Inflammation: Why It Happens and How to Turn It Into Healing Power
Inflammation is your body's natural way of defending and healing itself. When you get a cut, twist an ankle, or fight off an infection, your immune system responds with inflammation to protect the affected area and initiate repair – this is good inflammation. But when inflammation lingers without a clear purpose, it can turn from a helpful ally into a harmful force [1].
This article will uncover why inflammation happens, what leads to its chronic state, and – most importantly – how you can turn it into a healing tool.
Good (Acute) vs Bad (Chronic) Inflammation
Acute inflammation is a biological response triggered by injury, infection, or harmful stimuli. When your immune system detects a threat, it sends out signals that increase blood flow to the affected area. White blood cells and nutrients begin the healing process. This is good inflammation – it's essential for recovery.
Issues begin to arise when your inflammation response is constantly activated or dysregulated. Chronic, low-grade inflammation is insidious – difficult to notice while having gradually harmful effects.
Reports show that 60% of life-threatening illnesses worldwide are due to chronic inflammatory diseases, like stroke, respiratory diseases, heart disorders, obesity, and diabetes. Global health experts claim chronic inflammation to be "the greatest threat to human health," – an issue they anticipate to grow over the next 30 years [1].
Common Causes of Chronic Inflammation
Chronic inflammation often stems from a combination of lifestyle factors, environmental exposures, and underlying health conditions.
Recently, scientists found a connection between low-grade inflammation and a rise in non-communicable diseases due to eating ultra-processed foods [2]. Sedentary habits and chronic stress add to the problem – both can disrupt hormonal balance and immune function, which elevate inflammation levels [1].
Environmental toxins, such as pollutants in the air, water, and household products, contain harmful substances that irritate your immune system and trigger your inflammation response. Additionally, underlying medical conditions can perpetuate inflammation and create a cycle that is difficult to break [3].
Symptoms of Chronic Inflammation
The symptoms of chronic inflammation can be difficult to recognize until you have noticeable health concerns. Unlike acute inflammation, which presents obvious signs of healing like redness, swelling, and pain, chronic inflammation often hides behind general feelings of poor health.
Joint pain, stiffness, and muscle aches are common physical signs, while digestive issues such as bloating, constipation, or diarrhea may signal inflammation in the gut [1]. Many people experience brain fog, difficulty concentrating, or mood changes, as inflammation affects the nervous system [4]. Skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis can also indicate an activated inflammatory response [5].
These symptoms may seem mysterious and disconnected – but together, they paint a picture of underlying inflammation that can lead to more serious health conditions if left unaddressed. By understanding the root causes of inflammation, you can work to avoid triggers and make your inflammation response one of healing – not harm.
Turning Inflammation into Healing Power
The Foundations of Self-Healing – Cleanse, Revive, Balance – provide direction for turning inflammation into healing power.
Cleanse
Toxins in polluted air, contaminated water, processed foods, and everyday household products can accumulate in your body, stimulate your immune system, and sustain inflammation over time [3]. Cleansing and detoxification are essential for reducing the burden.
Gentle detox methods, such as staying hydrated, consuming fiber-rich foods [6], and using natural cleansers like activated charcoal [7], can help your body flush these harmful substances.
Revive
Nutrition is one of the most powerful tools for managing inflammation. Fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, and fish rich in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins B and D, magnesium, and zinc can help your body combat inflammation at the cellular level [8]. Equally important is avoiding ultra-processed foods, which can trigger or worsen chronic inflammation [2].
Balance
Holistic lifestyle changes are the third key to transforming inflammation into healing power.
Managing stress through practices like meditation, yoga, or mindful breathing reduces cortisol levels, a stress hormone known to exacerbate inflammation. Regular physical activity improves circulation and enhances the immune system's ability to regulate itself, which translates to a healthy inflammation response. Finally, prioritizing quality sleep is critical – your body uses this time to repair damaged tissues and reset its inflammatory response [1].
Using the Foundation of Wellness as a guide can help you manage inflammation in the short term and turn it into a powerful tool for long-term health.
You Have the Power to Heal
Your body is designed for wellness. With the right knowledge and consistent effort, you can reclaim your health and turn inflammation into a force for lasting wellness.
Your Body Is the Medicine is a Global Healing series that dives into eight self-healing systems, how they work, and what you can do to reignite your innate healing abilities.
In part three of the series, we dive into the digestive system and how it plays a key role in your body's overall healing journey.
†Results may vary. Information and statements made are for education purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician.
References (8)
- Pahwa, R., Goyal, A., Bansal, P., & Jialal, I. (2021). Chronic Inflammation. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493173/
- Tristan Asensi, M., Napoletano, A., Sofi, F., & Dinu, M. (2023). Low-Grade Inflammation and Ultra-Processed Foods Consumption: A Review. Nutrients, 15(6), 1546. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15061546
- Marshall, J. S., Warrington, R., Watson, W., & Kim, H. L. (2018). An Introduction to Immunology and Immunopathology. Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology, 14(S2). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13223-018-0278-1
- María Helena Solano, Citlaltepetl Salinas Lara, Sánchez-Garibay, C., Soto-Rojas, L. O., Itzel Escobedo-Ávila, Martha Lilia Tena-Suck, Rocı́o Ortiz-Butrón, José Alberto Choreño-Parra, José Pablo Romero-López, & María Estela Meléndez-Camargo. (2023). Effect of Systemic Inflammation in the CNS: A Silent History of Neuronal Damage. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(15), 11902–11902. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241511902
- Pickett, K., Loveman, E., Kalita, N., Frampton, G. K., & Jones, J. (2015). Background. In www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. NIHR Journals Library. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK321885/
- Ioniță-Mîndrican, C.-B., Ziani, K., Mititelu, M., Oprea, E., Neacșu, S. M., Moroșan, E., Dumitrescu, D.-E., Roșca, A. C., Drăgănescu, D., & Negrei, C. (2022). Therapeutic Benefits and Dietary Restrictions of Fiber Intake: A State of the Art Review. Nutrients, 14(13), 2641. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14132641
- Laville, S. M., Massy, Z. A., Kamel, S., Chillon, J. M., Choukroun, G., & Liabeuf, S. (2021). Intestinal Chelators, Sorbants, and Gut-Derived Uremic Toxins. Toxins, 13(2), 91. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins13020091
- Sala-Climent, M., López de Coca, T., Guerrero, M. D., Muñoz, F. J., López-Ruíz, M. A., Moreno, L., Alacreu, M., & Dea-Ayuela, M. A. (2023). The effect of an anti-inflammatory diet on chronic pain: a pilot study. Frontiers in Nutrition, 10, 1205526. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2023.1205526
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Dr. Edward Group, DC
FOUNDER | HEALER | ADVOCATEDr. Group, DC is a healer and alternative health advocate, and an industry leader and innovator in the field of natural health who is dedicated to helping others. He is a registered doctor of chiropractic (DC), a naturopathic practitioner (NP), and proud alum of Harvard Business School and MIT Sloan School of Management. Dr. Group, DC is the founder of Global Healing – a mission and vision he has shared through best-selling books and frequent media appearances. He aims to spread his message of positivity, hope, and wellness throughout the world.
