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Inflammation and You.

It’s less common to cite decreased inflammation as one of the benefits of a Paleo, Primal, or no processed foods diet.  But it deserves as much of a marker in your mind as to the reasons why eating this way is worth it (among the other more obvious elements such as looking good naked and performing better).

There are two types of inflammation, acute and chronic.  Acute inflammation is the more immediate response to an injury, wound, irritation, or infection.  It’s often characterized by pain, redness, and swelling.  When the injury heals, the inflammation subsides and then goes away.  Chronic inflammation is prolonged inflammation, inflammation that does not subside.  Chronic inflammation is a response to bacteria, viruses, parasites, molds, and foreign proteins.  It is characterized by a simultaneous destruction and healing of the tissue from the inflammatory process.

Researchers in many areas of medicine now link chronic inflammation to Alzheimers, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and cancer, among others.

And what is one major factor in chronic inflammation?  The foods we ingest every day.  The proteins in grains, dairy, and legumes can cause an inflammatory response in susceptible individuals.  And, because we eat those foods every day, we are constantly producing an inflammatory environment for our body.

There are milder symptoms as well.  Feeling puffy or bloated?  That’s a common result of chronic inflammation.  Individuals at the shop who have had chronic knee, shoulder, or forearm pain have reported a decrease or complete elimination of symptoms when these foods are removed from their diets.

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So, is inflammation a good reason to eat a Paleo minded diet?  Or just not convincing enough?  Post to comments.