If you fall down and break your ankle you may see swelling bruising and experience pain. All of these are the body’s natural response to an injury and the result of acute inflammation. This is a necessary reaction that helps promote healing. However, when inflammation goes wrong, when it becomes chronic, it can trigger the disease process.

How the normal inflammatory process works
As noted above, inflammation is your body’s first line of defense against injuries, infections and toxins. Cells that are in distress release chemicals that signal the immune system. Once the immune system is alerted it responds by sending inflammatory cells that begin the healing process or trap toxic substances. In turn, blood vessels leak fluid into the site of injury causing swelling, redness and pain. Although these symptoms are uncomfortable, they are needed for the healing process. Eventually, once the injury is healed or the threat gone, inflammation subsides and the body return to normal.

The problem with inflammation
Like many things, too much of a good thing can become a bad thing. Inflammation that become chronic puts your body in a suspended state of emergency that can cause extensive damage to critical organs such as your heart. Chronic inflammation happens when cells are stressed either externally or internally. Inflammation can be localized or throughout the entire body. Unlike acute inflammation, it does not go away.

Inflammation in the blood vessels leads to a build up dangerous plaque. The body sees this plaque as an invader and sends more inflammatory cells which causes more plaque to build up. The arteries thicken and increase the risk of a stroke or heart attack.

The real issue with chronic inflammation
The real problem with chronic inflammation is that it can exist for a very long time unnoticed. Although it may cause some discomfort it is often blamed on other things such as aging. If overlooked for a long period of time, inflammation can cause significant damage.
Chronic inflammation is also called “low-grade” inflammation which contributes to many illnesses such as depression, cognitive decline, kidney disease, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers and age-related macular degeneration.

What causes chronic inflammation
Certain lifestyle factors such as smoking, excessive alcohol intake, obesity, insomnia, drug use, stress, hormones and a poor diet can all trigger chronic inflammation. Eating an unhealthy diet that is null of important nutrients provides a perfect environment for chronic inflammation to thrive.

Chronic inflammation will not get better on its own – it generally gets worse over time. This is why it is paramount to address inflammation.

Symptoms of chronic inflammation
So, you might wonder, if inflammation is silent, the symptoms are few, how do I really know if it is a problem for me? There are several warning signs to look for that may be an indicator that something has gone wrong. Here are some things to be on the lookout for. Although having these symptoms does not mean that you necessarily have chronic inflammation but it does mean that something is not right.
1. Are you often fatigued even when have had enough sleep?
2. Do you have a deceased sex drive?
3. Do you have frequent problems with allergies?
4. Have you been diagnosed with an autoimmune condition such as arthritis asthma, lupus, irritable bowel disorder or Graves disease.
5. Do you have metabolic syndrome?
6. Are you frequently depressed?
7. Do you frequently forget things or have a lack of mental clarity?
8. Are you frequently anxious?
9. Do you have a spare tire around your waist?
10. Do you frequently have gas, diarrhea, bloating or constipation?
11. Is your face puffy or do you have bags under your eyes?
12. Do you eat a lot of junk food of refined sugar?
13. Do you get less than 7 hours of sleep each night?
14. Do you have high blood pressure?
15. Does your skin breakout frequently – acne, eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis?
16. Are your eyes often bloodshot?
17. If you are a man, do you have erectile dysfunction?
Answering yes to any of these questions, especially multiple questions, may indicate that you are suffering from chronic inflammation.

Food and Inflammation
Diet plays a major role in inflammation. Cutting out certain pro-inflammatory foods and adding in healthy foods can reduce or eliminate chronic inflammation.

Foods that cause or exacerbate inflammation
• Sugar -The number one inflammatory inducing food is refined sugar. Sugar is considered by many to be the most dangerous “drug” of all times.
• Wheat – Wheat can cause inflammation in all of us – even those who are not gluten sensitive. Wheat contains a complex carbohydrate which is easily digested by the body and causes a spike in blood sugar. This gives wheat the same pro inflammatory properties as sugar.
• Artificial sweeteners – Many people choose artificial sweeteners over refined sugar but these are just as bad. Chemicals in many sweeteners can cause an inflammatory response and encourage metabolic syndrome.
• Processed foods – Additives in processed foods including artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, emulsifiers, stabilizers and more can cause an immune system response. In addition, there is clear evidence that processed meat is linked to numerous types of cancer including kidney, bladder, stomach, testicular, lung, colorectal and leukemia.
• Dairy – Conventional dairy products are packed with hormones, antibiotics and additives.
• Alcohol – Excessive drinking can promote inflammation in numerous organs of the body, weaken the liver and also raise blood sugar levels promoting inflammation.

Foods that reduce inflammation
Just as some foods increase inflammation, others help reduce it while promoting overall health and wellness. Here are some of the best foods to consider adding to you diet.

• Hot peppers
• Green leafy vegetables
• Berries
• Tomatoes
• Pineapple

Mushrooms and Inflammation
One often overlooked food/supplement that can help substantially reduce inflammation is mushrooms. Mushrooms such as shiitake, reishi, turkey tail, chaga and more, are loaded with disease fighting properties that will not only boost your immune system but reduce chronic inflammation.

Fungi contain powerful compounds that have blood sugar-lowering, anticancer and anti-hypertensive properties. Edible mushrooms such as are a fantastic source of proteins, antioxidants, minerals, fibers and trace elements that are similar to leafy greens.

A study published in the Mediators and Inflammation journal shows that medicinal mushrooms are safe and effective option to reducing inflammation and healing the damage caused by long-term inflammation.

How to add mushrooms to your diet
Of course some mushrooms are easy to eat with salads, soups, or raw. Others like reishi are not really palatable so it is better to consume them in other ways. Here are just a few ways that you can benefit from the tremendous inflammation busting properties of mushrooms:
• Mushroom tea or coffee – Consider a high quality mushroom tea or coffee infused with powerful fungi.
• Add mushroom powder to smoothies – Add mushroom powder to smoothies or juices. You won’t even know they are in there but you will still benefit from their power.
• Add mushrooms to soups and sauces – Mushrooms added to soups and sauces take on the flavor of the liquid which makes them easier for many to consume.

A note on purchasing medicinal mushrooms: It is very important that you be aware of your mushroom supplier before purchasing medicinal mushroom products.