How Do Choices Lead To Chronic Disease

course syllabus for Your Well-Being online health and wellness education course

Course Outline

Main Ideas

Learning Objective

Understand the link between chronic inflammation and chronic disease.

Behavioral Objective

Identify and remove one processed food from their diet.

Key Thought

Obesity and other chronic disease are not so much calorie or intake problems, but the inflammatory stress these foods ultimately place on our body. Reduce inflammation by reducing sugar, flour, fructose and oils. Offset inflammation by adding water and fresh whole leafy vegetables.

Main Ideas

Learning Objective

Understand the link between chronic inflammation and chronic disease.

Behavioral Objective

Identify and remove one processed food from their diet.

Key Thought

Obesity and other chronic disease are not so much calorie or intake problems, but the inflammatory stress these foods ultimately place on our body. Reduce inflammation by reducing sugar, flour, fructose and oils. Offset inflammation by adding water and fresh whole leafy vegetables.

Terms

Chronic Inflammation

noun

Prolonged and persistent inflammation marked chiefly by new connective tissue formation; it may be a continuation of an acute form or a prolonged low-grade form.

Terms

Chronic Inflammation

noun

Prolonged and persistent inflammation marked chiefly by new connective tissue formation; it may be a continuation of an acute form or a prolonged low-grade form.

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Activities

Introduction

Summary introductory paragraph here.

Understanding the Immune System's Role in Health

The immune system is composed of various cell types including Natural Killer Cells, macrophages, T-cells, and B-cells. These cells serve distinct functions, ranging from attacking foreign pathogens to retaining memory of past invaders. This complex system is essential for protection, healing, and regulation within the body.

The Double-Edged Sword of Inflammation

Inflammation is the immune system's response to injury or invasion, involving the release of chemicals that aim to eradicate harmful stimuli and begin the healing process. This response is beneficial when it's acute-like the redness and heat around a fresh wound which indicates healing. However, when this response becomes chronic, it can lead to severe health issues.

Key Insight into Chronic Inflammation

Chronic inflammation acts like uncontrolled gunfire throughout the body. Instead of a single, targeted bullet, it's like firing buckshot indiscriminately, causing widespread damage. This type of inflammation is associated with a host of chronic diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, asthma, and neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's and dementia. Most chronic diseases have a strong inflammatory component, making inflammation a central focus in understanding and managing these conditions.

Dietary Triggers of Chronic Inflammation

The modern diet, rich in processed foods and sugars, plays a significant role in promoting chronic inflammation. Foods high in sugar, flour, and fructose feed the bacteria in the gut, leading to an overproduction of bacterial toxins-also known as endotoxins. These endotoxins can leak into the bloodstream, prompting a chronic immune response that mimics the presence of an infection where there is none.

This inappropriate immune response creates a state of chronic inflammation that can persist for years, undermining health and leading to the typical signs and symptoms of chronic diseases.

Reversing Chronic Inflammation Through Lifestyle Choices

Understanding that chronic inflammation can be driven by diet and lifestyle choices empowers individuals to make changes that can significantly impact their health. By altering dietary habits to reduce intake of inflammatory foods and increasing consumption of anti-inflammatory foods like whole fruits and vegetables, individuals can manage or even reverse the effects of chronic inflammation.

Practical Steps to Reduce Inflammation

Begin by recognizing the symptoms associated with chronic inflammation-such as persistent fatigue, joint pain, or digestive issues. Journaling food intake and symptoms can help identify dietary triggers. Experimenting with eliminating processed foods and observing the effects can provide insights into how dietary changes can improve health.

Oxidative Stress : 2:10

Healthy Highway Webinar Week 3 8-27-14 : 41:46

Remove A Processed Food

Find one processed food you can remove from your life. Take this month to remove it slowly over time.