As a common response by your immune system, inflammation easily does more harm than good if not kept in check. For that reason, inflammation is an underlying factor in causing and proliferating most chronic diseases. One horrific example of those chronic diseases is the neurological disease known as Multiple Sclerosis. Currently, there are many ways to fight and prevent inflammation, but why not attack it at the source … in your gut? That’s right—inflammation starts in your gut. So, if you needed another reason to boost your gut health…

Inflammation at work

Inflammation is called the silent killer, because it often builds up in your body without producing any obvious symptoms. But it also shows up in other forms that are very noticeable. These forms include:

• Bursitis
• Fibromyalgia
• Gout
• Menstrual cramps
• Migraines
• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Sciatica
• Tendonitis

How are Gut Bacteria involved?

Inflammation starts in the gut as a result of your gut bacteria communicating with your brain. This communication has three parts to it that affects your overall health by:

• Driving your food cravings The bacteria in your gut require certain nutrients for survival, so they will tell your brain to eat the foods that provide those nutrients. However, those foods may trigger or eliminate inflammation.

• Determining your cells’ ability to produce energy Your cells need energy to function, but chemical messages sent from your gut to your brain control the amount of energy your cells can produce. Too much energy production can lead to cancer and too little can lead to cell death.

• Directing your gene expression Gut bacteria also modify which genes are expressed or suppressed within the cell. This dramatically affects hormone production throughout your body further promoting or limiting the occurrence of disease.

Reduce Inflammation through your Gut

Now that you have an understanding of how your gut bacteria affect your health, you can take action by boosting your good bacteria in order to boost good health. Good bacteria have a beneficial effect on reducing systemic inflammation. So, they can also reduce symptoms of conditions caused by inflammation. Examples of these good bacteria include Lactobacillus, Schistosoma, and Trichura. For more examples or a list of inflammation-fighting foods, ‘Ask a Naturopath’ at Mr Vitamins.