MASSTIGE TIME

Managing only certain areas of the body isn't enough to maintain your overall health because various organs are interconnected and influence each other. like a thread. Therefore, health management must be approached from multiple angles with comprehensive solutions. One crucial aspect to consider is inflammation. It can cause various health problems, but what exactly is inflammation, and how can it be managed?

Inflammation is a type of immune response that acts as a biological defense mechanism to combat stimuli affecting the body, aiming to restore normalcy. For instance, when a virus invades, the immune system first tries to eliminate fever-sensitive viruses by generating a fever.
The next step is an inflammatory response, which progresses through three stages. In stage 1, macrophages, a type of immune cell, start to engulf the viruses. NK cells (natural killer cells) also begin to take action after dendritic cells alert the immune system to the invaders. During this stage, interferon, an immune substance, is generated. In stage 2, inflammation occurs as the immune system and the virus engage in a full-scale battle. In stage 3, the body begins the tissue regeneration process, removing the remnants of the battle and any infectious agents. These three stages of the inflammatory response illustrate how the immune system typically reacts when an antigen invades. So, why is inflammation, a normal immune response, sometimes a problem?

When unnecessary inflammation occurs across various parts of the body, it becomes a problem. As these unnecessary immune responses have become commonplace, chronic inflammation has emerged as a major issue today. Unlike acute inflammation, which naturally subsides over time, continuous micro-inflammation is known as chronic inflammation. Since it isn’t accompanied by obvious symptoms, it is easy to leave untreated. However, if it persists, it can lead to serious diseases such as cancer and dementia, so it's important to be cautious of chronic inflammation.
According to a study by the Health Promotion Center of Seoul National University Hospital, men with higher levels of chronic inflammation are 38% more likely to develop cancer than those with lower levels, and the risk is 29% higher for women. Additionally, chronic inflammation travels through blood vessels, damaging the body, causing cell aging and deformation, and excessively activating the immune response. It ultimately disrupts the overall immune system, leading to metabolic diseases such as obesity and diabetes, skin diseases like eczema and psoriasis, and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and asthma.
One of the characteristics of chronic inflammation is its slow progression throughout the body over years to decades, defined as a low level of systemic inflammation. It is accompanied by repeated vague symptoms such as unexplained pain, constant fatigue, insomnia, depression, anxiety, continuous constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, weight gain, and persistent colds that don’t seem to go away.

Chronic inflammation can be caused by a variety of factors. Environmental pollutants, pesticides, chemical fertilizers, antibiotics, and fine dust are all toxic substances that contribute to inflammation. Additionally, certain dietary choices like liquid fructose in food and trans fats, as well as unhealthy lifestyle habits such as excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, stress, and overwork, can also lead to chronic inflammation.
Visceral fat is a significant contributor to chronic inflammation. Fat cells secrete an inflammatory substance called adipokine, which interferes with metabolism and leads to further fat accumulation. This creates a vicious cycle of inflammation and fat production. When you gain weight and fat cells expand, they release substances that cause inflammation. To prevent chronic inflammation, it is recommended to engage in 40 minutes of cardio exercise and 20 minutes of weight training each day. Maintaining proper posture throughout the day is also crucial. Holding a bent or fixed posture for extended periods can suppress the circulation of lymph, which is responsible for excreting waste products. This suppression can prevent inflammation from being properly managed, ultimately increasing chronic inflammation. For those who sit for long periods, stretching by leaning forward and backward can be beneficial.

To prevent chronic inflammation, it's beneficial to incorporate natural anti-inflammatory foods and supplements into your diet. An anti-inflammatory diet rich in fruits and vegetables, which are high in dietary fiber, can help reduce inflammation. It's also important to minimize the intake of instant and processed foods. Making informed choices about health supplements is crucial. Omega-3 fatty acids, such as EPA and DHA, are well-known for their anti-inflammatory properties. These fatty acids produce substances that help relieve and suppress inflammation. Regularly supplementing with omega-3s while reducing omega-6 fatty acids—commonly found in processed foods and meat—can help manage inflammation effectively. This approach reduces substances that cause inflammation while increasing those that inhibit it. Probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria, and prebiotics, which support the growth of these bacteria, also play a role in reducing inflammation in body tissues. Common prebiotics include dietary fiber, fructooligosaccharides, and inulin. MSM (methylsulfonylmethane), known for supporting joint health, is also effective in inhibiting inflammation-promoting substances. Additionally, vitamins and minerals such as the B vitamins, vitamin D, magnesium, zinc, and selenium, along with antioxidant nutrients, can help improve inflammation.

The tropical fruit noni has recently gained attention as a powerful anti-inflammatory food. Noni contains over 200 types of phytochemicals, which are bioactive substances found in plants. Among these, a phytochemical called scopoletin stands out for its anti-inflammatory properties. Scopoletin inhibits the activity of inflammatory mediators such as cytokines. Research has shown that scopoletin extracted from noni can block and treat inflammation, which is a major cause of acid reflux and stomach ulcers. It does this by inhibiting the production of nitric oxide, a compound that causes inflammation, and acting as an anti-inflammatory agent. Additionally, studies have found that adding noni extract to kidney cells can suppress cell death.

If you suffer from unexplained fatigue and various inflammatory reactions, you might be dealing with chronic inflammation. Problems in any part of our body, which is intricately connected, can lead to various diseases, much like a domino effect. Chronic inflammation is a condition that can affect anyone.

⁕ This information is general health information and not directly related to any specific product.