Inflammation
ASK THE DOCTOR 4
Dr. Leila Kirdani: PREVENTING INFLAMMATION
As a society, we are experiencing the first generation which is projected to live shorter lives than their parents. Why? The number of people with diseases is increasing. At the root of all of these diseases is inflammation.
Inflammation is what starts us down the slippery path to any medical ailment, including:
- · diabetes
- · heart disease
- · hypertension
- · arthritis
- · and even cancer
Inflammation damages arteries and causes problems with our metabolism, creating obesity and increased blood sugar. Inflammation alters our immune system, making it harder for us to fight off illness and cancer.
Dr. Leila Kirdani Explains: WHERE DOES INFLAMMATION COME FROM?
Whether it be psychological (time, money, relationships), physical (not enough sleep, over-exertion), or environmental (toxins), stress increases inflammation. Evolutionarily, we were meant to fight tigers, not our continuous, prolonged, ever-constant stress.
This most essential vitamin that is made in our skin when we are exposed to sunlight! We now know that Vitamin D is really a hormone that not only is important for bone health, but also modulates the immune system. When we are low in Vitamin D, we have more inflammation, muscle tightness and chance of developing Cancer.
SEX-HORMONES:
Estrogen for women and testosterone for men are our biggest anti-inflammatory. This of course means our own natural, bio-identical hormones, and excludes traditional hormone replacement therapy. Traditional HRT consists of estrogen and testosterone molecules that are not the same molecule as our bodies produce and therefore cause very different reactions.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXINS:
On a daily basis we are bombarded with chemicals and toxins that our bodies were not meant to have to deal with and they all create inflammation. These include additives and preservatives in food, pthalates in plastics and heavy metals found in gasoline fumes, our fish supply, dental amalgams, cigarette smoke, and industrial pollution.
GENETICS:
Each of us has our own genetic susceptibilities. Our “weak link” in how our bodies interact with our environment. Increased inflammation for some of us may lead to thyroid issues and for others heart disease. The good news is that we can change the environment our genes are in, thereby changing their expression. We are not doomed to repeat our parents’ diseases.
FOOD ALLERGIES: Last but not least in the inflammation list is food allergies. The most common food allergens include wheat, corn, shellfish, dairy products and peanuts.
Reviews: HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE INFLAMMATION?
In addition to symptoms, there are several tests we can get to determine levels of inflammation. These include:
- · a high-sensitivity C-reactive protein
- · homocysteine
- · vitamin D – the 25-hydroxycalciferol form
- · ferritin
- · fibrinogen
- · fasting blood sugar and fasting insulin levels
All of these tests can be performed by your doctor if they are willing. However you may need to work with a Board Certified Anti-Aging/Functional Medicine Doctor to truly bring them down.