With the proliferation of “anti-inflammatory” diets recently, you might be hearing a lot about inflammation. Indeed, chronic inflammation is linked to many chronic diseases, so taking steps to avoid it (or at least lessen the chances of experiencing it) is important. What exactly is inflammation, and what can you do to stop it in its tracks?
What is inflammation?
Inflammation is the process in which the body’s immune system kicks into full gear to fight off harmful things, such as injury, bacteria, viruses, toxins, or heat. When inflammation occurs, damaged tissues release chemicals such as histamine, bradykinin, and prostaglandins. These chemicals, in turn, cause blood vessels to leak fluid into tissues, causing swelling. While swelling isn’t
