You might have heard about anti-inflammatory diets and anti-inflammatory medication, right? But do you actually know what inflammation entails? In simple terms, inflammation refers to the mechanism in which our body responds to injury and infections. In other words, it is a way our body signals the immune system to repair and heal the damaged tissue while protecting itself against viruses and bacteria. So is inflammation crucial? How can it affect our body’s health?
We all need inflammation to live; however, it can turn out to be hazardous to our health. If our body senses infection, stress, or toxic chemicals, the immune system responds quickly by activating the proteins intended to protect the tissues and cells. According to health experts, inflammation acts as a good friend to our body, and without it, there can be both long and short term health hazards.
How inflammation can affect our health
It makes you ready for the fight
This type of inflammation happens due to emotional stress. Essentially, the inflammatory markers (C-reactive proteins) are released and circulate throughout the body instead of blood cells moving to one part of the body. This is really a biological response to the occurring danger, i.e., a fight or flight response that overfills the body with adrenaline and can assist someone eludes life-threatening circumstances.
Unyielding stress that happens for a long time can cause the levels of C-reactive protein to be permanently elevated, which can be an aspect of several chronic health issues.
Fighting infections
When it comes to fighting illness or repairing a wound, inflammation is the most beneficial and visible factor. You’ve seen how your body responds when you are experiencing a sore throat with swollen glands or fever, or infected cut that turns out to be red and warm to the touch. Undoubtedly, the redness, swelling, and warmth are an indication that the immune system is energizing growth factors and nutrients and is sending WBC (white blood cells) to the affected areas. As you can see, inflammation is a necessity for healthy healing. However, this vital inflammation is exclusively temporary. When the illness or infection is gone, inflammation should as well go.
Joint pain
Inflammation occurring in the joint leads to severe damage. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a good example of a joint-damaging condition. It appears to possess generic components; however, it is as well linked to lack of vitamin D, smoking, and other risk factors. According to research, a salty diet can lead to the development of RA.
Individuals with RA experience stiffness and pain in their inflamed joints. But since the immune reaction is not bound to the joints, there is a high risk for issues with eyes and other parts of the body.
Another joint damaging condition is psoriatic arthritis, and its symptoms are the same as those of RA. Besides stiff and painful joints, an individual with Psoriatic arthritis can as well experience pitting in their nails.
Heart diseases
Any damaged or injured body part can trigger inflammation even if it is inside the blood vessel. Basically, when the fatty acid plague is formed, it can initiate chronic inflammation. The plague grows larger, attracts white blood cells, and forms a blood clot, which may cause a heart attack. Unhealthy eating and obesity enhance inflammation; however, healthy individuals with chronic inflammation due to autoimmune disorders like psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, or celiac disease appear to be at a higher risk of having heart diseases.
Essentially, inflammation plays an integral part in the immune system response role. Without it, our bodies will never respond to infections and injuries.
Pomegranate Juice and our Muscle Strength
