or pain as immune system cells rush to the site of the injury or infection to speed healing. This can happen on the surface or inside the body. While inflammation is a necessary part of the healing process, too much inflammation or chronic inflammation can damaging to our health.Sometimes the body will attack itself (an autoimmune response) or confuse certain foods or medicines for viruses or bacteria which can flare up the immune system and trigger inflammation. This can lead to chronic inflammation which is not part of the healthy healing process and can actually cause disease.
Chronic inflammation has been linked to a host of diseases including Alzheimer’s, cancer, heart disease, Parkinson's disease, and diabetes. Fortunately, there are things we can do to reduce inflammation in the body which may help us avoid or even manage these types of illnesses. These foods have been studied and well-documented for their healthy anti-inflammatory properties. Read on to learn more about the best anti-inflammatory foods and how to incorporate them into your diet.
