The Role of Inflammation: Good and Bad

Although there is a misconception that having inflammation is bad for the body, it is actually a normal, biological response that protects you and helps with your survival! Experiencing acute inflammation means that your immune system is performing its normal function which is to remove harmful stimuli and begin the body’s healing process from previous injury.1 Hence, inflammation is a defense mechanism that plays an important role in our health. Inflammation serves as a signal to the rest of the body that something is wrong, and without it, infection will remain unchecked, wounds would never heal, and tissues that have been damaged may remain as sores for life!

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The Healing Role of Inflammation

Your inflammatory response follows a series of steps which is triggered by the presence of a foreign invader. It begins when cells in the injured tissues recognize that the foreign invader is actually different and can cause harm to your body! Signals then release substances to change the permeability of blood vessel wall cells, making gaps between endothelial cells and allowing entry of your protective white blood cells to attack the pathogen. Your blood vessels then allow the entry of special proteins to the location of the infection or the injured tissue. Once activated, your white blood cells and proteins destroy the foreign invader. This is precisely why your white blood cell count increases to high levels in blood and urine tests whenever you get bacterial infections! After destroying the foreign invader, substances to control the inflammation are then released, preventing your body from doing harm to itself. Ultimately, signals for repair are activated, ensuring traces of tissue damage are reduced and eliminated!
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​Causes of Inflammation

There are a variety of internal and external stimuli that can trigger the activation of your inflammatory response. Internal stimuli are those problems with the regulation of body processes caused by infections, growth of bad bacteria, immune reactions, or the death of tissue cells. On the other hand, external stimuli are those found in the environment, including harmful pathogens entering the body and exposure to toxic materials.
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Unwanted Consequences of Inflammation

While the inflammatory response is protective and acts as the body’s defense, it can also cause inevitable damage to the tissue. Fortunately, these harmful consequences are limited, normally heals once the inflammation dies down, and leaves zero to minimal permanent damage. The white blood cells eventually stop detecting inflammatory signals and stop going to the injured tissue. To prevent an acute inflammation from progressing into a chronic one, the inflammatory response must be regulated to prevent further tissue damage. 
 
When the inflammatory response is misdirected against other body tissues, the inflammation may attack your own healthy cells instead of protecting them, causing autoimmune disease. Allopathic treatments may help regulate the inflammation but also impair or disturb your immune system’s capacity to defend itself and remove foreign stimuli, which is why your body produces inflammation in the first place. Natural options, such as foods, herbs, and supplements, that manage inflammation have properties that help manage the harmful effects of inflammation while preserving its healthy, protective function.
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Acute vs. Chronic Inflammation

Acute inflammation is the first defense of the body against infections and tissue damage. It commonly starts within minutes or hours from the detection of harmful stimuli. Once the harmful substance is eliminated, the inflammation dies down within several hours or a few days. On the other hand, chronic inflammation develops when the acute inflammation fails to get rid of the stimulus. Once the inflammation eradicates the harmful agents, it begins the process of tissue repair. Healing happens when the injured tissue is replaced through the regeneration of surviving cells and connective tissue, forming a scar.
 
Chronic inflammation is persistent inflammation, usually lasting for long periods of months to years and may cause further complications.2 It may be caused by infectious organisms remaining in the body for long periods which develop resistance from the protective attack of your white blood cells, long-term exposure to harmful irritants and chemicals secondary to your work or home environment, autoimmune disorders causing your body to mistakenly identify healthy tissues as foreign and harmful, and defects in the cells responsible for regulating the inflammatory response of the body itself.2 Additionally, frequent bouts of acute inflammation may also lead to chronic inflammation, which is why you should help your body fight against the root cause of your health problems through making conscious and empowered decisions for your health.
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Complications of Chronic Inflammation

Although chronic inflammation is not always noticed, it is the main cause of most chronic diseases that affect the health of people. Inflammation is known to contribute to the development of the following diseases2: 

• Cardiovascular disease
• Cancer
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) 
• Diabetes Mellitus
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD
• Allergic Asthma
• Alzheimer's disease
• Chronic kidney disease (CKD)

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Reducing Chronic Inflammation

To minimize risks of having recurrent inflammation, changes in your food and lifestyle choices are important and may include: 

• Eating meals low in simple, processed carbohydrates
• Eating fiber and adding fruit and vegetables into every meal
• Reducing intake of unhealthy fats
• Eating healthy nuts, such as almonds which have anti-inflammatory properties
• Drinking green and black tea
• Exploring the anti-inflammatory benefits of curcumin, ginger, and other healing herbs
• Incorporating fish oil, vitamin D, magnesium, vitamin E, selenium, and zinc into your diet, when appropriate

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Seeking Naturopathic Help

Naturopathic medicine offers a wide array of strategies for various uncontrolled inflammatory problems. By targeting the root cause of your health problems, rather than just masking your symptoms, naturopathic care takes care of your optimal and long-term health. Holistic options targeting your nutrition, lifestyle practices, exposure to triggers, and therapeutic regimens are employed, ensuring that you are able to help your body as it recovers and maintains balance. Discover naturopathic options for your health today!

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​Author

Kate Nemenzo studied in nursing school as an academic scholar. Her passion for holistic health has led her to become a registered nurse who promotes optimal care throughout her patient’s therapeutic journey. When not writing, she spends her time crocheting, watching Korean dramas, and playing the guitar!

This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your licensed naturopathic physician or other licensed healthcare provider before making changes to your medications or supplements. Disclosures & Policies: This and other blog posts may contain affiliate links. Please view our disclosures page for more information. 
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​REFERENCES:

1.  Baranwal N, Yu PK, Siegel NS. Sleep physiology, pathophysiology, and sleep hygiene.Prog Cardiovasc Dis. 2023;77:59-69. doi:10.1016/j.pcad.2023.02.005
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​2. Garbarino S, Lanteri P, Bragazzi NL, Magnavita N, Scoditti E. Role of sleep deprivation in immune-related disease risk and outcomes. Commun Biol. 2021;4(1):1304. Published 2021 Nov 18. doi:10.1038/s42003-021-02825-4Write something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview.