There’s a secret weight-loss enemy lurking within your body and you might not even be aware of. Stress can cause it. So can environmental toxins. Eating a poor diet also leads to it. It’s called chronic inflammation, and it’s rampant, especially in the United States. Reducing inflammation is not only essential to your well-being, but also a good first step to long-term weight loss.
Inflammation can be beneficial in many cases, such as when you sustain an injury and inflammation senses the tissues need care and protection. This type of inflammation is known as acute, or short-term. However, inflammation can cause more harm than good when your body is under constant attack, known as chronic inflammation. In addition to weight gain, chronic inflammation has been linked to almost every major disease, including cancer, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.
• Eating too much sugar and/or processed foods laden with chemicals and pesticide
• Environmental toxins and impure drinking water
• Infections and injuries that are left untreated
• Chronic Stress
• Autoimmune disorders like lupus, arthritis, and type 1 diabetes
• Long-term exposure to polluted air, industrial chemicals, and other irritants
• Excess weight, smoking, alcohol, and nutritional deficiencies are all found to contribute to chronic inflammation
Here are 6 ways to naturally reduce inflammation!
• Added sugar, artificial sugar substitutes, and high fructose corn syrup
• Hydrogenated oil
• Refined carbohydrate
• Alcohol
• Processed meat
• Berries
• Avocado
• Fatty fish
• Broccoli
• Tomato
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Tumeric
• Green leafy vegetables (like spinach and kale)
• Tree nut
Great foods to add to your diet to reduce inflammation include:
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Probiotics are good, healthy bacteria that help crowd out the bad gut bacteria that contribute to inflammation. Countless studies show that consuming foods and high-quality supplements (like our Flora-3 Multicultural Probiotic) containing probiotics can help reduce inflammation. Probiotics also help counteract complications related to long-term use of antibiotics.
Aside from making healthier food choices, other things you can do to reduce chronic inflammation include getting plenty of quality sleep and staying physically active. Since vitamin D helps regulate the immune system and combats inflammation, aim for 10 to 15 minutes of sunlight exposure per day and/or take a liquid form of Vitamin D, for optimal absorption (like our Vital-D).
Stress is not only a major cause for inflammation, but also is one of the biggest contributors to hormone imbalances. Whether you practice yoga, meditation, or deep breathing, set aside a few minutes every day to slow down and relax.
At BeBalanced, we know that simple changes to your diet and lifestyle choices can make a major impact on your health and well-being. That is why we offer a variety of weight loss and wellness programs and products that are focused on reducing stress and inflammation, as well as improving your immune system and symptoms related to hormone imbalances such as anxiety, sleep issues, low energy, hot flashes, mood imbalances, stubborn weight and more. To get started, take a free hormone assessment, or schedule a free consultation at any of our centers nationwide. Be well!