Inflammation is the body's natural response to protect itself against harm. There are two main types of inflammation: acute and chronic. Acute inflammation is the body’s immediate healing response to injury or infection that is essential but typically resolves quickly. Chronic inflammation, on the other hand, can be long-lasting and underlie various diseases such as arthritis, heart disease, and some cancers.
It’s therefore important to understand how to manage and control inflammation to maintain overall health. There are multiple strategies ranging from diet and exercise to stress management and medical treatments that can help.
Advertisement
1. Follow an Anti-Inflammatory Diet
A diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods can help to reduce chronic inflammation. Foods such as berries, fatty fish like salmon and mackerel, leafy greens, nuts, and olive oil are known to have anti-inflammatory properties.
2. Limit Inflammatory Foods
Just as some foods can help reduce inflammation, others can trigger or worsen it. Try to minimize the consumption of processed foods, trans fats, red meat, and sugar, as these can exacerbate inflammation.
3. Maintain a Healthy Weight
Excess body fat, especially around the waist, is associated with an increase in inflammation. Losing weight can reduce this inflammation and the associated health risks.
Advertisement
4. Exercise Regularly
Regular physical activity is beneficial in managing inflammation. Aerobic exercise, in particular, has been sho