Inflammation
When cells are damaged by free radicals they cause inflammation. This can be caused by physical damage (for example, a sunburn), toxins or an infectious agent. It is our body's natural response to these invaders and is meant to protect us.
While it is meant to protect parts of our body, it also suspends the body's normal immune response. This isn't a problem in the short term, but in the long term, it can cause progressive damage. This progressive damage can cause long term systemic irritation.
This systemic irritation isn't confined to a single organ, but can be throughout the body and in the lining of blood vessels as well as multiple systems and organs. For example, arthritis, appendicitis, gastritis, laryngitis, pancreatitis, dermatitis, meningitis, peritonitis and asthma are all inflammatory conditions.
We often don't see or feel the irritation, but it can still be there inflicting damage in our bodies.
How Do We Get It?
It can be triggered by ingesting toxins, an infection or too much exposure to ultaviolet light (resulting in a sunburn). Free radicals can also damage our cells and cause irritation.
In addition, even more can be triggered by inflammatory chemicals that move into the interior of our cells where certain proteins (NF Kappa B) are switched on leading to further damage in the cells.
What Can Be Done?
Fortunately, we have an antidote to all this damage. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals preventing the breakdown of fats in the cell membrane, and preventing the production of pro-inflammatory chemicals.
We can get antioxidants from a variety of fruits and vegetables as well as superfoods. Look for fruits and vegetables with deep colors such as orange, green, purple, red, blue and yellow for the most nutrient rich foods.
Look for superfoods such as:
- goji berries
- maca
spirulina - blue green algae
- aloe vera
- hempseed
- marine phytoplankton
- coconut
- wheat grass and barley grass
- sea vegetables (seaweed)
Read more about inflammation and superfoods.
