Alex Howard Group
October 23, 2009

Inflammation and Chronic Fatigue Causes

Inflammation, as dubbed by Time Magazine, is one of the chronic fatigue causes and is a secret killer found to be the foundation for such diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, Multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, arthritis, heart attacks, Fibromyalgia, allergies, obesity and many more diseases. While many of these diseases are not related nor caused by the other, the one factor they all have in common is inflammation. Inflammation has become (epidemic).Inflammation is an auto immune response. The body detects an invader, usually a virus, parasite or bacteria and sets of the mechanism to destroy them. The body's auto immune response does not decrease, making inflammation one of the chronic fatigue causes. It continues to attack thinking the invader is still present. Symptoms of chronic inflammation are swelling, pain, and redness at the point of irritation.During the auto immune response pathogens are killed by free radicals. These are oxygen rich particles that injure and kill cells they come into contact with. When they are directed at the invading particles such as bacteria, virus or parasites this is a positive response. These free radicals rid the body of various diseases. When this free radical process goes unchecked, it becomes one of the great chronic fatigue causes, and the cells continue to be bombarded by free radicals to the point of destroying healthy tissue. The free radical process in its normal state is the process of aging. Where the imbalance occurs is when an individual gets one of the above mentioned diseases.The body does have a natural defense against free radical attack. The presence of anti oxidants lessens the negative effect of free radicals. Chemically, free radicals are oxygen rich and anti oxidants is oxygen deficient. When these two particles come into contact they become stable. The body is no longer under attack and inflammation slows. For the chronic fatigue sufferer this means that the pain, swelling and redness decreases in their joints.When the body does not have an adequate supply of anti oxidants, free radicals are out of balance and stress on the cellular level occurs. If left unchecked free radicals have a devastating effect on the cell membranes, blood vessels, joints, and nerve endings.Inflammation is caused by poor eating habits. Type B malnutrition is a diet high in calories, but very low in nutrients. The result is obscenity accompanied by poor health that manifests into low grade infections including urinary tract infections, gum disease, Chlamydia and stomach ulcers. Inflammation becomes epidemic and is one of the major chronic fatigue causes.Poor Gut health is caused by a poor diet. The immune system is centered in the intestines. If the health of the gut is poor, the immune system will be poor. A diet low in fiber and nutrients will cause an imbalance of good bacteria to bad. This condition is termed gut dysbiosis and is caused by too much sugar, white flour products and highly processed foods. A low fiber diet can lead to constipation which will prevent toxin and bad bacteria from leaving the body. The immune system suffers and can no longer protect the body. Chronic inflammation is the result.Prolonged stress reduces the intestines ability to maintain a health balance which leads to low grade infection, parasites, attack from parasites, viruses and bacteria. Stress is one of the great chronic fatigue causes because it reduces the presence of cortisol which is a naturally occurring anti inflammatory hormone in the body.Obesity causes inflammation because fat cells act like immune cells. The higher the concentration of fat cells the higher the concentration of an inflammatory immune response.Free radical stress triggers the body's immune response. These oxygen rich particles are aggressive against body tissue. When the invader is a bacterium, virus or parasite this attack is healthy, but left out of balance the present of free radicals can damage healthy tissue.The environment plays a crucial role in the body's bombardment from free radicals. The heavy metals-mercury and aluminum, exhaust fumes and pesticides cause a free radial response in the body. Too much sunlight causes sunburn and the body will send out the free radical immune response to heal the damaged skin. Sunburn is extremely painful on the joints and muscles. Physical exercise causes a free radical response in the body. While a modest amount of exercise is healthy, extreme exercise is counter productive and unhealthy.Hydrogenated and Trans fats produced from burning vegetable oils causes the release of free radicals. Over or highly processed food, deep fried foods and refined foods when eaten are filled with the broken down oils that create the free radical immune response in the body.A diet low in anti oxidants becomes one of the chronic fatigue causes. Foods that are rich in anti oxidants are organic fruits and vegetables.The smartest approach for an individual suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome is to fight their disease with a nutritional approach. They should avoid foods that contain grain allergens such as: wheat and dairy from cows that have wheat as the mainstay of their diet. These allergens create a chronic inflammatory response in the body. Avoid white flour, sugar, foods high is starch content such as: potatoes. These foods lead to an increase in poor gut health by raising the level of bad bacteria which results in an increase of inflammation.Reduce the consumption to 3 times per week or avoid altogether consuming red meat. Red meat is high in saturated fats that promote the free radical response in the body. Avoid carbonated beverages, coffee and tea as these are acid promoting and will increase inflammation.Reduce foods that cause an allergic reaction. Common allergic foods are eggs, tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, aubergines, plums, oranges, and rhubarb. These foods can trigger a reaction of swollen joints, stiffness, and achy muscles found in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms.The second approach for individuals with Epstein Barr chronic fatigue is to increase those foods that decrease inflammation. Foods to increase are: Fish, lean organic chicken, turkey, and soy grass fed beef. These foods help maintain a stable blood sugar and keep insulin levels balanced.Increase the intake of alkalizing foods such as: cherries, carrots, apples, blackberries, cucumbers, pineapple, grapes, kiwi, bananas, kiwi, chard, mixed greens, and spinach.Use olive oil instead of other vegetables for cooking. Olive oil will not break down and cause the free radical response that the other oils will. Increase intake of foods high in Omega 3 such as: tuna, herring, nuts, sardines, seeds, mackerel, walnuts, flax oil/seeds, and anchovies.Nuts and seeds also contain Omega 6 which is anti inflammatory.Foods high in vitamin D should be consumed daily as a deficient of vitamin D cause inflammation in the body. Foods with high concentrations of vitamin D are: eggs, cod liver oil, beef liver and meat, salmon, mackerel, tuna, and herring.As an alternative to wheat, use rice, spelt, barley, millet, guinoa or amaranth.Anti inflammatory spices such as cayenne, rosemary, and turmeric should be added to food whenever possible.An alternative to dairy milk that was obtained from cows that consumed wheat is rice, almond or soy milk.Lifestyle changes can help reduce inflammation for the patient with a chronic fatigue diagnosis. Proper mouth hygiene: daily brushing, flossing and rinsing will reduce the presence of gum disease.A limit amount of sunshine daily from 20-30 minutes is healthy and will increase the absorption of vitamin D. Avoid sunburn, though as this is pro-inflammatory.Increase physical exercise to 30-60 minutes up to 5 times a week. This increase in physical exercise will help lubricate the body's joints, increase metabolism and strengthen muscles. If an individual with chronic fatigue syndrome exercised more than the recommended amount the effects can be unhealthy.Create a plan for reducing stress. Added stress from the workplace, home, or social situations causes hormones to become imbalanced and that leads to inflammation.

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