by Tina Van Horn, Director of Research and Business Development at SL Technology, Inc., a Reliv Company
Register now for Tina’s next live webinar “Keeping Kids Healthy in a Fast Food World” this Wednesday, October 21, at noon Central.
ACUTE INFLAMMATION: THE QUICK FIX
Acute inflammation is your body’s reaction to something foreign, such as viruses, bacteria, allergens and trauma. When the foreign invader is no longer a threat, the inflammatory response should return to its healthy state: ready but not active.
Acute inflammation is an important immune response that protects you from infection and repairs tissues following injury. In most cases it is short-lived because the stimulus that triggered its activation is no longer present. The immune system has done its job of destroying the pathogens and healing the damaged tissues.
CHRONIC INFLAMMATION: THE SLOW BURN
But what happens when the inflammatory stimulus doesn’t go away? Many of the environmental signals that trigger inflammation are less obvious, continuous threats that keep the immune system functioning at a low level for a long period of time. This leads to chronic inflammation — a lowgrade, systemic condition often without any immediate symptoms. Over time, chronic inflammation slowly destroys tissues, leading to cumulative and serious damage.
Our modern culture and way of life create inflammatory triggers that we experience day after day, week after week, year after year. The cycle of inflammation perpetuates itself over time, ultimately producing serious health problems. These environmental/lifestyle triggers include obesity, poor diet, sedentary behaviors, stress and environmental toxins, like smoking or occupational exposures.
- Obesity increases inflammatory markers as fat cells secrete pro-inflammatory proteins.
- Sugar, alcohol, and trans fats have been linked to inflammation.
- Stress and lack of sleep increase the production of pro-inflammatory compounds.
- Smoking and environmental toxins introduce free radicals that ignite and sustain inflammation.
These triggers generally aren’t resolved easily or quickly, so the cycle persists indefinitely. Continuous inflammation breaks down tissues and organs, contributing to deteriorating health.
THE LIFESTYLE SOLUTION
Because chronic inflammation is influenced by our daily choices, it is a relentless fire that can either be stoked or doused every day. If what you are doing isn’t part of the solution, it is likely part of the problem. And the solution is nothing new: everyday choices associated with living a healthy lifestyle are the same mediators proven to disrupt chronic inflammation.
Exercise, for example, reduces the activity of genes associated with inflammation. But consuming a varied diet rich in phytonutrients found in fruits, vegetables and whole grains, as well as omega 3 and monounsaturated fats, has proven to be the most effective lifestyle modification.
RELIV’S ROLE
Reliv’s essential nutrition products and targeted solutions contain some of the most powerful anti-inflammatory compounds found naturally in colorful fruits and vegetables, including papain from papaya, curcumin from turmeric, bromelain from pineapple, and cayenne from red peppers. These unique (many patented) formulas provide combinations of anti-inflammatory ingredients that affect multiple pathways to support a healthy inflammatory response.
Reliv’s exclusive LunaRich® products deliver the most effective form of bioactive lunasin available, one of the few dietary ingredients with a known mechanism of action. In addition to lowering cholesterol epigenetically, lunasin also reduces the activation of genes involved in the inflammatory response.
Proprietary combinations of dietary ingredients, working together synergistically, explain why people experience such a wide range of health benefits from Reliv products. It’s not magic — it’s quality nutrition and sound science working together to reduce inflammation and promote health on multiple levels.
LUNASIN: YOUR SUPER WEAPON AGAINST INFLAMMATION
What sets lunasin apart from other dietary ingredients? Research has shown it disrupts the inflammatory response in multiple ways. Because inflammation is such a complex process, it is best attacked from various angles.
- Lunasin acts as an antioxidant, intercepting circulating free radicals before they set off an immune response.
- Lunasin blocks specific receptor sites on cell walls to prevent activation of the inflammatory pathway.
- Lunasin can stop the NF-kB protein components from entering the nucleus, where it interacts with the DNA to turn on the inflammatory cycle.
Ongoing research is investigating more ways in which lunasin disrupts inflammatory signals and pathways. Reliv’s exclusive LunaRich® products deliver the most effective form of bioactive lunasin available.
Learn more about Reliv’s LunaRich® product line.
What benefits have you received from Reliv’s LunaRich® products? Share your success in the comments section below!