If your body is struggling to fight inflammation, there’s a good chance you’re struggling with a host of issues that don’t even seem related. It can almost seem like your body is breaking down, but there may not even be any diagnosable issues.
From blemishes to chronic constipation, your body just doesn’t seem to be working the way it used to.
And you’re not alone. The older we get, the more of these issues we seem to have. And there’s a good chance inflammation is at play.
In this post, we’re going to explore a few of the most effective ways to reduce inflammation and take control of your gut health.
Adopt an anti-inflammatory diet
You might be surprised to learn that your diet could be the cause of inflammation in your body. If you’re eating a Standard American Diet filled with processed sugary foods and refined carbohydrates, you’re contributing to your body’s inflammation. The good news is that you have many choices. There are quite a few diets that can help your body fight inflammation, including the Paleo diet, clean keto, and the Whole 30 diet. You can also fight inflammation with a whole foods plant-based diet. Choose the way of eating that’s best aligned with your lifestyle to give yourself the best chance at sticking with it.
Eliminate common allergens
You may have an allergy or intolerance to something you’re eating and not realize it. If this is the case, you’ll be causing gut inflammation whenever you consume this food. To figure out what might be causing your issues, eliminate all common allergens for a minimum of two weeks. This includes soy, dairy, gluten, nightshades, and citrus. You may reintroduce these foods one at a time with at least two weeks between each reintroduction. If any symptoms of inflammation return, you’ll know which food is the culprit.
Reduce stress
Chronic stress is a major issue in our modern society, and it can cause a windfall of inflammation. Unfortunately, there’s not much we can do about some of the chronic stressors in our lives. We still have to find a way to pay the bills, right? But we can change how we handle that stress. Find healthy outlets for those stressful moments by experimenting with yoga, meditation, exercise, and breathwork. Also, consider cutting back on coffee. Coffee is effective at waking you up because it creates a stress response in your body, prompting a cortisol release. If you’re already stressed out, this could be putting you over the edge and causing even more inflammation. In small doses, coffee can be beneficial. Just try to stick to one to two cups daily.
Consume probiotics
Probiotics are bacteria that are beneficial to the gut, immune system, and overall wellbeing. And while you may think of taking a probiotic supplement such as 1MD Complete Probiotics Platinum, there are also other ways to get beneficial bacteria to your gut. Probiotic supplements are great for inspiring rapid and consistent change, but you must also change your diet and lifestyle for them to be effective. Whether you choose to take a supplement, try filling your diet with probiotic-rich foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, and yogurt. And add prebiotic foods like artichoke and leafy green veggies.
Gut health is important, and if you’re struggling with a variety of symptoms, it may be time for a complete lifestyle overhaul. Now is the time to start paying attention to that inflammation before it leads to something worse than bloating and digestive upset.