Inflammation: What It Is, How It Sneaks Up On You, and What To Do About It
Let’s talk about inflammation—because it might be the real reason you're feeling off your game lately… even if your labs say you're “fine.”
What Is Inflammation, Really?
Inflammation isn’t the villain. In fact, it’s your body’s natural healing response to injury, irritation, or infection. Think of it like your body’s internal firefighter—rushing to handle whatever damage needs attention.
It typically shows up as redness, heat, swelling, or pain. And once the healing is done, it should calm down.
For instance, I pulled a tick off me this weekend, and now I have a bump (minor swelling) from that bite.
But what happens when it doesn’t?
That’s where things get messy.
The Two Types of Inflammation
Acute Inflammation
This is the kind of inflammation that comes on strong and fades fast—like a bruise, cut, or even a pimple. It does its job and then clocks out. My tick bite is an example of acute inflammation.
Chronic Inflammation
This is the sneaky, slow-burning kind that lingers. It simmers below the surface, often without obvious symptoms, and can be triggered by things like:
Chronic stress
Poor diet
Environmental toxins
Unhealed infections
Gut imbalances
Over time, chronic inflammation can contribute to major health issues like:
Autoimmune conditions
Heart disease and stroke
Type 2 diabetes
Cancer
Insulin resistance
Fatigue and brain fog
Sneaky Signs of Chronic Inflammation
Think you’d know if your body was inflamed? Not necessarily.
Here are some often-overlooked signs:
And yes—some are easy to chalk up to “just getting older.” But they could be your body waving the red flag.
What’s Triggering the Fire?
Here’s what fans the flames of chronic inflammation:
Food sensitivities or intolerances (even mild ones)
Processed foods high in sugar and industrial seed oils
Environmental toxins in your water, air, and personal care products
Stress and sleep deprivation
Sedentary lifestyle
Poor gut health (leaky gut, low enzyme production, imbalanced bacteria)
Start Healing with Anti-Inflammatory Foods
Food is medicine—or fuel for the fire.
Here’s what to pile on your plate to cool things down:
Omega-3 Rich Foods
Salmon, sardines, mackerel
Flax, chia, hemp seeds
Walnuts
Colorful Fruits & Veggies
Berries, citrus, apples, pineapple
Leafy greens, cruciferous veggies, sweet potatoes, beets
Avocados
Healthy Fats
Extra virgin olive oil
Avocado oil
Nuts and seeds
Coconut oil (moderation)
Herbs & Spices
Turmeric + black pepper
Ginger
Garlic
Basil, rosemary, parsley, thyme
Cinnamon, cayenne, clove
Fiber-Rich Foods
Legumes
Vegetables and fruits
Gluten-free whole grains (quinoa, wild rice, millet)
Fermented Foods
Sauerkraut, kimchi, miso, tempeh
Healing Beverages & Superfoods
Green tea or matcha
Unsweetened cacao
Sea vegetables (nori, wakame, dulse)
Lower Your Toxic Load
Even if you're eating clean, toxins in your environment can bog down your detox systems (liver, kidneys, gut, lymph).
Try this:
Ditch plastic food containers
Use non-toxic cleaning products
Swap conventional beauty for clean brands
Filter your water
Choose organic when possible
It’s not about being perfect—it’s about being mindful.
Cook Your Way to a Calmer Body
You don’t need a culinary degree to cook anti-inflammatory meals. You need a strategy:
Shop the perimeter of the grocery store
Buy seasonal and local when you can
Cook more meals at home (restaurants often use inflammatory oils)
Add healing foods to every plate—even breakfast!
Want Some Help?
You don’t have to overhaul your life overnight. Start small—and let support make it easier.
Try the 7-Day Fresh Start: Your kickstart into anti-inflammatory eating. You’ll get:
A clean eating guide + gut rest protocols
Gut + liver-loving supplements
Easy recipe guide
Text support for your questions
👉 Join the 7-Day Fresh Start 👈
Wanna Go Deeper?
Thrive Together is my 12-week coaching program for women who want:
Sustainable nutrition shifts (strong focus on anti-inflammatory eating)
Lifestyle upgrades
Habit change with accountability
Energy, confidence, and joy that lasts
This blog is just the beginning.
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