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Usually, inflammation is the body’s way of protecting itself from injury or infection. Under normal conditions the body is able to repair itself, ward off invaders and return to a state of homeostasis (harmony and stability). However, when inflammation becomes prolonged and persists, it can become damaging and destructive to the body’s tissues. The inflammation tends to increase as we age.   “Inflammaging” describes the low-grade, chronic, systemic inflammation, which contributes to the development of age-related diseases.

Several studies have demonstrated that chronic inflammation represents the “common soil” for a wide variety of conditions from chronic pain disorders to type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, obesity, asthma, and aging. 

Inflammation can affect the body in several ways, including:

• The Nervous System: It can result in depression, anxiety, impaired cognition, and neuropathic pain

• The Skin: It can lead to dermatitis, hives, acne, and premature aging. 

• The Gut: It can cause pain, bloating, weight gain, and poor nutrient absorption

• The Immune System: It can affect autoimmune disorders and cause allergies

• Musculoskeletal- It can cause pain and reduced mobility 

A healthy inflammatory response is dependent on a healthy immune system.  The primary functions of the immune system are to maintain health and promote healing by defending the body against foreign invaders such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi; and to protect us from abnormal cells like those of cancer, but as we age the immune system doesn’t work as efficiently as in our younger years.  This can lead to “cytokine dysregulation ” within the immune system. 

“Cytokine dysregulation is believed to play a key role in chronic inflammation. Cytokines are a wide cast of small molecules in the body that are released by certain cells to help coordinate the battle against injury or infection. Ideally, there’s a balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. When the pro-inflammatory cytokines drown out the anti-inflammatory cytokines, tissue damage occurs. This tissue damage is known as inflammation. When inflammation is reduced, pain is often reduced as well” - Debra Young, Founder of Young Nutraceuticals 

Naturally, once our immune system is impacted, it leaves us at risk of infection, illness, and general ill-health. Inflammation within the body can potentially be the cause, or at the very least, play a role in many chronic conditions, diseases, premature aging, and lowered overall immune function. Without a healthy immune system, the body cannot protect itself from the numerous threats to well-being that are prevalent in modern society and many of the stressors that we deal with daily.

Nourish and Heal Your Immune System

Adjusting our approach to health assists in achieving the goals we set through wellness directives, initiatives, support, and supplements. No, we may never be “perfect” in terms of health, but we can be in a continued state of improvement as we heal and repair. 

There is a myriad of ways and means to improve your health and the fundamentals should always be a higher priority. These include: 

• Regular physical exercise and activity at least 3-5x weekly for 20-30 minutes each time. 

• Good nutrition that offers your body the best you can give it if not 100% of the time, then at least 80% of the time! 

• Stress management such as taking regular breaks when needed, introducing relaxation techniques and practices that help to stabilize stress, and pay due attention to your emotional and mental well-being.

• Sleep! Without the appropriate quantity and quality of sleep, health suffers. Sleep is a very individual thing, some people can function well on 6-8 hours each evening, and others may need more. The important thing is to listen to your body and allow time for rest and repair. Your body naturally heals and repairs itself during sleep. 

Foods Which Help to Combat Inflammation

Foods that help to combat inflammation may assist in healing the body. Anti-inflammatory foods can help to alleviate the risk of illness and restore some balance to your body. Here are just a few great, anti-inflammatory foods you could include in your daily diet! 

• Berries. Berries are well-documented for being “super-foods”. This means that they pack a high nutritional punch, even when eaten in small amounts. Strawberries and Blueberries are ideal for naturally sweetening your breakfast cereal or for mixing into a healthy smoothie. 

• Olive oil has many benefits for the body. As well as being a super anti-inflammatory, it also does wonders for your heart health! And it is so simple to implement into your diet, just switch to it from your usual cooking oil, or drizzle over salads or pasta. 

• Leafy greens such as spinach, broccoli, and kale are also super-foods, they are packed full of vitamins and minerals and high in anti-oxidants. 

• Avocados. Avocados are a supreme source of vitamin E but they also contain numerous vitamins and minerals and are low in saturated fats. Avocado on toast may be the new breakfast for a healthy lifestyle or try adding it to a salad for lunch.

• Fish and walnuts are both rich in omega 3 fatty acids, which may reduce inflammation

If your gut isn’t working properly, the rest of your immune system isn’t working properly either. Two-thirds of the body’s immune system is in the gut. A healthy diet seems to have the most powerful influence over the gut microbiome and can help keep inflammation under control. Heavily processed foods and refined sugars can increase inflammation, so try to keep these to a minimum. 

Other Ways to Support the Immune System

Supplements are also incredibly useful for giving our body what we miss through food or times when we are busy and perhaps aren’t centered on our health as we could be. 

One of those supplements is Mirica®. It is a dietary supplement featuring the synergistic combination of palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) and luteolin.  Mirica®’s main ingredients, PEA and luteolin, have both been shown to have immune-modulating properties. In other words, they help the immune system to work optimally. The ingredients in Mirica® are clinically supported and, of course, completely natural.

More About Mirica®’s Ingredients

• Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is a naturally occurring lipid that plays a crucial role in metabolic and cellular homeostasis within the human body. PEA is produced by our cells and we also get it through our diet. It is present in most foods. It was first discovered and used in the 1950s for its anti-inflammatory properties. Since then over 800 published studies have demonstrated the anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and neuroprotective actions of PEA.  

Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) / Image: Courtesy of Young Nutraceuticals

• Luteolin is a flavonoid abundantly present in artichoke, broccoli, thyme, and celery. Studies have shown that luteolin possesses beneficial neuroprotective effects. It also has antioxidant and immune-modulatory properties. 

 Luteolin / Image: Courtesy of Young Nutraceuticals

When combined, PEA and luteolin show enhanced anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and neuroprotective properties. This is because the properties of PEA and those of luteolin appear complementary, which suggests that, if administered in combination, they can counteract the two main conspirators of chronic diseases: low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress. 

Essentially, this means that Mirica® can help to support a healthy inflammatory and immune response. 

Young Nutraceuticals: The Makers of Mirica®

Young Nutraceuticals is a developer and manufacturer of science-based formulations produced with the highest quality ingredients.

They have a passion for helping people by creating quality, innovative products that promote health and wellness and enhance the quality of life. 

Mirica® contains no chemical preservatives, fillers, or binders; it is gluten-free and suitable for vegans. 

*The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The contents of this website are not medical advice and are intended for general knowledge and informational purposes only. You should consult a licensed health care professional before starting any supplement, dietary, or exercise program. Mirica is not intended for use by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Keep out of reach of children. Results may vary from person to person.

* In partnership with our friends at Young Nutraceuticals * Photo courtesy of Young Nutraceuticals and Pixibay

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