Inflammation is the body’s response to infection, injury or irritation. It induces redness, swelling and pain, sometimes rendering the affected area nonfunctional.
Acute inflammation – such as what happens after you sprain your ankle or get a mosquito bite – is your body’s attempt at preserving itself. This type of inflammation helps remove harmful irritants and pathogens so the healing process can begin. Healthy, beneficial swelling dissipates with time and treatment.
Chronic inflammation is different. This is when the body generates a stronger-than-necessary inflammatory response due to an imbalanced immune system or a condition that causes the immune system to attack healthy tissue. Certain foods, lack of sleep and high stress all increase the risk of chronic inflammation.
Consider the role a chiropractor plays in reducing inflammation.The primary purpose of chiropractic care is to realign the vertebrae in your spine to reduce pressure on the nerves and promote a healthy nervous system. When the spine and other joints are properly aligned, and your nerves function as they should and your body’s biomechanics return to normal.
Chiropractic adjustments may also help reduce the production of cytokines, proteins that regulate the cells of the immune system. When cytokines build up, they can cause a severe inflammatory response. Preliminary studies suggest that chiropractic may help not only the affected areas but other parts of the body as well.
Some people have more inflammation than others and that is why you may feel more achy joints, pain in your spine and body than others. Looking at ways to decrease inflammation is a great start to helping you feel better and gives your body a chance to function better too!
Inflammation in the body can present with:
- Joint Pain
- Fatigue
- Digestive issues
- Migraines
- Achy Muscles
- Hard time losing weight – toxins/inflammatory get stored in fat cells in the body and it takes the body extra work to get rid of them.
Tips to decrease inflammation in the body:
- Drink enough water – your weight in ounces divided by 2
- Increase diet with anti-inflammatory foods —> Healthy fats!!!
- Decrease inflammatory foods
- Processed, packaged foods, fast food etc.
- Normal sleep patterns
- Weight management/ weight loss – eating a balanced diet is key.
- Managing stress
- Cleanse/Detox often
- Supplements – omega, probiotic,
- Corrective Chiropractic Adjustments – gets the body working efficiently to get rid of the inflammation
Anti-Inflammatory Foods
- Avocados
- Oils —> Olive oil, Coconut oil, Avocado oil,
- Grass fed butter — Kerrygold
- Fish – Salmon
- Green Leafy Vegetables
- Nuts & Seeds—> Almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, pistachios, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds etc.
- Fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, cherries, and oranges
- Seasonings — Ginger, Rosemary, Cinnamon, Garlic, Cayenne, Black pepper, Turmeric (cauliflower with turmeric and butter is amazing)
Healthy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Apple
Anyone else bored with your usual snacks and for your kids? Heres a fun one we tried on the snow days in February!
Ingredients
- 1 apple diced
- 2 Tbsp peanut butter (natural) (I like to add honey with our peanut butter for a sweeter treat!)
- 3 Tbsp chocolate chips (I prefer enjoy life)
Instructions
- Place diced apple pieces in a small bowl.
- Melt peanut butter in the microwave for 15 seconds.
- Pour over apple pieces.
- Sprinkle with chocolate chips and serve right away!
Notes
You can also use almond butter or any other type of nut butter. To make nut free use sun butter.
Ok I talk about my middle one, Dyson a lot! But he loves food and will eat all day long. We put out the fruit tray so he grabs whatever whenever he wants but still begs for more. He loves bread/muffin things so we tried making these snack/breakfast bars over the snow day too! They were good!
Healthier Oatmeal Peanut Butter & Chocolate Chip Bars
Ok I talk about my middle one, Dyson a lot! But he loves food and will eat all day long. He is always asking for “nummys”. He loves bread/muffin things so we tried making these bars over the snow day too! They were good!
Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats (uncooked)
- 1/4 cup flour (can use wheat flour or sub with almond, coconut or GF blend flour)
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup peanut butter (crunchy or creamy)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 1/3 cup chocolate chip
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F and line a 8×8 pan with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, mix together the oats, flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
- In a microwave safe bowl, melt the coconut oil by putting it in the microwave for 15-20 seconds. Beat in the eggs. Add in the maple syrup, peanut butter and vanilla. Mix until combined.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix until just combined. Use a rubber spatula to fold in the chocolate chips. Spread the mixture into the pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool before cutting into bars. Store in an airtight container on the counter for up to 3-5 days.