The Root Causes of Inflammation: Introduction

The main root causes of inflammation are:

1) Infections

This one is kind of an obvious. If you read my other blog post, you know that inflammation and infection are closely intertwined. Infection causes inflammation. Moreover, while your body is busy diverting is attention to battle or suppress an infection, it cannot attend to other matters, such as using its natural resources to decrease existing inflammation. Some of the most common infections are Helicobacter Pylori (responsible for ulcers), the Candida species (think yeast infections, thrush, etc.), strep and staph bacteria, and herpes. You need to clear these first, to begin the process of healing and restoration, in your quest for better health.

2) Deficiencies

Deficiencies are not quite as common in the United States as in other parts of the world, but still,

Some Americans struggle to get the nutrients they need. You may think this does not relate to you, but it’s not exclusive to age, gender, skin color, diet, financial status, education, or current health.

Some of the most common deficiencies present in all age groups are: iron, B12, folate, vitamin D, vitamin C, magnesium, potassium, calcium, iodine and omega fatty acids deficiency. Now obviously some may be more prone to certain ones than others. Pregnant women, for example, need more folate and iron. Those who have Celiac disease or follow a gluten-free or vegan diet may need more B-vitamins, folate, and iron as well. The Northeast region, for example, has a high prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency due to a higher number of cloudy and cold days. Calcium and vitamin D are also very important for older women, specifically after they hit menopause. I could write all day on the different deficiencies in detail, but that will be in another post. Just know that deficiencies can and will cause or increase inflammatory activity.

3) Intolerances

Food intolerances play a big part in causing whole body inflammation. Intolerances are becoming increasingly more common as they are diagnosed more easily, and people are becoming more aware of their symptoms and consequences. Some of the most common ones are wheat, corn, soy, dairy, and nuts. These can manifest as a “true allergy” in some people potentially causing life-threatening reactions such as anaphylaxis. Others are less bothersome, causing bloating, diarrhea, upset stomach, or nausea. But if you don’t have significant symptoms, don’t let that fool you. You may have an intolerance and not even know it. See my other blog post for more information on this.

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4) Toxins

Toxins. What do I mean by toxins? It’s not necessarily what comes to mind first, radiation, dangerous chemicals, lead, etc. While heavy metal toxicity is prevalent in certain regions and population groups, most are able to filter those out effectively. That doesn’t mean that you should ignore heavy metal toxicity as a whole, as you think it poses no danger to you. On the contrary, your goal should be to reduce your “toxin burden”.

And you can do so once you start thinking about all the toxins hiding in the products you use daily. Soap, detergent, dishwashing fluid or tabs, pans and pots, food containers, air freshener, pillows, window blinds, foundation, lipstick, shampoo, deodorant, heck even your shower curtains and couch!

Not to mention the pesticides and harmful additives in your foods (as you guessed it, separate post dedicated to this). All of these things contribute to inflammation and lead to hormonal imbalances, cell mutations and possibly cancer, asthma and other breathing problems, and much more.

5) Trauma

Trauma is a biggie. Physical, mental, and emotional trauma can cause inflammation. Physical may make more sense. But have you thought about or maybe even noticed the implications of mental or emotional trauma? It may not manifest it right away, it may creep up on you years later. Or if it does show itself, maybe you might have heard of things like people’s hair falling out in clumps after finding out their significant other cheated on them for 10 years, one dying of “heartbreak” syndrome after losing a loved one. Abuse, rape, even less severe painful or difficult experiences, in childhood and beyond, can cause trauma that lingers within, as inflammation continues to eat away at your core.

6) Stress

This leads me to my next one. Stress. We’ve all heard of that dreadful yet very vague word. Everyone seems to be blaming stress for everything nowadays. Really though, stress isn’t all bad. But it’s when you start running on a chronic stress-fueled schedule, that it takes a toll on your body and begins to inflict damage. Another topic worthy of a whole post.

7) Poor lifestyle habits

I saved the best for last. Simply because this is a loaded topic. Poor lifestyle habits, or let’s say, “less than optimal” lifestyle habits can inflict a lot of damage on your health and overall wellbeing.

We are all human, we all have our weaknesses, but we simply have to pick our battles. Please, do treat yourself to that dessert, do take a “self-care” day and skip your workout that day to take a nap instead. We all need it sometimes. The key is balance, as in everything.

Many overload their bodies with foods that lack nutrition at best, or that actually “poison” you at worst.

My biggest offenders in my life are: wine, certain sweet treats & desserts, and a really (I mean really) good steak. They are not terrible, no. But if I were to eat red meat on a daily or almost daily basis, drink alcohol on most days of the week, and chow down Twinkies and piece after piece of cake, well, I would be 75 lbs heavier, my cholesterol would be through the roof, and I would probably be on the verge of diabetes. But that is just the tip of the iceberg. With increased time, frequency and exposure, our risk for cancer (especially colon), dementia, and premature death begins to gain exponential growth. Age doesn’t help. Plus, don’t you want to be that cool-looking old man/lady that is just living their best life, retired, dancing salsa, and playing volleyball on the beach only to take a nice evening stroll later along the seaside? Yeah that’s what I thought.

So, please, eat your veggies (just kidding but not), and start moving around a little more. I have faith in that you are already doing that, so next time I will share some of the less “obvious” things to improve your lifestyle habits (diet and otherwise) to become a better you.