©Arlene R. Taylor PhD
www.arlenetaylor.org   Realizations Inc

The word inflammation derives from the Latin verb inflammare, meaning “to set on fire”—descriptive indeed of redness and heat. Aulus Cornelius Celsus, a 1st century Roman physician, is credited with being the first to describe four key signs of inflammation: redness, heat, swelling, and pain. A couple hundred years later, Galen, physician to Marcus Aurelius, put two and two together, recognizing that inflammation was linked with a reaction to injury.

In 1871, German Scientist Rudolf Virchow, sometimes called the father of modern pathology, described a fifth sign of inflammation: the loss of function in the involved area. Fast forward to the 1970s when pharmacologist John Vane figured out that some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) could block prostaglandins, pain-promoting hormones. Since then, a couple dozen drugs have been developed.

We now understand that inflammation is the brain-body immune system’s built-in defense mechanism against irritants or injury. This could involve a paper or knife cut, scratches and scrapes, recovery from surgery, a sliver or thorn in your finger, an insect bite or sting, broken bones, and the effects of chemicals or radiation. It could also include invasions of viruses, bacteria, and fungi—microorganisms that can trigger flu, colds, pneumonia, Valley Fever, and COVID-19. Inflammation is designed to help you recover, heal, and retain or regain function. This is amazing and potentially life-saving news.

Typically, inflammation is triggered as needed and returns to normal when the event is handled. Unfortunately, the immune system sometimes runs off the rails and launches an attack on the self, when there is no injury or invasion of microorganisms. It can initiate generalized and chronic inflammation, interfere with normal immune system function, and contribute to a variety of ongoing autoimmune and chronic diseases. Did you know that chronic inflammatory diseases are the most significant cause of illness and death worldwide? Estimates are that 70% of non-communicable diseases involve chronic inflammation. If they could be eliminated, 80% of heart disease, strokes, and diabetes could be prevented, along with 40% of cancers. Three of every five individuals around the world who die do so from a disease that has been linked to inflammation. This is shocking and potentially life-threatening news.

Many factors can contribute to chronic inflammation. These include:

• A high body mass index (BMI) that falls within obesity ranges. According to the World Health Organization, obesity is linked with more than 50 chronic conditions.

• Physical stress. This can include excessive high intensity exercise or insufficient exercise such as prolonged sitting, especially with your legs hanging down.

• Mental or emotional stress or chronic mental disorders. Examples include anxiety, worry, PTSD, and abuse of any type.

• Metabolic Syndrome. This may occur when a cluster of at least three of the following conditions interrupt the process of converting food to energy on a cellular level: abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high serum triglycerides, and low serum high-density lipoprotein. Estimates are that as many as 25% of adults in the U.S.A. may experience metabolic syndrome.

• Frequent colds and flu, as they trigger moderate inflammation.

• Drinking alcohol in excess, as alcohol is a brain toxin.

• Smoking, as nicotine replaces some of the oxygen with each inhalation that leaves the brain slightly anoxic.

• Exposure to PFAS chemicals in water or food or exposure to toxins such as aluminum.

Many medical conditions involve inflammation. Their names often end in “itis.” Examples follow.

• Appendix:  appendicitis
• Brain & Central Nervous System:  Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, meningitis
• Bladder:  cystitis
• Digestive system: Inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease,  ulcerative colitis
• Eyes:  macular or retinal degeneration, iritis, uveitis, conjunctivitis (pink eye)
• Ears:  otitis media
• Gallbladder:  cholecystitis
• Gums & teeth:  periodontitis
• Heart & blood vessels:  atherosclerosis, myocarditis, pericarditis
• Immune system:  autoimmune diseases i.e., Lupus
• Joints:  rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis
• Kidneys:  chronic kidney disease, nephritis
• Lungs:  asthma, allergies, COPD, lung cancer, bronchitis
• Liver:  chronic Hepatitis
• Nerves:  neuritis
• Nose:  sinusitis
• Pancreas:  type 1 diabetes, pancreatitis
• Prostate:  prostatitis: 
• Skin:  eczema, acne, psoriasis, skin cancer, dermatitis
• Stomach: stomatitis 
• Tendons:  tendonitis 
• Thyroid:  thyroiditis
• Tonsils:  tonsilitis
• Vagina:  vaginitis

There is a deadly chronic disease whose name does not end in “itis.” Do you know what it is? Alzheimer’s Disease! It accounts for 60-70% of dementia types.

Researchers are evaluating long-term brain inflammation and associated neurological complications linked with Alzheimer’s. Studies are showing that:

• Inflammation clearly occurs in Alzheimer’s brains.

• Aluminum has been found consistently in Alzheimer’s brains.

• Unhealthy lifestyle choices may contribute to the plaques and tangles that are seen in Alzheimer’s disease. Research is investigating the role that high fructose corn syrup may play in the development of Alzheimer’s plaques and tangles.

• It may be possible to develop anti-inflammatory approaches. While they may not cure Alzheimer’s, they will likely help delay its onset or slow its progression.

• Prevention may be a possibility, at least in some cases. Estimates are that only about 30% of how well and how long you live is related to genetics. At least 70% is linked with lifestyle over which most adult humans have at least partial if not complete control.

Prevention involves strategies to build into your lifestyle and maintain for the rest of your life. For example:

• Develop a positive mindset and self-talk.

• Engage in physical activity every day and minimize sitting, especially with your legs hanging down. Give your brain 30 minutes of challenge mental exercise every day.

• Brush and floss your teeth to help sweep bacteria away that can inflame the gums, which can lead to infection and trigger inflammation in the brain or body.

• Raise your Emotional Intelligence to help reduce conflict and avoid or better manage stressors, which can trigger a fight-or-flight response. Complaining doesn’t help and can suppress immune system function, increasing the risk for depression.

• Give your brain the sleep it needs. Sleep deprivation for any reason can suppress the immune system, trigger hunger and higher-caloric eating the following day, and contribute to inflammation. Seven to nine hours of sleep per night is linked with a reduced risk for many chronic diseases, including dementia.

• Do deep breathing exercises several times a day to decrease stress. Chronic stress promotes inflammation and is linked to several chronic inflammatory conditions.

• Make water your beverage of choice and avoid dehydration. Dehydration can cause brain tissue to shrink, pulling it away from the skull, and is now linked with an increased risk of dementia. Drinking water before and after physical exercise and before each meal can boost metabolism and decrease both hunger pangs and caloric intake.

• Stay within a healthy weight range for your size and body type, minimizing belly fat. Overweight and obesity trigger continuous low-level inflammation.

• Choose a Mediterranean-MIND type diet and have regular times for eating. Studies showed that those who followed this style of eating reduced their risk for developing Alzheimer’s Disease by nearly 40%. Include omega-3s as they can disrupt the production of chemicals that cause inflammation in the immune system.

• Avoid products containing aluminum. This may include some types of deodorant and makeup; cookware (without special coating); aluminum foil and food that is contaminated with aluminum.

• Read labels! Carry a magnifying glass with you, if necessary.

• Avoid or minimize foods and beverages that are known able to aggravate inflammation such as:
  • Refined sugar (it is half glucose and half fructose)
  • High fructose corn syrup by all its names (HFCS, maize syrup, glucose syrup, glucose-fructose syrup, tapioca syrup, fruit fructose, dahlia syrup, corn syrup crystalline fructose, isoglucose)
  • Fried foods
  • Highly processed and refined foods, especially fast foods and desserts
  • Red meat and processed meats
  • Hydrogenated fats, trans fats, and saturated fats
  • Foods and drinks with added sugar or any artificial sweeteners

Can inflammation be reduced? In many cases, yes.

What can you do?

• Become informed.
• Put into practice what you learn.
• Know what you can control and choose to control it.
• Identify what you cannot control and avoid or minimize it.
• Manage what you did not control or could not be controlled.
• Know that the life you save may be your own.

Based on emerging research related to the importance of a healthy lifestyle, the Realizations Inc Governing Board recently voted to make the “Longevity Lifestyle Matters Online” program free of charge to the general public. The 12 modules outline 14 key researched components that can help you stay healthier and younger for longer—when applied consistently. (15 contact hours of CE Credit for nurses is available for $30 USD)

Access LLM Online from the main menu at www.ArleneTaylor.org or at https://www.arlenetaylor.org/llm-online