Re: Inflammation, and immune system.

[Guest guest]

Great info Dede! In fact, so great it bears repeating! For those who want to

start a health program, this is a perfect list of things to do. And then add in

detoxing!

Here is what I recommend. It's a disarmingly simple but extraordinarily

effective way to achieve UltraWellness:

> 1. Whole Foods -- Eat a whole foods, high-fiber, plant-based diet, which is

inherently anti-inflammatory. That means choosing unprocessed, unrefined, whole,

fresh, real foods, not those full of sugar and trans fats and low in powerful

anti-inflammatory plant chemicals called phytonutrients. (Patty's note: Go

through your cupboards and throw out the processed foods! Stick with all

natural whole foods. Shop only the perimeter of the grocery stores...produce,

meats, organic yogurt.)

>

> 2. Healthy Fats -- Give yourself an oil change by eating healthy

monounsaturated fats in olive oil, nuts and avocadoes, and getting more omega-3

fats from small fish like sardines, herring, sable, and wild salmon. (Patty's

note: Throw out the big bottles of clear oils! No more corn oil, crisco, etc.

Buy only organic olive oil for cooking, coconut oil for baking, and use only

organic butter. No margarine!)

> 3. Regular Exercise- Mounting evidence tells us that regular exercise reduces

inflammation. It also improves immune function, strengthens your cardiovascular

systems, corrects and prevents insulin resistance, and is key for improving your

mood and erasing the effects of stress. In fact, regular exercise is one among a

small handful of lifestyle changes that correlates with improved health in

virtually ALL of the scientific literature. So get moving already! (Patty's

note: Get walking if you can. Or jump rope. Or use a mini-trampoline.)

> 4. Relax -- Learn how to engage your vagus nerve by actively relaxing. This

powerful nerve relaxes your whole body and lowers inflammation when you practice

yoga or meditation, breathe deeply, or even take a hot bath. (Patty's note:

Music and a rocking chair worked for me.)

> 5. Avoid Allergens -- If you have food allergies, find out what you're

allergic to and get stop eating those foods --gluten and dairy are two common

culprits. (Patty's note: You can become allergic to common foods after you get

sick from breast implants. Don't assume if you've never had allergies you still

don't have them. I became allergic to chocolate and brewer's yeast after

implants. Learn to listen to your body. If you can't tell what is affecting

you after eating, then go on a very simple diet of rice and vegetables and

slowly add foods back in, monitoring your reaction for a day. Many women with

implants do better on a gluten free diet. )

> 6. Heal Your Gut -- Take probiotics to help your digestion and improve the

balance of healthy bacteria in your gut, which reduces inflammation. (Patty's

note: This is a must. I recommend Garden of Life's Primal Defense for a good

probiotic. You can also eat fermented foods, such as yogurt, kefir and RAW

sauerkraut found in the refrigerated case at the health food store.)

> 7. Supplement -- Take a multivitamin/multimineral supplement, fish oil, and

vitamin D, all of which help reduce inflammation.

>

>

>

> Interesting articles....

> INFLAMMATION AND THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

>

>

> The immune system is a complex array of organs, tissues and specialized cells

that protects us from outside invaders, such as bacteria, viruses, allergens and

from harmful insiders, such as infected cells and toxins. Sometimes, the immune

system turns on itself-hence the term autoimmune-damaging tissues and producing

substances that generate chronic health conditions. Examples of autoimmune

diseases include type 1 diabetes (insulin-dependent), multiple sclerosis,

rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. The body's handling of

polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) is involved in each of these conditions.

> One protective action of the immune system is inflammation, a response that

fights bacteria and other infectious agents. But when inflammatory responses are

excessive, as they are in asthma and rheumatoid arthritis, they result in

redness, swelling, pain, stiffness and other symptoms. Inflammatory responses

account for the wheeze and breathing difficulties in asthma, kidney inflammation

in nephritis, itchiness of eczema, and the red wheals of insect bites and

allergic dermatitis. Many medicines work by suppressing excessive inflammation.

> Inflammation is characteristic of several chronic diseases such as

atherosclerosis (clogged arteries). Inflammation develops in tissues such as

blood vessel walls, lungs, and connective tissue partly through the activity of

macrophages, cells that protect by scavenging unwanted particles, invading

organisms and toxins (Figure 1). However, the hostile side of macrophage

activity is the production of pro-inflammatory substances that worsen

atherosclerosis.

> Immune and inflammatory responses also underlie allergies, including those

triggered by food and inhaled particles such as pollen and dust mites. Sensitive

or allergic individuals react to harmless substances (allergens) by launching an

immune response. For example, certain foods, pollen and dust mites can trigger

allergic reactions. In allergic responses, the immune system produces large

amounts of a particular antibody called IgE. Interaction of the allergen with

IgE triggers a cascade of events resulting in allergic symptoms (Figure 2).

> POLYUNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS IN INFLAMMATION

> PUFAs are the precursors of substances that can promote or restrain

inflammation. As a group, these chemicals are called eicosanoids. The most

widespread eicosanoids are derived from arachidonic acid, an omega-6 PUFA. These

eicosanoids stimulate blood clotting that can result in heart attack and stroke

and they contribute to plaque formation in blood vessel walls. They also

generate cytokines-mediators of inflammatory processes-that harm blood vessel

walls. In the lungs and respiratory passages, another type of arachidonic

acid-derived eicosanoid, leukotrienes, constrict the airway muscles making

breathing more difficult. Leukotrienes can trigger asthma attacks. Anti-asthma

drugs work by interfering with leukotriene activity.

> The PUFAs found in fish oil, mainly EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA

(docosahexaenoic acid) suppress and counter-act the activity of arachidonic

acid-derived eicosanoids. EPA, in particular, competes with arachidonic acid for

incorporation into cell membranes. Through this competition, it reduces the

amount of arachidonic acid available for eicosanoid production. In addition, EPA

generates its own type of eicosanoids that have less potent inflammatory

activity

> than those made from arachidonic acid.

> Arachidonic acid also generates substances called lipoxins that work to stop

inflammatory activity. This means that arachidonic acid is active in promoting

and ending inflammatory responses. In a similar way, EPA also generates

substances called " resolvins " that hasten the end of inflammation. Aspirin

facilitates the production of lipoxins and resolvins. Thus, fish oil PUFAs

oppose inflammatory activity through decreased production of inflammatory

mediators, production of weaker eicosanoids and increased production of

substances that halt inflammation. As a result they lessen the inflammatory

symptoms of asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, inflammatory bowel

disease and others. There is also some recent evidence that fish oil-derived

resolvins are anti-inflammatory under conditions, such as severe gum disease,

where lipoxins from arachidonic acid are not. These emerging findings suggest

that fish oil PUFAs may have unique anti-inflammatory effects in certain disease

conditions.

>

>

>

> http://www.fatsoflife.com/inflammation-and-the-immune-system.php

> Is Your Body Burning Up with Hidden Inflammation?

> Could something as simple as a quick and easy blood test save your life?

> Absolutely.

> It is called a C-reactive protein test, and it measures the degree of HIDDEN

inflammation in your body.

> Finding out whether or not you are suffering from hidden inflammation is

critical, because almost every modern disease is caused or affected by it.

> If your immune system and its ability to quell inflammation in your body are

impaired, watch out. You are headed toward illness and premature aging.

> Fortunately, addressing the causes of inflammation and learning how to live an

anti-inflammatory lifestyle can dramatically improve your health.

> Today, I am going to review what the primary causes of inflammation are and

give you a simple, 7-step approach that will help you cool the fires raging out

of control in your body.

> Cooling off Inflammation is Key #3 to UltraWellness and in this blog -- the

third in this 7-part series on the 7 keys to UltraWellness -- I am going to

teach you how to do just that.

> The first step is to understand what inflammation is and why it can become so

dangerous.

> Inflammation: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

> Everyone who has had a sore throat, rash, hives, or a sprained ankle knows

about inflammation. These are normal and appropriate responses of the immune --

your body’s defense system -- to infection and trauma.

> This kind of inflammation is good. We need it to survive -- to help us

determine friend from foe.

> The trouble occurs when that defense system runs out of control, like a rebel

army bent on destroying its own country.

> Many of us are familiar with an overactive immune response and too much

inflammation. It results in common conditions like allergies, rheumatoid

arthritis, autoimmune disease, and asthma. This is bad inflammation, and if it

is left unchecked it can become downright ugly.

> What few people understand is that hidden inflammation run amok is at the root

of all chronic illness we experience -- conditions like heart disease, obesity,

diabetes, dementia, depression, cancer, and even autism.

> A study of a generally " healthy " elderly population found that those with the

highest levels of C-reactive protein and interleukin 6 (two markers of systemic

inflammation) were 260 percent more likely to die during the next 4 years. The

increase in deaths was due to cardiovascular and other causes.

> We may feel healthy, but if this inflammation is raging inside of us, then we

are in trouble.

> The real concern is not our response to immediate injury, infection, or

insult. It is the chronic, smoldering inflammation that slowly destroys our

organs and our ability to function optimally and leads to rapid aging.

> Common treatments such as anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen or aspirin) and

steroids like prednisone -- though often useful for acute problems -- interfere

with the body’s own immune response and can lead to serious and deadly side

effects.

> In fact, as many people die from taking anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen

every year as die from asthma or leukemia. Stopping these drugs would be

equivalent to finding the cure for asthma or leukemia †" - that’s a bold

statement, but the data is there to back it up.

> Meanwhile, the real effects of statin drugs like Lipitor in reducing heart

disease may have nothing to do with lowering cholesterol, but with their

unintended side effect of reducing inflammation.

> But is taking medication the right approach to addressing the problem of

inflammation?

> No. It is DOWNSTREAM medicine.

> Here’s how UPSTREAM medicine thinks about inflammation ...

> How to Locate the Causes of Hidden Inflammation

> So if inflammation and immune imbalances are at the root of most of modern

disease, how do we find the causes and get the body back in balance?

> First, we need to identify the triggers and causes of inflammation. Then we

need to help reset the body’s natural immune balance by providing the right

conditions for it to thrive.

> As a doctor, my job is to find those inflammatory factors unique to each

person and to see how various lifestyle, environmental, or infectious factors

spin the immune system out of control, leading to a host of chronic illnesses.

> Thankfully, the list of things that cause inflammation is relatively short:

> • Poor diet†" mostly sugar, refined flours, processed foods, and

inflammatory fats such as trans and saturated fats

>

> • Lack of exercise

> • Stress

> • Hidden or chronic infections with viruses, bacteria, yeasts, or parasites

> • Hidden allergens from food or the environment

> • Toxins such as mercury and pesticides

> • Mold toxins and allergens

>

> By listening carefully to a person’s story and performing a few specific

tests , I can discover the causes of inflammation most people.

> It’s important to understand that this concept of inflammation is not

specific to any one organ or medical specialty. In fact, if you read a medical

journal from any field of medicine, you will find endless articles about how

inflammation is at the root of problems with the particular organ or area they

focus on.

> So what’s the problem?

> There is almost no communication between specialties. Everyone is treating the

downstream effects of inflammation, but addressing the causes of inflammation

that are upstream could help people who have multiple problems that are really

linked together by this common root cause.

> Take, for example, a man who came to see me recently. He wanted to climb a

mountain and asked for my help to get healthy. He was 57 years old and took

about 15 medications for six different inflammatory conditions: high blood

pressure, pre-diabetes, colitis, reflux, asthma, and an autoimmune disease of

his hair follicles called alopecia.

> Yet when I asked him how he felt, he said " great " . I told him I was surprised

because he was on so many medications.

> Yes, he said, but everything was very well controlled with the latest

medications prescribed by the top specialists he saw in every field†" the lung

doctor for his asthma, the gastroenterologist for his colitis and reflux, the

cardiologist for his high blood pressure, the endocrinologist for his

pre-diabetes, the dermatologist for his hair loss.

> But did any of those specialists ask him why he had six different inflammatory

diseases and why his immune system was so pissed off? Was it just bad luck that

he " got " all these diseases -- or was there something connecting all these

problems?

> He looked puzzled and said " no " .

> I then searched for and uncovered the cause of his problems: gluten. He had

celiac disease, an autoimmune disease related to eating gluten, the protein

found in wheat, barley, rye, spelt, and oats.

> Six months later he came back to see me. He had lost 25 pounds, had no more

high blood pressure, asthma, reflux, or colitis, and said he had normal bowel

movements for the first time in his life. His hair was even growing back. And he

was off nearly all his medications.

> 7 Steps to Living an Anti-inflammatory Life

> So once you have figured out the causes of inflammation in your life, gotten

rid of them, the next step is to keep living an anti-inflammatory lifestyle. But

how do you do that?

> Here is what I recommend. It’s a disarmingly simple but extraordinarily

effective way to achieve UltraWellness:

> 1. Whole Foods -- Eat a whole foods, high-fiber, plant-based diet, which is

inherently anti-inflammatory. That means choosing unprocessed, unrefined, whole,

fresh, real foods, not those full of sugar and trans fats and low in powerful

anti-inflammatory plant chemicals called phytonutrients.

>

> 2. Healthy Fats -- Give yourself an oil change by eating healthy

monounsaturated fats in olive oil, nuts and avocadoes, and getting more omega-3

fats from small fish like sardines, herring, sable, and wild salmon.

> 3. Regular Exercise †" - Mounting evidence tells us that regular exercise

reduces inflammation. It also improves immune function, strengthens your

cardiovascular systems, corrects and prevents insulin resistance, and is key for

improving your mood and erasing the effects of stress. In fact, regular exercise

is one among a small handful of lifestyle changes that correlates with improved

health in virtually ALL of the scientific literature. So get moving already!

> 4. Relax -- Learn how to engage your vagus nerve by actively relaxing. This

powerful nerve relaxes your whole body and lowers inflammation when you practice

yoga or meditation, breathe deeply, or even take a hot bath.

> 5. Avoid Allergens -- If you have food allergies, find out what you’re

allergic to and get stop eating those foods†" gluten and dairy are two common

culprits.

> 6. Heal Your Gut -- Take probiotics to help your digestion and improve the

balance of healthy bacteria in your gut, which reduces inflammation.

> 7. Supplement -- Take a multivitamin/multimineral supplement, fish oil, and

vitamin D, all of which help reduce inflammation.

>

> Taking this comprehensive approach to inflammation and balancing your immune

system addresses one of the most important core systems of the body.

> In the future, medicine may no longer have specialties like cardiology or

neurology or gastroenterology, but new specialists like " inflammologists " .

> But by understanding these concepts and core systems that are the basis of

healthy living now, you don’t have to wait.

> Now I’d like to hear from you ...

> Have you had your C-reactive protein tested?

> Do you think inflammation may be at the core of your health condition?

> Why do you think so many doctors practice downstream medicine instead of

catching problems early with upstream medicine?

> Please let me know your thoughts by posting a comment below.

> To your good health,

> Mark Hyman, MD

> http://www.ultrawellness.com/blog/ultrawellness-key-3

>

>

>

> When the power of love

> overcomes the love of power

> the world will know peace.

> ~ Jimi Hendrix

>

[Guest guest]

There was actually one more item that the author might have considered including

on his list, and that was to address the problem of hidden chronic infections

with viruses, bacteria, fungus or parasites. Dr. Stoff once said that

the first step in healing any disease is to reduce the loads of these pathogens

in the body.

This can be done with consistent use of natural anti-fungals, anti-bacterials,

anti-parasitics, such as raw garlic, oil of oregano, olive leaf extract,

grapefruit seed extract, caprylic acid, echinacea, and more.

For instance, a candida infection can be brought under control through modified

diet and the use of 3600 mg of caprylic acid a day for 2 weeks. Since we are

constantly exposed to viruses, bacteria and fungus, and have compromised immune

systems, staying on these natural fighters consistently is an important defense.

My favorite is raw garlic, because bacteria never develop resistance to it. The

allicin in raw garlic remains a potent anti-viral, anti-bacterial and

anti-fungal agent. The only problem with raw garlic is that is makes you stink,

and so you have to work around your social engagements.

Parasite infections are harder to deal with, and need the focus of a program

designed to rid the body of them.

But I just thought I would mention that it's a good idea to address this

problem, because it no doubt is one area that we all have to struggle with.

Some women need potent antibiotics to address a chronic and raging infection,

but these subclinical infections can also present lasting problems just under

our radar as we try to heal.

Patty

> >

> >

> > Interesting articles....

> > INFLAMMATION AND THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

> >

> >

> > The immune system is a complex array of organs, tissues and specialized

cells that protects us from outside invaders, such as bacteria, viruses,

allergens and from harmful insiders, such as infected cells and toxins.

Sometimes, the immune system turns on itself-hence the term autoimmune-damaging

tissues and producing substances that generate chronic health conditions.

Examples of autoimmune diseases include type 1 diabetes (insulin-dependent),

multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. The

body's handling of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) is involved in each of

these conditions.

> > One protective action of the immune system is inflammation, a response that

fights bacteria and other infectious agents. But when inflammatory responses are

excessive, as they are in asthma and rheumatoid arthritis, they result in

redness, swelling, pain, stiffness and other symptoms. Inflammatory responses

account for the wheeze and breathing difficulties in asthma, kidney inflammation

in nephritis, itchiness of eczema, and the red wheals of insect bites and

allergic dermatitis. Many medicines work by suppressing excessive inflammation.

> > Inflammation is characteristic of several chronic diseases such as

atherosclerosis (clogged arteries). Inflammation develops in tissues such as

blood vessel walls, lungs, and connective tissue partly through the activity of

macrophages, cells that protect by scavenging unwanted particles, invading

organisms and toxins (Figure 1). However, the hostile side of macrophage

activity is the production of pro-inflammatory substances that worsen

atherosclerosis.

> > Immune and inflammatory responses also underlie allergies, including those

triggered by food and inhaled particles such as pollen and dust mites. Sensitive

or allergic individuals react to harmless substances (allergens) by launching an

immune response. For example, certain foods, pollen and dust mites can trigger

allergic reactions. In allergic responses, the immune system produces large

amounts of a particular antibody called IgE. Interaction of the allergen with

IgE triggers a cascade of events resulting in allergic symptoms (Figure 2).

> > POLYUNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS IN INFLAMMATION

> > PUFAs are the precursors of substances that can promote or restrain

inflammation. As a group, these chemicals are called eicosanoids. The most

widespread eicosanoids are derived from arachidonic acid, an omega-6 PUFA. These

eicosanoids stimulate blood clotting that can result in heart attack and stroke

and they contribute to plaque formation in blood vessel walls. They also

generate cytokines-mediators of inflammatory processes-that harm blood vessel

walls. In the lungs and respiratory passages, another type of arachidonic

acid-derived eicosanoid, leukotrienes, constrict the airway muscles making

breathing more difficult. Leukotrienes can trigger asthma attacks. Anti-asthma

drugs work by interfering with leukotriene activity.

> > The PUFAs found in fish oil, mainly EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA

(docosahexaenoic acid) suppress and counter-act the activity of arachidonic

acid-derived eicosanoids. EPA, in particular, competes with arachidonic acid for

incorporation into cell membranes. Through this competition, it reduces the

amount of arachidonic acid available for eicosanoid production. In addition, EPA

generates its own type of eicosanoids that have less potent inflammatory

activity

> > than those made from arachidonic acid.

> > Arachidonic acid also generates substances called lipoxins that work to stop

inflammatory activity. This means that arachidonic acid is active in promoting

and ending inflammatory responses. In a similar way, EPA also generates

substances called " resolvins " that hasten the end of inflammation. Aspirin

facilitates the production of lipoxins and resolvins. Thus, fish oil PUFAs

oppose inflammatory activity through decreased production of inflammatory

mediators, production of weaker eicosanoids and increased production of

substances that halt inflammation. As a result they lessen the inflammatory

symptoms of asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, inflammatory bowel

disease and others. There is also some recent evidence that fish oil-derived

resolvins are anti-inflammatory under conditions, such as severe gum disease,

where lipoxins from arachidonic acid are not. These emerging findings suggest

that fish oil PUFAs may have unique anti-inflammatory effects in certain disease

conditions.

> >

> >

> >

> > http://www.fatsoflife.com/inflammation-and-the-immune-system.php

> > Is Your Body Burning Up with Hidden Inflammation?

> > Could something as simple as a quick and easy blood test save your life?

> > Absolutely.

> > It is called a C-reactive protein test, and it measures the degree of HIDDEN

inflammation in your body.

> > Finding out whether or not you are suffering from hidden inflammation is

critical, because almost every modern disease is caused or affected by it.

> > If your immune system and its ability to quell inflammation in your body are

impaired, watch out. You are headed toward illness and premature aging.

> > Fortunately, addressing the causes of inflammation and learning how to live

an anti-inflammatory lifestyle can dramatically improve your health.

> > Today, I am going to review what the primary causes of inflammation are and

give you a simple, 7-step approach that will help you cool the fires raging out

of control in your body.

> > Cooling off Inflammation is Key #3 to UltraWellness and in this blog -- the

third in this 7-part series on the 7 keys to UltraWellness -- I am going to

teach you how to do just that.

> > The first step is to understand what inflammation is and why it can become

so dangerous.

> > Inflammation: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

> > Everyone who has had a sore throat, rash, hives, or a sprained ankle knows

about inflammation. These are normal and appropriate responses of the immune --

your body’s defense system -- to infection and trauma.

> > This kind of inflammation is good. We need it to survive -- to help us

determine friend from foe.

> > The trouble occurs when that defense system runs out of control, like a

rebel army bent on destroying its own country.

> > Many of us are familiar with an overactive immune response and too much

inflammation. It results in common conditions like allergies, rheumatoid

arthritis, autoimmune disease, and asthma. This is bad inflammation, and if it

is left unchecked it can become downright ugly.

> > What few people understand is that hidden inflammation run amok is at the

root of all chronic illness we experience -- conditions like heart disease,

obesity, diabetes, dementia, depression, cancer, and even autism.

> > A study of a generally " healthy " elderly population found that those with

the highest levels of C-reactive protein and interleukin 6 (two markers of

systemic inflammation) were 260 percent more likely to die during the next 4

years. The increase in deaths was due to cardiovascular and other causes.

> > We may feel healthy, but if this inflammation is raging inside of us, then

we are in trouble.

> > The real concern is not our response to immediate injury, infection, or

insult. It is the chronic, smoldering inflammation that slowly destroys our

organs and our ability to function optimally and leads to rapid aging.

> > Common treatments such as anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen or aspirin) and

steroids like prednisone -- though often useful for acute problems -- interfere

with the body’s own immune response and can lead to serious and deadly

side effects.

> > In fact, as many people die from taking anti-inflammatory drugs like

ibuprofen every year as die from asthma or leukemia. Stopping these drugs would

be equivalent to finding the cure for asthma or leukemia †" - that’s a

bold statement, but the data is there to back it up.

> > Meanwhile, the real effects of statin drugs like Lipitor in reducing heart

disease may have nothing to do with lowering cholesterol, but with their

unintended side effect of reducing inflammation.

> > But is taking medication the right approach to addressing the problem of

inflammation?

> > No. It is DOWNSTREAM medicine.

> > Here’s how UPSTREAM medicine thinks about inflammation ...

> > How to Locate the Causes of Hidden Inflammation

> > So if inflammation and immune imbalances are at the root of most of modern

disease, how do we find the causes and get the body back in balance?

> > First, we need to identify the triggers and causes of inflammation. Then we

need to help reset the body’s natural immune balance by providing the

right conditions for it to thrive.

> > As a doctor, my job is to find those inflammatory factors unique to each

person and to see how various lifestyle, environmental, or infectious factors

spin the immune system out of control, leading to a host of chronic illnesses.

> > Thankfully, the list of things that cause inflammation is relatively short:

> > • Poor diet†" mostly sugar, refined flours, processed foods, and

inflammatory fats such as trans and saturated fats

> >

> > • Lack of exercise

> > • Stress

> > • Hidden or chronic infections with viruses, bacteria, yeasts, or

parasites

> > • Hidden allergens from food or the environment

> > • Toxins such as mercury and pesticides

> > • Mold toxins and allergens

> >

> > By listening carefully to a person’s story and performing a few

specific tests , I can discover the causes of inflammation most people.

> > It’s important to understand that this concept of inflammation is not

specific to any one organ or medical specialty. In fact, if you read a medical

journal from any field of medicine, you will find endless articles about how

inflammation is at the root of problems with the particular organ or area they

focus on.

> > So what’s the problem?

> > There is almost no communication between specialties. Everyone is treating

the downstream effects of inflammation, but addressing the causes of

inflammation that are upstream could help people who have multiple problems that

are really linked together by this common root cause.

> > Take, for example, a man who came to see me recently. He wanted to climb a

mountain and asked for my help to get healthy. He was 57 years old and took

about 15 medications for six different inflammatory conditions: high blood

pressure, pre-diabetes, colitis, reflux, asthma, and an autoimmune disease of

his hair follicles called alopecia.

> > Yet when I asked him how he felt, he said " great " . I told him I was

surprised because he was on so many medications.

> > Yes, he said, but everything was very well controlled with the latest

medications prescribed by the top specialists he saw in every field†" the

lung doctor for his asthma, the gastroenterologist for his colitis and reflux,

the cardiologist for his high blood pressure, the endocrinologist for his

pre-diabetes, the dermatologist for his hair loss.

> > But did any of those specialists ask him why he had six different

inflammatory diseases and why his immune system was so pissed off? Was it just

bad luck that he " got " all these diseases -- or was there something connecting

all these problems?

> > He looked puzzled and said " no " .

> > I then searched for and uncovered the cause of his problems: gluten. He had

celiac disease, an autoimmune disease related to eating gluten, the protein

found in wheat, barley, rye, spelt, and oats.

> > Six months later he came back to see me. He had lost 25 pounds, had no more

high blood pressure, asthma, reflux, or colitis, and said he had normal bowel

movements for the first time in his life. His hair was even growing back. And he

was off nearly all his medications.

> > 7 Steps to Living an Anti-inflammatory Life

> > So once you have figured out the causes of inflammation in your life, gotten

rid of them, the next step is to keep living an anti-inflammatory lifestyle. But

how do you do that?

> > Here is what I recommend. It’s a disarmingly simple but

extraordinarily effective way to achieve UltraWellness:

> > 1. Whole Foods -- Eat a whole foods, high-fiber, plant-based diet, which is

inherently anti-inflammatory. That means choosing unprocessed, unrefined, whole,

fresh, real foods, not those full of sugar and trans fats and low in powerful

anti-inflammatory plant chemicals called phytonutrients.

> >

> > 2. Healthy Fats -- Give yourself an oil change by eating healthy

monounsaturated fats in olive oil, nuts and avocadoes, and getting more omega-3

fats from small fish like sardines, herring, sable, and wild salmon.

> > 3. Regular Exercise †" - Mounting evidence tells us that regular exercise

reduces inflammation. It also improves immune function, strengthens your

cardiovascular systems, corrects and prevents insulin resistance, and is key for

improving your mood and erasing the effects of stress. In fact, regular exercise

is one among a small handful of lifestyle changes that correlates with improved

health in virtually ALL of the scientific literature. So get moving already!

> > 4. Relax -- Learn how to engage your vagus nerve by actively relaxing. This

powerful nerve relaxes your whole body and lowers inflammation when you practice

yoga or meditation, breathe deeply, or even take a hot bath.

> > 5. Avoid Allergens -- If you have food allergies, find out what

you’re allergic to and get stop eating those foods†" gluten and dairy

are two common culprits.

> > 6. Heal Your Gut -- Take probiotics to help your digestion and improve the

balance of healthy bacteria in your gut, which reduces inflammation.

> > 7. Supplement -- Take a multivitamin/multimineral supplement, fish oil, and

vitamin D, all of which help reduce inflammation.

> >

> > Taking this comprehensive approach to inflammation and balancing your immune

system addresses one of the most important core systems of the body.

> > In the future, medicine may no longer have specialties like cardiology or

neurology or gastroenterology, but new specialists like " inflammologists " .

> > But by understanding these concepts and core systems that are the basis of

healthy living now, you don’t have to wait.

> > Now I’d like to hear from you ...

> > Have you had your C-reactive protein tested?

> > Do you think inflammation may be at the core of your health condition?

> > Why do you think so many doctors practice downstream medicine instead of

catching problems early with upstream medicine?

> > Please let me know your thoughts by posting a comment below.

> > To your good health,

> > Mark Hyman, MD

> > http://www.ultrawellness.com/blog/ultrawellness-key-3

> >

> >

> >

> > When the power of love

> > overcomes the love of power

> > the world will know peace.

> > ~ Jimi Hendrix

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I forgot to add in my last post that includes what I do to support my body that I eat raw garlic every day ! I make my own hot sauce, and I eat it dailey......it also includes cilantro which detoxes mercury, and cayanne pepper good for arthritis and black pepper good for inflammation.

Ingredients I use:

carrots

onions

garlic

cilantro

diced tomatoes

tomatoe sauce

green chilis

jalapenos

garlic salt

sea salt

cayanne pepper

black pepper

When the power of love

overcomes the love of power

the world will know peace.

~ Jimi Hendrix

Re: Inflammation, and immune system.

There was actually one more item that the author might have considered including on his list, and that was to address the problem of hidden chronic infections with viruses, bacteria, fungus or parasites. Dr. Stoff once said that the first step in healing any disease is to reduce the loads of these pathogens in the body.

This can be done with consistent use of natural anti-fungals, anti-bacterials, anti-parasitics, such as raw garlic, oil of oregano, olive leaf extract, grapefruit seed extract, caprylic acid, echinacea, and more.

For instance, a candida infection can be brought under control through modified diet and the use of 3600 mg of caprylic acid a day for 2 weeks. Since we are constantly exposed to viruses, bacteria and fungus, and have compromised immune systems, staying on these natural fighters consistently is an important defense.

My favorite is raw garlic, because bacteria never develop resistance to it. The allicin in raw garlic remains a potent anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agent. The only problem with raw garlic is that is makes you stink, and so you have to work around your social engagements.

Parasite infections are harder to deal with, and need the focus of a program designed to rid the body of them.

But I just thought I would mention that it's a good idea to address this problem, because it no doubt is one area that we all have to struggle with. Some women need potent antibiotics to address a chronic and raging infection, but these subclinical infections can also present lasting problems just under our radar as we try to heal.

Patty

> >

> >

> > Interesting articles....

> > INFLAMMATION AND THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

> >

> >

> > The immune system is a complex array of organs, tissues and specialized cells that protects us from outside invaders, such as bacteria, viruses, allergens and from harmful insiders, such as infected cells and toxins. Sometimes, the immune system turns on itself-hence the term autoimmune-damaging tissues and producing substances that generate chronic health conditions. Examples of autoimmune diseases include type 1 diabetes (insulin-dependent), multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. The body's handling of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) is involved in each of these conditions.

> > One protective action of the immune system is inflammation, a response that fights bacteria and other infectious agents. But when inflammatory responses are excessive, as they are in asthma and rheumatoid arthritis, they result in redness, swelling, pain, stiffness and other symptoms. Inflammatory responses account for the wheeze and breathing difficulties in asthma, kidney inflammation in nephritis, itchiness of eczema, and the red wheals of insect bites and allergic dermatitis. Many medicines work by suppressing excessive inflammation.

> > Inflammation is characteristic of several chronic diseases such as atherosclerosis (clogged arteries). Inflammation develops in tissues such as blood vessel walls, lungs, and connective tissue partly through the activity of macrophages, cells that protect by scavenging unwanted particles, invading organisms and toxins (Figure 1). However, the hostile side of macrophage activity is the production of pro-inflammatory substances that worsen atherosclerosis.

> > Immune and inflammatory responses also underlie allergies, including those triggered by food and inhaled particles such as pollen and dust mites. Sensitive or allergic individuals react to harmless substances (allergens) by launching an immune response. For example, certain foods, pollen and dust mites can trigger allergic reactions. In allergic responses, the immune system produces large amounts of a particular antibody called IgE. Interaction of the allergen with IgE triggers a cascade of events resulting in allergic symptoms (Figure 2).

> > POLYUNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS IN INFLAMMATION

> > PUFAs are the precursors of substances that can promote or restrain inflammation. As a group, these chemicals are called eicosanoids. The most widespread eicosanoids are derived from arachidonic acid, an omega-6 PUFA. These eicosanoids stimulate blood clotting that can result in heart attack and stroke and they contribute to plaque formation in blood vessel walls. They also generate cytokines-mediators of inflammatory processes-that harm blood vessel walls. In the lungs and respiratory passages, another type of arachidonic acid-derived eicosanoid, leukotrienes, constrict the airway muscles making breathing more difficult. Leukotrienes can trigger asthma attacks. Anti-asthma drugs work by interfering with leukotriene activity.

> > The PUFAs found in fish oil, mainly EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) suppress and counter-act the activity of arachidonic acid-derived eicosanoids. EPA, in particular, competes with arachidonic acid for incorporation into cell membranes. Through this competition, it reduces the amount of arachidonic acid available for eicosanoid production. In addition, EPA generates its own type of eicosanoids that have less potent inflammatory activity

> > than those made from arachidonic acid.

> > Arachidonic acid also generates substances called lipoxins that work to stop inflammatory activity. This means that arachidonic acid is active in promoting and ending inflammatory responses. In a similar way, EPA also generates substances called "resolvins" that hasten the end of inflammation. Aspirin facilitates the production of lipoxins and resolvins. Thus, fish oil PUFAs oppose inflammatory activity through decreased production of inflammatory mediators, production of weaker eicosanoids and increased production of substances that halt inflammation. As a result they lessen the inflammatory symptoms of asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease and others. There is also some recent evidence that fish oil-derived resolvins are anti-inflammatory under conditions, such as severe gum disease, where lipoxins from arachidonic acid are not. These emerging findings suggest that fish oil PUFAs may have unique anti-inflammatory effects in certain disease conditions.

> >

> >

> >

> > http://www.fatsoflife.com/inflammation-and-the-immune-system.php

> > Is Your Body Burning Up with Hidden Inflammation?

> > Could something as simple as a quick and easy blood test save your life?

> > Absolutely.

> > It is called a C-reactive protein test, and it measures the degree of HIDDEN inflammation in your body.

> > Finding out whether or not you are suffering from hidden inflammation is critical, because almost every modern disease is caused or affected by it.

> > If your immune system and its ability to quell inflammation in your body are impaired, watch out. You are headed toward illness and premature aging.

> > Fortunately, addressing the causes of inflammation and learning how to live an anti-inflammatory lifestyle can dramatically improve your health.

> > Today, I am going to review what the primary causes of inflammation are and give you a simple, 7-step approach that will help you cool the fires raging out of control in your body.

> > Cooling off Inflammation is Key #3 to UltraWellness and in this blog -- the third in this 7-part series on the 7 keys to UltraWellness -- I am going to teach you how to do just that.

> > The first step is to understand what inflammation is and why it can become so dangerous.

> > Inflammation: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

> > Everyone who has had a sore throat, rash, hives, or a sprained ankle knows about inflammation. These are normal and appropriate responses of the immune -- your body’s defense system -- to infection and trauma.

> > This kind of inflammation is good. We need it to survive -- to help us determine friend from foe.

> > The trouble occurs when that defense system runs out of control, like a rebel army bent on destroying its own country.

> > Many of us are familiar with an overactive immune response and too much inflammation. It results in common conditions like allergies, rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune disease, and asthma. This is bad inflammation, and if it is left unchecked it can become downright ugly.

> > What few people understand is that hidden inflammation run amok is at the root of all chronic illness we experience -- conditions like heart disease, obesity, diabetes, dementia, depression, cancer, and even autism.

> > A study of a generally "healthy" elderly population found that those with the highest levels of C-reactive protein and interleukin 6 (two markers of systemic inflammation) were 260 percent more likely to die during the next 4 years. The increase in deaths was due to cardiovascular and other causes.

> > We may feel healthy, but if this inflammation is raging inside of us, then we are in trouble.

> > The real concern is not our response to immediate injury, infection, or insult. It is the chronic, smoldering inflammation that slowly destroys our organs and our ability to function optimally and leads to rapid aging.

> > Common treatments such as anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen or aspirin) and steroids like prednisone -- though often useful for acute problems -- interfere with the body’s own immune response and can lead to serious and deadly side effects.

> > In fact, as many people die from taking anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen every year as die from asthma or leukemia. Stopping these drugs would be equivalent to finding the cure for asthma or leukemia â€"- that’s a bold statement, but the data is there to back it up.

> > Meanwhile, the real effects of statin drugs like Lipitor in reducing heart disease may have nothing to do with lowering cholesterol, but with their unintended side effect of reducing inflammation.

> > But is taking medication the right approach to addressing the problem of inflammation?

> > No. It is DOWNSTREAM medicine.

> > Here’s how UPSTREAM medicine thinks about inflammation ...

> > How to Locate the Causes of Hidden Inflammation

> > So if inflammation and immune imbalances are at the root of most of modern disease, how do we find the causes and get the body back in balance?

> > First, we need to identify the triggers and causes of inflammation. Then we need to help reset the body’s natural immune balance by providing the right conditions for it to thrive.

> > As a doctor, my job is to find those inflammatory factors unique to each person and to see how various lifestyle, environmental, or infectious factors spin the immune system out of control, leading to a host of chronic illnesses.

> > Thankfully, the list of things that cause inflammation is relatively short:

> > • Poor dietâ€"mostly sugar, refined flours, processed foods, and inflammatory fats such as trans and saturated fats

> >

> > • Lack of exercise

> > • Stress

> > • Hidden or chronic infections with viruses, bacteria, yeasts, or parasites

> > • Hidden allergens from food or the environment

> > • Toxins such as mercury and pesticides

> > • Mold toxins and allergens

> >

> > By listening carefully to a person’s story and performing a few specific tests , I can discover the causes of inflammation most people.

> > It’s important to understand that this concept of inflammation is not specific to any one organ or medical specialty. In fact, if you read a medical journal from any field of medicine, you will find endless articles about how inflammation is at the root of problems with the particular organ or area they focus on.

> > So what’s the problem?

> > There is almost no communication between specialties. Everyone is treating the downstream effects of inflammation, but addressing the causes of inflammation that are upstream could help people who have multiple problems that are really linked together by this common root cause.

> > Take, for example, a man who came to see me recently. He wanted to climb a mountain and asked for my help to get healthy. He was 57 years old and took about 15 medications for six different inflammatory conditions: high blood pressure, pre-diabetes, colitis, reflux, asthma, and an autoimmune disease of his hair follicles called alopecia.

> > Yet when I asked him how he felt, he said "great". I told him I was surprised because he was on so many medications.

> > Yes, he said, but everything was very well controlled with the latest medications prescribed by the top specialists he saw in every fieldâ€"the lung doctor for his asthma, the gastroenterologist for his colitis and reflux, the cardiologist for his high blood pressure, the endocrinologist for his pre-diabetes, the dermatologist for his hair loss.

> > But did any of those specialists ask him why he had six different inflammatory diseases and why his immune system was so pissed off? Was it just bad luck that he "got" all these diseases -- or was there something connecting all these problems?

> > He looked puzzled and said "no".

> > I then searched for and uncovered the cause of his problems: gluten. He had celiac disease, an autoimmune disease related to eating gluten, the protein found in wheat, barley, rye, spelt, and oats.

> > Six months later he came back to see me. He had lost 25 pounds, had no more high blood pressure, asthma, reflux, or colitis, and said he had normal bowel movements for the first time in his life. His hair was even growing back. And he was off nearly all his medications.

> > 7 Steps to Living an Anti-inflammatory Life

> > So once you have figured out the causes of inflammation in your life, gotten rid of them, the next step is to keep living an anti-inflammatory lifestyle. But how do you do that?

> > Here is what I recommend. It’s a disarmingly simple but extraordinarily effective way to achieve UltraWellness:

> > 1. Whole Foods -- Eat a whole foods, high-fiber, plant-based diet, which is inherently anti-inflammatory. That means choosing unprocessed, unrefined, whole, fresh, real foods, not those full of sugar and trans fats and low in powerful anti-inflammatory plant chemicals called phytonutrients.

> >

> > 2. Healthy Fats -- Give yourself an oil change by eating healthy monounsaturated fats in olive oil, nuts and avocadoes, and getting more omega-3 fats from small fish like sardines, herring, sable, and wild salmon.

> > 3. Regular Exercise â€"- Mounting evidence tells us that regular exercise reduces inflammation. It also improves immune function, strengthens your cardiovascular systems, corrects and prevents insulin resistance, and is key for improving your mood and erasing the effects of stress. In fact, regular exercise is one among a small handful of lifestyle changes that correlates with improved health in virtually ALL of the scientific literature. So get moving already!

> > 4. Relax -- Learn how to engage your vagus nerve by actively relaxing. This powerful nerve relaxes your whole body and lowers inflammation when you practice yoga or meditation, breathe deeply, or even take a hot bath.

> > 5. Avoid Allergens -- If you have food allergies, find out what you’re allergic to and get stop eating those foodsâ€"gluten and dairy are two common culprits.

> > 6. Heal Your Gut -- Take probiotics to help your digestion and improve the balance of healthy bacteria in your gut, which reduces inflammation.

> > 7. Supplement -- Take a multivitamin/multimineral supplement, fish oil, and vitamin D, all of which help reduce inflammation.

> >

> > Taking this comprehensive approach to inflammation and balancing your immune system addresses one of the most important core systems of the body.

> > In the future, medicine may no longer have specialties like cardiology or neurology or gastroenterology, but new specialists like "inflammologists".

> > But by understanding these concepts and core systems that are the basis of healthy living now, you don’t have to wait.

> > Now I’d like to hear from you ...

> > Have you had your C-reactive protein tested?

> > Do you think inflammation may be at the core of your health condition?

> > Why do you think so many doctors practice downstream medicine instead of catching problems early with upstream medicine?

> > Please let me know your thoughts by posting a comment below.

> > To your good health,

> > Mark Hyman, MD

> > http://www.ultrawellness.com/blog/ultrawellness-key-3

> >

> >

> >

> > When the power of love

> > overcomes the love of power

> > the world will know peace.

> > ~ Jimi Hendrix

> >

>