Most often when you hear the word inflammation, you think of swelling post-injury. We have all experienced one form or another of inflammation such as swelling, redness, warmth, and pain after an injury or even a sore throat. The onset of inflammation begins when the body mass produces white blood cells in response to an infection, whether viral, fungal, or bacterial, or to an injury to the musculoskeletal system. Increased blood flow and the body’s chemical release can also lead to swelling and inflammation after an injury.
Inflammation is present in many conditions causing chronic pain from headaches to arthritis, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, and several more. While there are a variety of powerful and proven prescription medications that trigger and offer relief for inflammation, those same medications can lead to malfunction of organ systems or even cause worse side effects.
A vital piece of information discovered is that inflammation can actually be triggered by the foods we eat. Digestive enzymes play a crucial role in the reduction of pain and inflammation in the body. Millions of people worldwide experience chronic pain from inflammation. Nutrition research has led to a better understanding of how certain foods, fats, proteins, and oils, react in our bodies. We consume a high volume of unhealthy fats and oils that causes our bodies to make pro-inflammatory compounds. These compounds can lead to chronic pain and inflammation seen in autoimmune diseases, chronic back pain, and arthritis.
Now protein consumption is our only natural source of amino acids. However, if our digestive system is not properly functioning, we may not be able to appropriately break down and absorb the amino acids that are necessary for optimal bodily function. This can also be greatly affected if our diet is lacking in food that offers an adequate amount of these needed amino acids. Poorly digested proteins can lead to oversized molecules being distributed into the intestines that trigger an inflammatory response and release of histamine. This can lead to many symptoms of discomfort in the lower abdomen and intestines. These symptoms include but are not limited to bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, belching, and nausea. If these oversized molecules happen to be absorbed, your body will experience what is known as leaky gut syndrome. All the above-mentioned symptoms are in fact your body’s response to experiencing inflammation from the food you eat! Furthermore, research has shown that proper digestion can play a critical role in the inflammation that causes cardiovascular disease.
Now, what can you do to decrease the amount of inflammation in your body and promote healthy digestion? The answer to that is a clean diet and digestive enzymes. More specifically pancreatic digestive enzymes. The pancreas is responsible for the production of many different enzymes. Each enzyme is designed to break down a specific type of food into small enough particles for the body to absorb and utilize them. Research has proven that taking supplemental digestive enzymes can also relieve inflammation caused by over-exertion or injury. It’s truly amazing how something so simple can aid in the body’s ability to restore natural function. Besides looking into a high potency full-strength pancreatic enzyme, your body will greatly benefit from taking an amino acid supplement.
To learn more about digestive enzymes and amino acids, make an appointment today to see Dr. Lisa for Nutrition Response Testing. With this unique non-invasive muscle testing, you will be able to see exactly what kind and how much your body is needing!
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