HEALTH
How to Live an Anti-Inflammatory Lifestyle
9 min read
Essential Takeaways
- We talk about inflammation and how it affects the body.
- We discuss the two types of inflammation.
- We share ways to live an anti-inflammatory lifestyle so you can live life to the fullest.
When we think of inflammation, we often consider it an external issue, like getting a bug bite or rolling your ankle. But did you know that inflammation can happen on our insides too?
What is inflammation?
Simply put, inflammation is the immune system’s response to a stimulus considered foreign or toxic to your body. When you get a cut, burn, or bruise, the inflammatory response is the body’s way of combating injury and repairing the damage.
Inflammation isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it’s a good sign that your body is healing. The real problems occur when the inflammatory response does not shut off. Rather than being temporary and localized, it becomes chronic and harmful.
Unfortunately, many people may live with chronic inflammation and don’t even know it. They may experience symptoms daily or none at all. Why? Sometimes, chronic inflammation is sneaky.
Unfortunately, many people may live with chronic inflammation and don’t even know it.
Types of Inflammation
Acute Inflammation
Acute inflammation is the response to sudden body changes, such as cutting your finger. To heal the cut, your body sends inflammatory cells to the injury, which then starts the healing process.
Chronic Inflammation
Chronic inflammation is when your body continues sending inflammatory cells even when there is no outside danger.
This type of inflammation is often linked with chronic diseases, such as:
- Joint discomfort
- Excess weight
- Diabetes
- Cardiovascular disease
- Autoimmune disease
- Cancer
- Stress, whether psychological or physical
Whether you’re already managing ongoing inflammation or focusing on prevention, there are steps you can take to lower the risk of inflammation and live a more comfortable life. Here are some of the best:
5 Ways to Live an Anti-Inflammatory Lifestyle
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Exercise consistently.
Exercising is one of the best things you can do for your overall physical and mental well-being. In addition to increasing strength, exercise helps reduce inflammation, boosts metabolism, gives you more energy, and allows you to look and feel your best.
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Eat a nutritious diet.
When it comes to achieving good health, we can't ignore nutrition. Consider reducing highly processed foods, excess refined sugars, and trans fats. Then load up on vegetables, wild-caught fish, pasture-raised poultry, grass-fed meat, and fiber-rich whole grains.
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Get enough sleep.
Sleep is when your body can heal from the emotional and physical stressors of the day. Ideally, seven to eight hours of restful sleep are needed per night. Cut too short, poor sleep may promote inflammation.
Don't get me wrong, it can be tempting to stay up late to catch up on work or rewatch Chargers game highlights. However, a lack of sleep dulls activity in the brain's frontal lobe, which affects decision-making and impulse control.
For better sleep, keep your bedroom dark, comfortable, and cool. Place your phone on the other side of the room and turn off the TV. Allow yourself time to unwind and settle before bed. If you still have trouble sleeping, grab a bottle of Cymbiotika's Sleep.
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Manage stress.
Stress and anxiety may trigger inflammation. When we feel an uncomfortable emotion, the body may interpret it as a response to an internal invader. It then releases inflammation markers as a result.
That said, we all get stressed. It's almost impossible to reduce stress in our busy lives, but we can change how we react to it. The key is learning to adapt and respond to it positively.
There are many options for stress reduction. Here are a few of my favorite ways to reduce stress: meditating, cooking, spending time with my family, and running. If you want that extra dose of zen, grab Cymbiotika's Adrenal Super Tonic. This formula supports the body's ability to respond to stress and reduces stress and anxiety.
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Incorporate Inflammatory Health.
If you still need an extra boost, try Cymbiotika’s Inflammatory Health. This product contains PEA and high-quality Curcumin, which help promote joint comfort and mobility.
PEA is produced in the human body when needed in response to an injury or pain. This naturally occurs to help resolve acute inflammation and pain and restore the body to a normal, healthy state. Over time, persistent pain causes depletion of PEA, and supplementing with PEA provides the body with what it needs to recover and function optimally.
Summary
Do you miss springing out of bed each morning? Do you miss being able to play with your kids or loved ones? Do you miss having the energy to work out?
Inflammation can be uncomfortable, but it doesn’t have to take over your life forever.
To your health,
Sal
Sal Khan
Author
Life changes you when you become a dad—you want to be the best version of yourself, so you can show up for your children. As a health-conscious and goal-oriented guy, creating a strong foundation for your family is important. I want to teach my kids the importance of education, health and wellness, and independent thinking. After experiencing many highs and lows with my health, I'm glad I found Cymbiotika to help me on my path to better health. Their Plant Protein is one of the best formulas I've ever tried as it's packed with powerful probiotics and has so many benefits to my athletic performance and recovery. Stay tuned for more content on all things health, wellness, and family.
Reviewed by: Dr. Pejman Taghavi
Medical Director, Hollywood Healthcare
Clinical Instructor, Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center
Dr. Pejman Taghavi is a specialist in the field of Diagnostic and Interventional Abdominal and Musculoskeletal Radiology. As medical director of Hollywood Healthcare and faculty at UCLA Medical Center, Dr. Taghavi offers extensive expertise in the field of radiology, with publications in the Society of Skeletal Radiology and Chicago Radiological Society, among others. Dr. Taghavi is passionate about the healing of muscles and joints without relying on oral pain medications. Dr. Taghavi has experience working with high-level athletes from the LA Lakers, LA Dodgers, and UCLA Bruins.