Inflammation

What Is Inflammation?

Inflammation refers to the release of inflammatory cells and cytokines to shield the body from infections, injuries, or toxins. When inflammation happens, you are more likely to experience pain, swelling, or redness.

How Is It Caused?

Inflammation occurs when the body perceives thorns, irritants, or pathogens as harmful intruders. As a result, it activates an immune reaction as a defense mechanism.

Are There Any Ways to Prevent It?

Various ways to reduce the risk of inflammation include managing your weight, giving up smoking, adding exercise or physical activity to your daily routine, keeping your stress levels low, and cutting back on alcohol.

What Are the Best Ways to Fight It?

Try vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin D and zinc supplements, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and steroid injections.

What Are the Best Foods to Fight Inflammation?

The best foods to fight inflammation include olive oil, tomatoes, oily fish (think: sardines, salmon, or mackerel), and leafy greens, including spinach, kale, romance lettuce, and cabbage.

How Do They Work to Fight It?

These foods are high in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Due to this, they can protect against free radicals damage that causes inflammation.

Latest posts by Anastasia Filipenko (see all)

Tags:

You might be interested in

Anastasia Filipenko is a health and wellness psychologist, dermatolist and a freelance writer. She frequently covers beauty and skincare, food trends and nutrition, health and fitness and relationships. When she's not trying out new skincare products, you'll find her taking a cycling class, doing yoga, reading in the park, or trying a new recipe.

View all

Latest from Ask the Expert