Inflammation 101 🛠️

WHAT IT IS

Inflammation is your body’s built-in repair system. When something gets injured (like a sprained wrist or sore teeth and gums from new braces), your body sends blood, fluid, and immune cells to the area to protect and heal it.

HOW IT WORKS

Increases blood flow → brings nutrients + healing cells

Causes swelling, warmth, and pain

Pain = signal to slow down and protect the injury

This is good in the short term (acute inflammation).
It becomes a problem when it sticks around too long (chronic inflammation).

WHAT HARMS IT (too much inflammation)

Ultra-processed food (sugar, seed oils, additives)

Poor sleep

Chronic stress

Too much sitting, no movement

Environmental toxins

WHAT HELPS IT (keeps it balanced)

Real, whole food (protein, fruits, vegetables, healthy fats)

Sleep (this is when repair actually happens)

Smart movement (not overdoing it)

Sunlight + fresh air

Red light therapy

Time (healing isn’t instant)
Medications like Ibuprofen (Advil) reduce inflammation → which reduces pain. This is helpful short-term, but not something to rely on daily.

SIMPLE TAKEAWAY


Inflammation isn’t bad—it’s your body trying to fix something. The goal isn’t to eliminate it, but to keep it short and controlled.