FIT Healthy Living Series

Why Managing Chronic Inflammation Matters

Chronic Inflammation

Chronic inflammation feeds a smorgasbord of chronic diseases. If you don’t have a chronic disease yourself, you know someone who does. An estimated 80 percent of visits to doctor’s offices are for issues relating to chronic disease. The CDC tells us 7 of every 10 Americans die of a chronic disease.

Chronic Diseases Such as

Allergies, Alzheimer’s, arthritis, asthma, cancer, COPD, Crohn’s, chronic fatigue, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, emphysema, fibromyalgia, Gulf War Syndrome, heart disease and stroke, high blood pressure, Lyme, lupus, multiple sclerosis, obesity, osteoporosis, depression, anxiety, PTSD, and more

Chronic Inflammation

• Chronic inflammation has a damaging effect on arteries

Leads high cholesterol, heart attacks and strokes.• Chronic inflammation depresses the immune

system and helps promote the formation of cancerous tumors.

Chronic Inflammation

• Chronic inflammation destroys nerve cells in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients.

• Inflammation of kidneys is known as nephritis and may cause kidney failure or high blood pressure.

• In Rheumatoid Arthritis, the inflammation is systemic, eating away at the entire body, an autoimmune disorder.

Toxicants

• Our bodies have become virtual dumping grounds for the tens of thousands of toxic compounds that invade our everyday world, setting the stage for a slow decline in health. The EPA estimates there are more than 20,000 chemicals that our bodies cannot metabolize. Unable to be excreted from the body, chemicals find their way into our liver, and then migrate to fat cells throughout the body where they are stored. Studies show that most of us have between 400 and 800 chemical residues stored in our cells.

Exercise, Nutrition, & Weight Loss

• Exercise to reduce inflammation in the fat cells and liver.

• A diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and omega-3 fatty acids tones down inflammation.

• Antioxidants protect the body from the inflammatory effects of free radicals

• Wild blueberries and goji berries, you are snacking on foods high in antioxidants. Vitamin C is a wonderful antioxidant.

Rich Vitamin C Foods

Guava, Bell Peppers, Oranges, Grapefruit, Strawberries, Pineapple, Kohlrabi, Papayas, Lemons, Broccoli, Kale, Brussels sprouts, Kiwi, Cantaloupe, Cauliflower, Red cabbage, Mangos, and mustard greens.

FOODS & Supplements

Consistently ranked highest in antioxidants

• Wild blueberries have the highest capacity of antioxidants per serving

• Antioxidants help destroy free radicals which occur from pollution, toxins, metabolism, etc.

• These free radicals can cause damage and oxidative stress- but the antioxidants help prevent this

Blueberries Cranberries Blackberries Raspberries Strawberries0

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Levels of Antioxidants in Berries

Cardiovascular Health

• Antioxidants protect from damage in blood vessels

• Help maintain a healthy blood pressure• Studies have shown that eating 3 or more

servings a week of blueberries could decrease a women’s chance of having a heart attack by 33%!

• Prevent inflammation in the arteries and plaque build up

Cognitive Health

• Flavonoids which are found abundantly in blueberries, have been shown to reverse memory loss due to aging

• Studies have shown blueberries may also prevent Alzheimer's disease

• The high amounts of anthocyanin- which give blueberries their rich blue color- can help with memory function

Effects on Blood Sugar

• Blueberries are very high in fiber which can help in blood sugar regulation

• Can improve insulin resistance!• Studies have shown that people at risk for

type 2 Diabetes reduced their risk by consuming blueberries daily

Protect against cancer

• Again with those antioxidants- blueberries fight off free radicals which can lead to the development of certain cancers

• Blueberries have also been shown to block the growth of tumors

Vitamins and Minerals in Blueberries

• Vitamin K: essential for clotting of blood• Vitamin C: powerful antioxidant• Manganese: needed for bone production• Fiber: although fiber is not a vitamin or

mineral, blueberries are very high in fiber– Can reduce cholesterol and help with GI regularity

Sources

Arizona Center for Advanced Medicine http://arizonaadvancedmedicine.com/chronic-inflammation/http://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/overview/