Are You Swollen?
For the vast majority of people today, the answer to this question is a resounding “Yes!”
Chronic Low Grade Inflammation is widely rampant in our modern culture. This type of inflammation is the root cause of the tremendous suffering associated with heart disease, joint pain, digestive distress, degenerative brain disorders, and skin issues. Unfortunately, most people (even doctors) are unaware of the devastating effects of this epidemic. What is even scarier is the fact that most people do not even know that they have it.
Chronic Inflammation is known as “Silent Inflammation” because it is so insidious – creeping up on people over time, often creating symptoms and conditions that they spend years (and fortunes) trying to treat or correct.
Millions today suffer from depression, anxiety, mood disorders, and degenerative brain diseases like Alzheimer’s and senility. Reams of research suggest that low-grade, chronic inflammation may be the underlying culprit.
Chronic Inflammation has several contributors, but the most common offender is a pro-inflammatory diet-style. In particular, the root cause of this inflammation is an upset in the critical balance of our Essential Fatty Acid intake.
The original human diet-style included equal portions of specific EFAs (Essential Fatty Acids): Omega-6 and Omega-3 Fatty Acids. These fatty acids are essential because our cells need them to be healthy, and we cannot make them within the body; therefore they must be provided in our diets.
Our cells’ requirements were shaped largely during the thousands of years that we lived as Hunters and Gatherers – and by the foods that were available then. Our ancestors ate a diet that was balanced in Omega-6 and Omega-3 FAs. In fact, experts say that we maintained close to a 1:1 ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3s. This balance promoted healthier cell membranes and optimal hormonal levels in our ancestors then – and it still does today.
If we wish to achieve and maintain optimal cell function and health today, we must move toward achieving the same balance of essential fatty acids in our diet-style.
Unfortunately, the modern human diet-style is widely out of balance. A typical American diet-style consists of a 10:1 or even 20:1 Omega-6: Omega-3 FA ratio. We are consuming far too many Omega-6s and far too few Omega-3s. This is leading to the epidemic of chronic, low-grade inflammation and the resulting ill health and suffering associated with it.
Stay tuned for more on this topic in upcoming blog posts right here…
And be sure to check out the FREE workshop on November 9th here.
In health from within,
Dr. Stephen Franson
