Inflammation has been linked to a number of health problems. In fact, recent medical research shows that chronic inflammation, the kind that originates in your gut, is at the root of most chronic illness we experience; conditions such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, dementia, depression, cancer, and even autism.
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THE REAL CAUSE OF HEART DISEASE
Heart surgeon Dr Dwight Lundell, previous Chief of Staff and Chief of surgery at Banner heart Hospital, Mesa, Az., revealed a few years ago that inflammation in the artery wall is the real cause of heart disease. This discovery is slowly leading to a paradigm shift in how heart disease and other chronic ailments will be treated. 
Dr Lundell explained ‘Inflammation is not complicated -- it is quite simply your body's natural defence to a foreign invader such as a bacteria, toxin or virus. The cycle of inflammation is perfect in how it protects your body from these bacterial and viral invaders. However, if we chronically expose the body to injury by toxins or foods the human body was never designed to process, a condition occurs called chronic inflammation.
Chronic inflammation is just as harmful as acute inflammation is beneficial.’ When asked what were the biggest culprits of chronic inflammation, Dr Lundell replied ‘Quite simply, they are the overload of simple, highly processed carbohydrates (sugar, flour and all the products made from them) and the excess consumption of omega-6, vegetable oils like soybean, corn and sunflower that are found in many processed foods.’ CAUSE OF INFLAMMATION Dr Lundell gives a clear example of what induces inflammation. ‘Take a moment to visualize rubbing a stiff brush repeatedly over soft skin until it becomes quite red and nearly bleeding. You keep this up several times a day, every day for five years. If you could tolerate this painful brushing, you would have a bleeding, swollen infected area that became worse with each repeated injury. This is a good way to visualize the inflammatory process that could be going on in your body right now.’ INFLAMMATION ELSEWHERE IN THE BODY When no fewer than three members of my family and friends fell ill with cancer of the oesophagus, I began to wonder if this, too, is caused by chronic inflammation. The burning sensation felt with heartburn is stomach acid harming the lining of the oesophagus. Over time, repeated exposure to this stomach acid can cause a condition known as oesophagitis which is inflammation of the inside lining of the oesophagus. Most cases of oesophagitis are due to this reflux of stomach acid. The lower oesophageal sphincter, a valve-like structure, usually keeps the acidic contents of the stomach out of the oesophagus. If this valve opens when it shouldn't or doesn't close properly, the contents of the stomach may back up into the oesophagus causing what is called gastro-oesophageal reflux or GERD. Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease is described as a condition in which the backflow of acid is a frequent or ongoing problem. A complication of GERD is chronic inflammation and tissue damage in the oesophagus. |
Acknowledgement: Medicine.net.inc
EFFECTS OF CHRONIC HEARTBURN
Acid reflux happens to nearly everyone at some point in time and it is not normally something to worry about, but if you have acid reflux/heartburn more than twice a week over a period of several weeks, are constantly taking heartburn medications and antacids yet the symptoms keep returning, you may have developed GERD. If left untreated this can, in some cases, lead to more serious problems. It is thought that chronic irritation of the oesophagus may contribute to the changes that cause oesophageal cancer. According to statistics, oesophageal cancer is the sixth most common cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Incidence rates vary within different geographic locations. In some regions, higher rates of oesophageal cancer may be attributed to tobacco and alcohol use or particular nutritional habits and obesity. Over the counter antacids can counteract (neutralise) the acid in the stomach and temporarily relieve indigestion and heartburn, but too many antacids will make matters worse because they obviously reduce the acidity in the stomach, acidity that is essential for proper digestion. Health authorities warn that while antacids can quickly relieve the symptoms for a few hours, they do not treat the underlying cause and long-term use is not recommended. A more natural way to relieve heartburn in the short term is to take half a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda dissolved in 4 ounces of water. HOW TO PREVENT INFLAMMATION By far the best way to prevent inflammation in the alimentary canal, as Dr.Lundell advises, is to go back to consuming foods closer to their natural state. Eat plenty of fresh fruit, preferably raw, and fresh green and root vegetables especially carrots, parsnips and leeks for their fibre content. Colourful vegetables such as red and yellow peppers and aubergines also make an important addition to a healthy diet. Lightly stewed fruit, cooked without sugar, can be made very palatable by mixing in a crushed banana when the fruit has cooled. Shun inflammation-causing omega-6 fats like polyunsaturated seed oils, (corn oil, rape seed oil, sunflower oil etc) and the processed foods that are made from them. Cook with natural fats such as duck fat, dripping or lard. Avoid fried and fatty foods, spicy food, tomatoes, citrus fruit, and excess alcohol and caffeine. |
