By Wendy Hodsdon, ND

Inflammation is part of the body's natural healing process, even though sometimes it may be painful. Consider this: When you cut yourself, the area around the cut gets red, warm, and swollen. This is your body's natural response, enabling immune cells and other blood cells to travel to the area and repair the damage.

Inflammation can either be internal or external

Inflammation happens externally as the result of an injury, and it also happens internally as the result of disease. When the body tries to heal itself, it increases enzyme action as well as swelling in the injured area so that cells can travel there more efficiently. This response makes the area warm. It can also be painful-swelling causes the tissues to stretch, while the immune response releases chemicals that attract and stimulate the blood's white cells to fight infection. Sometimes this response is all that is needed and the body heals. However, occasionally the inflammatory response causes more pain and damage than the original injury. Rest, ice, compression and elevation are often prescribed to reduce inflammation and avoid further damage after an acute injury.

Internal inflammation is difficult to recognize

How can you tell if there is internal inflammation? Pain is a good sign that inflammation is present. Especially in chronic diseases, the body is attempting to repair itself. Sometimes it succeeds and the tissues heal. Other times the inflammation process becomes chronic as with arthritis, asthma, heart disease, ulcerative colitis, allergies, and many other chronic conditions.

Tips to reduce internal inflammation

Reducing internal inflammation can be as easy as removing the irritants. It is almost like removing a splinter from the skin. While the splinter is there, the body will create more and more inflammation until the splinter is pushed out. As soon as the splinter is gone, the healing process can begin. Toxins and waste products are irritating to the body. Decreasing the toxins brought into the body and assisting the body in eliminating waste products can lead to a reduction in pain and inflammation. Here are some dietary tips to reduce internal inflammation:

1.  Drink water to carry away waste products

The body needs water to carry away waste products. Clean water instead of coffee or soda gives the body clean water in the bucket to do its cleaning with. Drink plenty of water everyday.

2.   Avoid foods that cause allergies or sensitivities that cause inflammation

These foods, which vary person to person, cause inflammation in the intestinal tract by stimulating the immune system. By eliminating the foods the body has made antibodies to, the inflammatory chemicals decrease and there are fewer toxins in the body.

3.   Regulate the immune system with acidophilus and calm down inflammation

Sixty percent of our immune system is based in our intestines. By tonifying the immune system in the intestines, inflammation calms down.

4.   Increase your intake of essential fatty acids (omega 3 oils)

Deep water fish (or wild fish) are a great source of essential fatty acids.

5.   Eat hormone- and antibiotic-free meats, poultry and fish to avoid toxins

Meats that are raised with hormones and antibiotics retain these chemicals even when cooked. The body then needs to process and eliminate them while digesting the food. By avoiding these toxins, you lessen the burden on your body.

6.   Eat a whole foods diet high in vegetables, fish and whole grains to detox and heal

Vegetables contain natural antioxidants and minerals that are necessary to decrease inflammation. Brightly colored vegetables are very high in vitamins and minerals that the body can use to detoxify and heal.

7.   Avoid inflammatory foods

These foods include coffee, chocolate, dairy, sugar, potatoes, corn, peanuts, and wheat. All these foods are difficult for the body to digest and create inflammation.

See what happens. With less inflammation, your pain will decrease and your body will heal more effectively. And you will experience numerous additional benefits from these simple dietary changes.