Calming the Hidden Beast of Silent Inflammation
The inflammation in our bodies can be very sneaky. I am not talking about the good inflammation, also known as the group of hormones called eicosanoids (eye-KAH-sa-noids). This group of hormones provoke our immune system to fight diseases, viruses and other invaders and help in repairing tissues after injury. I am addressing the chronic silent inflammation, which is the result of the helpful eicosanoids going rogue.
Silent inflammation is the direct result of negative outside influences, such as genetics, excess weight, lack of exercise and poor diet. These influences keep the eicosanoids turned to “on” when they should be shut off. When it stays in the “on” position in our bodies, it accelerates and becomes the silent inflammation that creates pain, swollen joints, and many other harmful issues to our bodies. This type of inflammation can cause chronic diseases to appear.
The silent inflammation lies in wait in our body unbeknown to us. It can take decades for such devastation — heart disease, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis (the list goes on) — to emerge.
In the book The Anti-inflammation Zone by Barry Sears, PhD, the author explains the power and destructive path of silent inflammation. The book shares that the start of chronic diseases may start very early in our lives. Sears explains that our lifestyle plays a big part in determining whether we will be healthy now or in the future.
Sears feels that eating the bad fats and an overabundance of carbohydrates can cause overproduction of the hormones eicosanoids and insulin. Too much of these hormones may cause the body to produce more cortisol (the “stress hormone”), which promotes inflammation. There is a blood test your doctor can give you to check your silent inflammation levels. Then you will be informed so you can take steps to control it.
Not all is lost. Sears also shares the positives to help control the silent threat. He says that taking ultra-refined high dose fish oil can work toward balancing your eicosanoids, and can help control your silent inflammation. Along with smart lifestyle choices such as exercise, proper diet, researching foods that can cause inflammation and keeping your weight down.
In my case, I can see the parallels to silent inflammation that have put me on the path of multiple sclerosis, hypothyroidism, high blood pressure, gallbladder disease and fibroids in my uterus.
I recently turned 60 years old, and I feel I have had a life of chronic illnesses since my 20s. I was a thin child and teenager. I started to gain weight with each of my three pregnancies. I was active, but I did not always make healthy diet choices. I know genetics and pregnancy played a big part in me having gallstones at 21 years old, and my thyroid condition and high blood pressure had hereditary links as well. With my MS, I strongly believe having mononucleosis (Epstein-Barr virus), silent inflammation, and low vitamin D (Pacific Northwest) are the culprits. With my dietary choices, and silent inflammation I feel they sped up the processes of the diseases I experienced.
This book and other many online sources concur with the silent inflammation theory. So, I added taking the ultra-high dose fish oil to my current regimen of watching the foods I eat, being more active and losing weight.
It feels great to be proactive in fighting my MS and the hidden beast of silent inflammation!
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Note: Multiple Sclerosis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Multiple Sclerosis News Today, or its parent company, Bionews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to multiple sclerosis.
About the Author
Thubten
I read Sears 20 years ago,and wanted to believe him,but most of it was hype to sell products,and much of it has been proven wrong,even holy fish oil.But if a placebo is helpful to you,carry on,but dont waste too much money on it
Debi Wilson
Thanks for sharing your opinion Thubten. Debi
Jeff
In my MS experience (at 65, 40 years since diagnosis) I'm still looking for that magic bullet, without success. But simply being proactive with diet etc can and will make a difference. All of the pundits, from Whal to Sears, keep referring back to the bane of modern society: our poor diets. But we also live in an ultra-sanitary environment, so who needs an immune system, until we do; so it finds other things to do.
Autoimmune conditions are exploding, it's obvious it's our environment and our lifestyles, with our diets being an obvious candidate for blame, but certainly not the only one.
Everyone has a success story, and like me many failures. That only proves we are all individuals and what works for one probably won't work for all, or even anyone else.
Diet is the simplest one thing to improve for everyone, especially those with chronic conditions. It's the only thing everyone agrees on, but the many 'wonder cures' don't seem to make any real difference, they just sell books. There is no magic bullet!
Debi Wilson
Thanks for comment Jeff. I agree there is no magic bullet. I am like you, I try different theories and protocols to see what works best for me. If through my research I find positive results with a protocol I will try it and share the information with others. Debi
l. t.
To all those that suffer. Consider Integrative Medicine.
At the Sponaugle Wellness Institute in Florida there are people misdiagnosed with MS, Parkinson's Disease etc. that actually have Lymes Disease or Toxic Black Mold instead or...?? Under the treatment at this clinic, not yet accepted by Western Medicine, they are being cured and get out of their wheelchairs.
Jay
You are spon on on the diet aspects. I believe our forefathers never had any such diseases in those days.
I have came across millets as a diet healer. Its a type of grain popular in India. Try "Siridhanyalu" in google and make up your own mind
Toni Scott
I have always eaten healthy from a kid.
Noone in my family of 5 Generations living had multiple sclerosis so no one really wanted to believe that's what's wrong with me when diagnosed 14 years ago but here I stand. I just need some answers as to how to stop the inflammation when I get it as the seasons change. Visiting Wichita Kansas from Michigan I get 10 lb extra of fluid even though I take water pills daily that at first helped now it doesn't even though I drink lots of water I drink more water than anything else don't really care for juice. Just looking for answers. Not on any disease modifying drug anymore. Took rebif from 04 when diagnosed till 15. Now I'm on nothing just drink fresh turmeric and ginger to help in inflammation that's about it take blood pressure pills potassium pill a pill that helps the kidneys stay strong because of the water pill. I feel my prescriptions are like a dog chasing its tail take one because you're taking the other. Interested in comments thank you
Michael
I know this is a while later, but If you so happen to see this please let me know if this has worked for you. I am so tired of taking these drugs that don't actually cure anything.