Summary
Highlights
Inflammation is a normal healing process, but chronic inflammation leads to destruction, including autoimmune diseases and persistent pain from old injuries. Even cancer spread can be linked to inflammatory oncotaxis. Humira, the top-selling drug, treats inflammation, indicating its widespread prevalence.
A lack of effective cortisol due to excess cortisol causing resistance is a primary cause. This is similar to insulin resistance in diabetes. High cortisol leads to conditions like bursitis, arthritis, and tendinitis. Vitamin D, a hormone similar to cortisol, can substitute for its anti-inflammatory effects at high doses (10,000-40,000 IU).
Food allergies (dairy, gluten), environmental allergies (ragweed, poison ivy), and autoimmune conditions (where the body attacks its own tissues, like Hashimoto's, lupus, MS) are significant causes of inflammation. Autoimmune conditions are often treated with prednisone due to its immune-suppressive action, but this has side effects.
Acute and chronic infections (Epstein-Barr, Lyme disease) trigger inflammation, especially during stress. Gut inflammation, caused by inflammatory foods (high omega-6 oils), constipation, or antibiotic use, can lead to leaky gut and nutrient malabsorption. Cabbage (fermented) and wheatgrass juice are beneficial for gut healing.
High glucose from sugar and refined carbs damages blood vessels, causing inflammation, plaque buildup, and issues like heart attacks, strokes, eye damage, and neuropathy. High glucose also leads to insulin resistance and increased inflammation. Frequent eating, even healthy foods, also triggers insulin and contributes to inflammation.
Fat cells release pro-inflammatory molecules. Old injuries can cause chronic stiffness and inflammation, worsened by high-carb diets. Bile duct problems (sludge, gallstones) can cause right-sided pain and inflammation, remedied by purified bile salts or Tudca.
Low vitamin D exacerbates inflammation and pain. A high omega-6 to omega-3 ratio (common in vegetable/seed oils) promotes inflammation. High iron levels, especially from fortified foods and certain supplements, can cause liver damage and inflammation.
High-dose vitamin D (with K2) is crucial. Avoiding triggering allergens, and strengthening the immune system through periodic prolonged fasting helps with allergies. For chronic infections, vitamin D, whole-food vitamin C, and antibacterial herbs like garlic and oregano are effective.
Zinc L-carnosine helps gut issues. For heart problems, tocotrienols (Vitamin E) reduce arterial inflammation. The most critical remedies are a healthy low-carb (keto) diet and intermittent/prolonged fasting, which reduce insulin, activate antioxidants, and suppress inflammation. Turmeric and stinging nettle root are also beneficial.
Purified bile salts or Tudca benefit bile duct issues. Increasing omega-3 fatty acids (fish, cod liver oil) and drastically reducing omega-6 (vegetable oils) is vital. Being mindful of iron intake, avoiding iron skillets and iron-fortified grains, is also important.