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Inflammation and Mood

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We all get injuries throughout our lives and experience pains from time to time. But constant pain isn’t a normal part of getting older. If you have chronic pain in your joints or muscles, regular headaches, or other indicators of inflammation, such as rashes or allergies, then chronic inflammation may be at the root of your mood issues as well.

Inflammation contributes to mood issues through several pathways.  The activity of the immune system and cytokines (inflammation chemical messengers) has mood altering effects when it reaches the brain and neurological tissue. The brain can also become inflamed through the “Gut-Brain Axis,” which may arise through inflammatory diet, or problems in the gut microbiome.  Another route of mood changes from inflammation is through the build up of toxic compounds in the body that have an inflammatory effect, such as homocysteine, which may not be broken down by the body in some people due to differences in genes like the MTHFR gene.

Chronic inflammation is caused by inflammatory diet, genetics, physical activity levels, obesity, and exposure to molds and infectious chronic diseases such as Epstein Barr disease, Lyme disease, or COVID-19. Chronic inflammation may also persist due to lack of the natural compounds that help block inflammation such as flavonoids, antioxidants, and Omega-3 fatty acids. 

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Did You Know?

  • Fatty tissue in the body releases inflammatory compounds.  The amount of inflammation that can be measured by the inflammatory marker CRP (C-Reactive Protein) is directly correlated to your BMI, or Body Mass Index, which is a measurement that factors in your weight, height, and gender

  • Inflammatory diets, which are high in the top inflammatory foods (sugar, wheat, dairy, corn, eggs, peanuts, potatoes, soy, and tree nuts) are the biggest, and also most modifiable contributor to chronic inflammation

  • 30-40% of Americans are have at least one copy of the MTHFR gene, which is associated with neuro-inflammatory, cardiovascular, cancer, and mood conditions if untreated

  • The body reacts with inflammation when exposed to molds, abnormal gut bacteria, viruses and bacteria (such as chronic Epstein Barr, COVID-19, and Lyme disease), and parasites in an effort to kill the pathogen

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