Reducing Inflammation

Summer 2021 Health Goal: Fighting Inflammation 

The last year has been…well, it’s been a year.

We’ve been faced with a more sedentary lifestyle, exacerbated stress, and maybe some not-so-great habits (we’re looking at you sugar, processed foods, and alcohol!).

However, restrictions and regulations are starting to loosen and the world seems to be opening up before our eyes – just in time for summer!

That’s enough for any of us to jump for joy;

but when that jumping makes you feel like the “tin man” with aches, pains,

exhaustion, and fatigue, it can make this exciting time a little less welcoming.

That’s why for the summer of 2021, you may want to set yourself one goal to focus on:

Reducing Inflammation

Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, trauma, infections, stress, toxins, and other things that may be detrimental to its systems.  It produces chemicals that trigger the immune system to defend and heal the body.

It’s a normal and natural process part of daily living such as when we breakdown food, process energy, and repair injury.

But when inflammation becomes chronic from things such as:

• stress
• poor eating (filled with processed, sugary foods)
• excessive alcohol
• food sensitivities such as gluten and dairy
• smoking
• a stationary lifestyle
• and too little sleep

it can become harmful – so much so that it may be the driver of many, if not most, diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s and dementia, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and autoimmune disorders.

In addition, common daily inflammation ailments can include:

• fatigue
• soreness
• joint pain/stiffness
• weight gain
• digestive upset
• disrupted sleep
• mood imbalance (anxiety, depression)

And when we look back at the past year…we may have experienced or took part in consuming some of these sources of inflammation that now need to be dealt with.

So whether you are currently experiencing symptoms and are in need of relief or are concerned about potential inflammation in your body and want to strive to decrease it, this summer is an excellent time to make choices that support your health.

To reduce inflammation, try:

1. Acupuncture. This natural therapy can relax and stretch muscles, calm the nervous system, reduce pain, and enhance immunity- all helpful in reducing inflammation.
2. Cleaning Up Your Diet. Following an anti-inflammatory diet filled fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, healthy fats, phytonutrients, and plenty of omega-3 fatty acids can be very impactful. Check out more on this diet here.
3. Supplements. A season of anti-inflammatory supplements can complement an anti-inflammatory lifestyle. Opt for fish oils with at least 1,000mg of DHA and EPA combined as well as turmeric/curcumin such as that in Curcumin by Pure Encapsulations®. In addition, CBD capsules or creams can also work to decrease inflammation throughout the body.
4. Movement. With longer days and warmer temperatures, it’s important to get out and move! But don’t worry about going full steam right away; start slow with walks or hikes and work your way up
5. Better Sleep. If you’re not sleeping enough to feel rested when you wake up and throughout most of the day, it may be time to seek support. Whether it’s acupuncture, herbal supplements, or lifestyle routine changes, Dr. Graves can help you work towards a sounder slumber.
6. Reduction of Alcohol. For many, a summer BBQ isn’t the same without a Colorado brew in hand, but be mindful of how much is consumed. Too much can work against you.

Are you ready to decrease inflammation over the summer?  You can do it!  Let this goal encourage healthy choices and habits as we come out of hibernation.

If you live in Castle Rock, Castle Pines, Lone Tree, Highlands Ranch, Parker, Centennial, Larkspur, Monument, Colorado Springs, or the greater Denver metro area and are in need of health support with pain, sleep, hormones, digestion, mood, or any other issue you think inflammation may be the cause of, please call us at (303) 688-6698 or click here to schedule a 15 minute free phone consultation with Dr. Graves to talk about your concern further.

Together, we can help you fight inflammation and enjoy what the summer has to offer!

REFERENCES:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3492709/