Inflammation is not a disease.
Inflammation is best described as a defense mechanism to limit tissue damage. It can be caused by infection, injury or immune conditions. In each case, the inflammation is the result of your immune system responding to another event.
When such an event occurs, a special cell called a neutrophil targets the damaged cells and releases a proinflammatory cytokine ( a natural substance used by the body for immune regulation ). This attracts more neutophil and begins a cycle of communication between neutrophil and macrophage ( a type of cell in your immune system that works to protect against infection and from toxins ). These signals are generated using structures composed of glyconutrients. This cycle would apply to the inflammation of the cells in a vein, the thyroid, intestine, liver, a muscle, the scalp, or any other collection of cells that are given a name.
When we take a drug or an herbal to "stop inflammation," we are really interrupting the natural process where the body is sending out signals to other helper cells to say "Hey, come deal with this." We are also interrupting the natural process where the body is sending signals to us saying "take it easy, we have something that needs care." Certainly inflammation can be a discomfort and an annoyance but the importance of inflammation as part of the immune response cannot be overstated.
After the immune cells have cleared out the source of the inflammation, additional immune cells begin a clean up process and engulf dead neutrophils and other cellular debris. If the process is successful, the body will return to normal levels of cells and mediators.
Inflammation is affected by diet in that certain nutrients play a role in the normal inflammation process. Various glyconutrients are used to construction glycoforms for signaling in the body and antioxidants bind to free radicals which may either be the source, or by product of, the damage.
In summary, inflammation is a normal cellular process. Your body induced inflammation in response to something else. While the process can lead to discomfort, it should be understood that medications and herbs which mask the inflammation by interfering with it may also be interfering with the underlying immune response.
Work with your doctor to manage your symptoms in the short term but then also factor in diet and lifestyle changes to help support the natural processes of the body. Every cell in your body has the natural ability to restore, protect and defend itself. Don't just turn them off for good. Studies have shown that concentrations of glyconutrients can have a very beneficial effect on inflammation. While the processes are still being studied, non-toxic glyconutrient supplements have been available to the public for over 10 years.
Dave Saunders is a certified nutritional educator, wellness coach and author. He is also the host of a weekly, nation-wide telephone lecture on health and nutrition. For additional information, please visit http://www.glycoboy.com or email Dave at dave@glycoboy.com
travel from O'Hare Round Lake Heights ...What if there was a combination of foods that were... Read More
Okay, before we start, let me explain the purpose of... Read More
The debate regarding Fluoride continues to rage, is it good... Read More
One of the biggest mistakes many new bodybuilders make is... Read More
Hormonal changes during pregnancy, and quite normal fat gain often... Read More
Water is a vitally important component of any valuable and... Read More
The word cholesterol has become synonymous with poor health. Indeed,... Read More
Mannatech's patent-pending glyconutrients complex, Ambrotose, is perhaps the greatest wellness... Read More
In this fast paced world, good nutrition may sound very... Read More
Better sleep = better metabolism. I have been saying it... Read More
For a considerable amount of time, nutrition has not played... Read More
Your Non-Conscious Mind is 98% of your full power. Over... Read More
Here's food for thought! Did you know the average restaurant... Read More
Millions of people around the UK consume dairy products on... Read More
Okay, so you think you are doing pretty well with... Read More
It is shocking how many people are not taking advantage... Read More
When Helen Boardman was still a girlish 99, she fell... Read More
Vitamin EThere has been a lot of controversy about vitamin... Read More
Calcium helps reduce constipationUsing calcium and magnesium in the right... Read More
The adrenal or "stress glands" are small, triangular shaped glands... Read More
How many times have you tried to diet/lose weight in... Read More
This is usually the forgotten element of most mass programs.... Read More
In this newsletter we will discuss the current controversy about... Read More
Do you know your ph? By getting ph strips at... Read More
How often do you pick up items at the grocery... Read More
Hampshire shuttle to O'Hare ...1. Enjoy what you eatWhether someone is following the Atkins... Read More
Are you concerned about taking care of your body before... Read More
You may have noticed an ever-expanding choice of oils at... Read More
Essential fatty acids are the number one recommendation for anyone... Read More
During a recent discussion with my father about low carb... Read More
"You are what you eat."Does it sound familiar? You probably... Read More
When it comes to the topic of sports nutrition there... Read More
Last year I had a number of clients who started... Read More
I'll preface this article by saying that it will help... Read More
It slows ageing, promotes healthy vision, has anti-cancer properties, increases... Read More
Are you sick and tired of the confusion about our... Read More
Whatever diet you choose to live by, the food you... Read More
You can spot a juicer a mile off at the... Read More
I'm going to be a bit radical here, but know... Read More
It's 5:30 p.m. and you're heading home after a long,... Read More
Many people use sugar as medicine. Sugar tends to change... Read More
Carbohydrates have gotten a lot of bad press in the... Read More
Apple cider vinegar is a product of apple juice fermentation.... Read More
Do you know the risks to daily intakes of Starbucks... Read More
Much controversy and argument surrounds the idea that food may... Read More
How Can... Read More
There are so many topics to discuss which affect our... Read More
While oxygen is the key to human survival, it is... Read More
Water is the single most important element for human existence,... Read More
At any grocery store in North America right now, there... Read More
Nutrition Nutrition |