Most people associate inflammation with an injury or cut. Inflammation refers to a location on the body that has become reddened, swollen, painful, and hot. It is the body’s natural attempt at protecting itself from further injury or infection by deleterious stimuli. This reaction is our immune system going to battle. It activates proteins called cytokines that bring in hormones, white blood cells, and nutrients, clearing out infection and initiating healing of the damaged tissues.

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Types of Inflammation

When you suffer a direct injury or infection that lasts a few days or so, it is known as acute inflammation. It is short-term, but it is important to rest the injured area and avoid stimulation to allow your body to heal. Examples of these injuries or infections include a sore throat from a cold, sprained wrist or ankle, and cuts.

If the body develops inflammation that occurs from the body triggering a low-grade inflammatory response for a threat when it is not needed, then it can develop into chronic inflammation. In this instance, white blood cells often damage healthy tissue throughout the entire body, leading to many diseases. Whereas acute inflammation is temporary, resulting from an injury or infection; chronic inflammation is long-term, occurring as a result of habit or environmental factors.

A number of factors like gastrointestinal distress, hormonal imbalance, extreme levels of chronic stress, toxicity, and aging can cause chronic inflammation. Even by choosing to lead a damaging lifestyle that includes habits such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and poor dietary habits can determine your risk for chronic inflammation.

Diseases Caused by Chronic Inflammation

Chronic inflammation is notorious for causing arthritis, Alzheimer’s and diabetes. Growing evidence suggests it affects the bone remodeling process, in which old bones are replaced with new ones. Increased osteoclast activity results in greater bone resorption and less bone formation. Over time, excessive bone loss results in weakened and brittle bones, which are signs of osteoporosis. Luckily, there are steps to take to limit the detrimental effects this process has on your bones.

Is chronic inflammation causing your bones to slowly simmer?

Often, chronic inflammation has no symptoms. Pay attention to the following clues that you might be simmering on the inside:

• Generalized muscle aches and stiffness
• Ongoing joint pain and stiffness
• Fatigue/loss of energy
• Skin problems
• Worsening allergies or asthma
• Unexplained digestive distress such as pain, bloating, irritable bowel syndrome
• Depression, anxiety, brain fog

IF you are worried that you may be suffering from chronic inflammation, the following blood tests check the levels of inflammation in your body:

• High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (HS-CRP)
• SED rate
• Homocysteine
• HDL
• Blood glucose

What can you do to extinguish the fire?

• Reduce stress
• Focus on eating an anti-inflammatory diet
• Exercise
• Rule out food allergies
• Anti-inflammatory supplements:
  • Omega 3 fatty acids: 1-tablespoon flaxseed oil or 3,000 to 5,000 mg of fish oil each day
  • Turmeric: 500 mg twice daily. Curcumin is the bioactive ingredient of turmeric. Best taken with foods containing fats to enhance absorption. Products containing bioperine and black pepper extract increase the bioavailability of curcumin
    • Consumerlabs rate Life Extension Super Bio-Curcumin brand and Doctor’s Best Curcumin C3 Complex as two excellent choices for turmeric supplementation
  • Bromelain: 300 to 500 mg 2 to 3 times daily. Take enteric-coated bromelain supplements to ensure anti-inflammatory effects.
  • Zyflamend by New Chapter: Blend of 10 different anti-inflammatory herbs

Let the professionals at NuturedBones aid you in your quest to squelch inflammation. Our experts can help you manage your bone loss through effective and natural methods.