renee.t.edge All disease originates from some sort of inflammation. With acute inflammation, perhaps swelling after you twist your ankle, your body can repair itself and move on. When inflammation becomes chronic or malfunctions, that is when disease occurs. In this blog we begin exploring diseases caused by inflammation.
Obesity is actually a disease that creates log-grade chronic inflammation. Fat cells in the body secrete inflammatory signals similar to how your immune system sends out immune signals. Chronic inflammation in adipose (fat) tissue is considered a crucial risk factor for the development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
Leptin is one significant influence in this cyclical relationship between weight and inflammation. High levels of chronic inflammation can detrimentally increase leptin in the body. A hormone released from the body’s fat cells, leptin communicates with the hypothalamus to regulate food intake and energy use. Since leptin comes from fat cells, it is directly related to body fat. Leptin inhibits hunger and regulates the body’s energy balance, which keeps you from feeling hungry when your body doesn’t need any energy. Someone who is obese, however, will have too much leptin in their blood, which can cause an aversion to the hormone in what is known as leptin resistance. This, in turn, makes the body want to keep eating.
There are some food related fixes that may help your body to rebalance and begin to shed weight.
First, decrease your consumption of processed foods and focus on fresh foods.
Second, swap red meat for cuts of lean meat like chicken and fish. The Omega 3’s in fatty fishes such as salmon are great in reducing the inflammation process.
Finally, eat the rainbow. No, not a bag of Skittles, but rather fruits and vegetables in a variety of colors. Seek to fill half your plate with a variety of fruits and vegetables at each meal.
Continue to follow along to discover other diseases whose root lies in chronic inflammation.
