S5E4: Inflammation: What it is, How It Causes Disease, and How You Can Decrease It

Inflammation can be a killer – how do we combat it?

Together, diseases related to chronic inflammation account for 50% of deaths worldwide. The relation among obesity, inflammation, and metabolic syndrome is an interrelated mesh that can lead to an early death if we do not learn how to manage chronic inflammation.

In this Episode:

• 00:00 – Our Sponsor: Tree of Life Memorials and Digital & Stone
• 00:20 – Intro
• 02:30 – Discussion of Terri Schiavo Documentary
• 09:10 – History of the Funeral Pall
• 16:13 – What is Inflammation?
• 37:31- Foods to Help with Inflammation
• 47:25 – Recipe of the Week: whole grain bread loaf

How Big of a Problem is Inflammation?

In 2020, 31.9% of adults ages 18 or older had obesity or severe obesity, and is rapidly rising, especially for younger ages. Obesity is a major cause of chronic inflammation, which in turn has many downstream effects. We talk about the mechanics of inflammation and our emerging understanding of its role in disease in this episode.

We also talk about ways to combat inflammation, including getting sleep, moving more, and focusing on a diet that reduces inflammation.

FAQ About Diet and Inflammation

Is a vegetarian diet anti-inflammatory?

Though meat can be inflammatory, keep in mind that cutting animal products doesn’t necessarily mean eating healthfully.

Do anti-inflammatory diets work?

The biggest hint that your anti-inflammatory diet is working is if you start feeling better, so keep an eye on your symptoms and look for positive changes to your health.

How long does it take to see results from an anti-inflammatory diet?

Give yourself three to six months to make diet changes and to begin to see results.

BMI For Adults Widget

Recipe of the Week

Just to help you along your way with a healthy diet, we found a bread to get you started. It’s a whole-grain, gluten-free, no-knead, no-mess, life-changing loaf of bread shared by Food 52, adapted slightly from Sarah Britton of My New Roots.

All About the Funeral Pall

We share the interesting history of the funeral pall. A pall (also alled mortcloth or casket saddle) is a cloth that covers a casket or coffin at funerals.The word comes from the Latin pallium (cloak) – a covering for the body or casket – that has been used for hundreds of years. (If that sounds familiar, it is also the origin of the word Palliative.)

Some can be very ornate, such as the one used above. Marianne even found a sewing pattern for one, made out of 7 yards of your favorite fabric. What a wonderful way to personalize the funeral for your loved one.

Related Content for this Episode:

• S2E25: Move It! Secrets for battling fatigue in spite of illness
• S4E29: Six Ways to Develop a Healthy Sleep Routine
• S3E37: What Can a Mindfulness Practice Offer You?
• S4E18: How to Exorcise Depression and Anxiety with Exercise

References:

• Funeral Customs: Chapter VI: Funeral Feasts and Processions (sacred-texts.com)
• Infections and immunity: associations with obesity and related metabolic disorders – PMC (nih.gov)
• Obesity and Inflammation: A Vicious Cycle (healthcentral.com)
• Inflammation and Cancer – PMC (nih.gov)
• The Surprising Link Between Chronic Inflammation & Obesity—Plus What You Can Do About It (eatingwell.com)

Resources:

• Amazon.com : funeral pall
• Funeral Palls | EWTN
• Funeral Casket Pall Sewing Pattern | Church Vestment Sewing Pattern (ecclesiasticalsewing.com)
• Foods that Fight Inflammation – Harvard Health
• Supplements That Fight Inflammation | The ‘Pause Blog – The ‘Pause Life by Dr. Mary Claire Haver (thepauselife.com)
• Fighting Inflammation – Harvard Health
• Anti-Inflammatory Diet | Health Benefits, Foods to Eat & Foods to Avoid – Dona Health
• Nutritional Anti-Inflammation Quiz – The ‘Pause Life by Dr. Mary Claire Haver (thepauselife.com)
• Calculate Your BMI – Standard BMI Calculator (nih.gov)

Our Sponsors:

This episode was sponsored by The Tree of Life Memorials and Digital & Stone – a new platform to create digital memorials, environmental legacies and fine art monuments. Share the Stories, preserve the memories, conserve the land, connect the Souls…. because Love never dies. Find out more at https://www.digitalandstone.com/

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