Should You Be Worried About Inflammation?

18 Mar

You’ve probably heard the word inflammation — but what does it really mean for your health? While short-term inflammation helps the body heal, chronic low-grade inflammation quietly damages tissues, disrupts hormones, and increases your risk of long-term health issues.

At Healixa Health, we see inflammation as one of the most common root causes of fatigue, brain fog, weight gain, and autoimmune conditions.

What Is Chronic Inflammation?

Inflammation is your body’s natural response to injury or infection. However, when this response becomes persistent, it stops being protective and starts damaging healthy cells.

According to the British Society for Immunology and research published in Nature Reviews Immunology, chronic inflammation is linked to:
✅ Type 2 diabetes
✅ Heart disease
✅ Autoimmune conditions (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, lupus)
✅ Alzheimer’s disease
✅ Hormone imbalances
✅ Depression and anxiety

(Sources: https://www.immunology.org/public-information/bitesized-immunology/pathogens-and-disease/chronic-inflammation, https://www.nature.com/articles/nri.2017.44)

Common Signs of Chronic Inflammation:

Fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest
Joint or muscle pain
Digestive issues like bloating or IBS
Skin problems (acne, eczema, psoriasis)
Frequent infections or slow healing
Brain fog or low mood
Weight gain, particularly around the middle

What Causes Chronic Inflammation?

Several lifestyle factors contribute to chronic inflammation, including:
✅ Poor diet — high sugar, processed foods, trans fats
✅ Chronic stress — elevates cortisol, fuelling inflammation
✅ Poor gut health — leaky gut and microbiome imbalances
✅ Toxin exposure — pollutants, mould, heavy metals
✅ Sedentary lifestyle — lack of movement worsens inflammation

How Can You Test for Inflammation?

At Healixa Health, we use advanced testing where appropriate, such as:
✔ High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) — a marker of systemic inflammation
✔ Stool tests — assess gut-driven inflammation
✔ Omega-3 index — low levels increase inflammation risk
✔ Nutrient testing — deficiencies in antioxidants like zinc, vitamin C, and selenium fuel inflammation

NICE guidelines support testing inflammation markers in assessing cardiovascular and autoimmune risks: https://www.nice.org.uk/

Natural Ways to Reduce Inflammation:

✅ Eat anti-inflammatory foods — oily fish, leafy greens, berries, nuts, olive oil
✅ Balance blood sugar — reduce processed carbs and sugars
✅ Prioritise gut health — fibre, probiotics, and gut-healing foods
✅ Manage stress — breathwork, yoga, mindfulness
✅ Increase daily movement — even walking reduces inflammatory markers

(Source: Arthritis Foundation, Harvard Health: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/foods-that-fight-inflammation)

Why It Matters:

Unchecked inflammation increases your risk of future disease. But with the right testing and lifestyle changes, it can be managed and reduced — improving energy, mood, and long-term health.