In mid-September, the National Interagency Fire Center reported that firefighters continued to battle 89 large blazes across the Western states and Alaska; in Canada last August, British Columbia alone had more than 500 separate wildfires. You could say that both the U.S. and our northern neighbor were an in-FLAME-nation!
But you don't need timber and lightning to witness the ravages of inflammation firsthand. Your own brain is a potential target, according to researchers from Germany's University of Bonn. They've done a study, published in the journal Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience, that pinpoints how poorly regulated inflammatory responses affect certain neurons and can lead to loss of brain cells.
Major triggers are inflammatory foods like added sugars and saturated fats, hormone-disrupting phthalates and BPA/BPS and fiery habits like smoking, excess drinking and lack of sleep. If you have Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer or chronic stress, your body's battling excess inflammation. So call out the fire brigade.
Quick Coolers: To put out your fires NOW try these three steps:
- Take 900 milligrams daily of DHA omega-3 from algae.
- Take a probiotic.
- Floss your teeth daily.
Long-Term Fixes: To banish destructive inflammation adopt these habits:
- Exercise for at least 30 minutes five days a week (walking 10,000 steps or equivalent and strength building).
- Sleep seven to eight hours nightly.
- Eat inflammation-fighting foods, like salmon, olive oil, 100 percent whole grains and cruciferous vegetables (broccoli and cauliflower).