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Page 28 | Abby's Magazine | www.AbbysMag.com Inflammatory Diseases In health terminology, a disease with "-itis" in the name has associations with inflammation. Arthritis is a common example of chronic inflammation. It's a continuing immune response in the joints that is unable to self-regulate or resolve. The immune system turns on automatically (hence the term auto-immune disease) and does not turn back off. The once helpful lymphocytes and macrophages now actually work against the body's joint structure, resulting in pain and limited motion. Another type of inflammation you may be unaware of is neuroinflammation. Neuroinflammation describes an inflammatory response in the brain, often associated with aging. As we age, an immune response may be triggered in the brain and the long-term inflammation that occurs may increase our odds of becoming depressed or anxious. Be sure to talk with your healthcare provider if you have concerns or questions about any condition or disease, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Causes of Inflammation Are we adding fuel to our inflammation fires with our daily lifestyle? The answer is, probably yes… in the form of certain foods. Ayurveda, a traditional medicinal system that has been practiced for over five thousand years, has a common saying that springs to mind when it comes to our body and inflammation. It is said in Ayurveda, "There are three opportunities for you to heal or poison yourself every day. We call them breakfast, lunch, and dinner." Foods that Can Cause Inflammation Yes, the foods you eat could be adding to your inflammation. The most common culprit? Added sugar. Research shows that including sugar- sweetened beverages (sodas with added sugar) in the diet resulted in higher C-Reactive Protein levels (CRP). CRP increases when there is inflammation in your body. Sugar and high fructose corn syrup consumption can also lead to higher body mass and obesity, which may lead to Type 2 diabetes. Researchers have found ties between those who have type 2 diabetes and higher levels of inflammation in the body. Processed meats tend to be high in saturated fats that can also cause inflammation within the body. One study points to a vegetarian diet or the supplementation of fish oil helping to support inflammation levels in the body of those who had been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. A high Omega-6 to Omega-3 ratio is becoming more common, as our diets are flooded with corn and canola oil. The ideal ratio of these dietary fats may be as low as 1 to 1. However, the typical Western diet over-delivers Omega-6, especially in corn-fed meats and refined vegetable oils. A dietary imbalance of these fats can skew the body's ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3 as high as 20 to 1. So keeping an eye on your Omega-6 intake is important, because if your Omega balance is out of whack, it may lead to more inflammatory conditions in the body. Conventional Treatments for Inflammation Conventional treatments for inflammation usually revolve around non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These drugs, which include aspirin and ibuprofen, work by blocking a group of enzymes known as COX (cyclooxygenase) enzymes. These enzymes produce prostaglandins in the body, and prostaglandins are found in high numbers in areas of inflammation. A certain type of prostaglandin called PGE2 is known for causing the swelling, redness, and pain associated with inflammation. When NSAIDs slow down the production of prostaglandins, this can result in a reduction in pain or fever, but it can also result in indigestion, an increase in blood pressure, and slower blood clotting. It's important to note that prostaglandins play an important role in protecting the stomach's mucosal lining. Peptic ulcers may develop after long term use of NSAIDs due to the degradation of the stomach lining. Herbs and Spices that Balance Inflammation Hippocrates, an ancient Greek physician who is considered a "Father of Medicine," famously said, "Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food." This is exceptionally on point when talking about several herbs and spices that support inflammation balance in the body. Do herbs and spices work differently than NSAIDs on inflammation pathways? The answer is yes. Ginger Remember how we said that NSAIDs block COX enzymes? NSAIDs block both COX-1 and COX-2. That's why NSAIDs affect the stomach lining the way they do, because COX-1 inhibition turns off the repair of the mucosal stomach lining. Herbs act differently. For example, Ginger contains certain phytonutrients like gingerols and shogaols, which both inhibit COX-2, but not COX-1. This may explain why Ginger has such impressive research when it comes to pain relief. Like a 2017 study that concluded that 500 mg of Ginger was just as effective on controlling pain after surgery as 400 mg of Ibuprofen. Ginger also had a statistically significant effect on reducing the symptoms of osteoarthritis in the knee, including a reduction in pain after walking and when standing. Turmeric Another outstanding herb with inflammation-balancing benefit is the "King of Herbs," Turmeric. Some may be surprised to know that Turmeric is a member of the Ginger family. Turmeric has research showing that it may block NF-KB, a gene regulator involved in the processes of immune and inflammatory responses. Turmeric also has outstanding antioxidant capabilities. A 2016 review of 8 randomized human clinical trials showed that Turmeric may be beneficial for alleviating symptoms of joint pain and inflammation. A part of Turmeric, called Curcumin, has been the subject of much research as an individual compound. Curcumin makes up 3-5% of the weight of the Turmeric plant and some regard it as Turmeric's most important nutrient where inflammation is concerned. But Curcumin, while exciting, lacks bioavailability (meaning it's tough for your body to absorb it). Curcumin is often paired with a black pepper extract to have it absorb rapidly into your body (while also absorbing anything else you should happen to take with it). There's another part of Turmeric called Turmerones, which are found in the oily parts of the plant that are usually tossed aside to get the Curcumin. Turmerone research suggests that Turmerones may be the key to helping Curcumin absorb easier. Check out our dedicated blog on Turmeric benefits and uses to learn more! Black Seed (Nigella) An up-and-coming herb that's making waves is Black Seed, or Nigella sativa. Black Seed made a name for itself with some compelling