Chronic Inflammation: What To Eat To Help Fight It
Key Points:
- Inflammation is the body's immune response to danger or damage, essential for healing and survival, with acute inflammation being short-term and beneficial.
- Chronic inflammation is subtler, often unnoticed, and linked to fatigue; it contributes to many Western diseases such as Alzheimer’s, heart disease, depression, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus.
- Approximately 80% of diseases are driven by inflammation, mostly influenced by lifestyle factors that individuals can control to reduce risk.
- Maintaining a healthy gut microbiome by consuming a diverse range of plant-based fibers is crucial for regulating inflammation, as 70% of the immune system resides in the gut.
- While ultra-processed foods should be limited, moderation is key, and focusing on whole food plants supports anti-inflammatory health and longevity.