Thursday, March 28, 2024
When I woke up feeling like my body was rejecting me as a host I knew I needed to make a change. The more I talk to others about what I have found the more I hear they too are struggling with inflammation. Growing older doesn't have to automatically hurt.
As men age, they often encounter a myriad of health concerns, with inflammation being a common underlying factor. Inflammation, although a natural response of the body to injury or infection, can become chronic and contribute to various health issues, including heart disease, arthritis, and even certain cancers.
For men over 40, prioritizing strategies to reduce inflammation becomes crucial for maintaining overall health and well-being. Let's use this time to explore the causes of inflammation in men over 40 and I will provide practical tips to help mitigate its effects.
I remember having a goal of being in the best shape of my life when I hit 40. I wanted to defy the odds of what I was seeing all around me.
Unfortunately, I decided to act like I was 18 again for a couple months working around the house without actually have a strong foundation to do so and slipped a disc in my neck.
Many of the reasons I list below started me on a path to massive amounts of inflammation throughout my body.
I woke up one day thinking I feel like my body is actually rejecting me, little did I know at the time I was just experiencing a massive amounts of inflammation.
This was the start of my not so straight journey to figuring out what triggers inflammation, how to keep it at bay and different ways to deal with inflammation from injuries that will help your body heal faster.
Understanding Inflammation:
Inflammation is the body's defense mechanism against harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants. While acute inflammation is a temporary and localized response necessary for healing, chronic inflammation is a persistent low-grade inflammatory state that can wreak havoc on the body over time.
Causes of Inflammation in Men Over 40:
Several factors contribute to inflammation in men as they age, below is a list of six of the big ones including:
1. Poor Diet: Consuming processed foods high in refined sugars, unhealthy fats, and additives can trigger inflammation. I am also going to add complex carbohydrates specifically by GMO grains.
I have known people personally that suffer from Celiac disease in the United States, traveling to Italy, eating non-GMO grain and having no issues.
I retain significant amounts of water if I eat complex carbs. I may not be a doctor but carrying around 10 extra pounds of water seems would definitely lead to more aches and pains.
2. Sedentary Lifestyle: Lack of physical activity can lead to weight gain and metabolic dysfunction, both of which promote inflammation.
3. Stress: Chronic stress can dysregulate the body's immune response, leading to increased inflammation.
4. Insufficient Sleep: Inadequate sleep negatively impacts immune function and can exacerbate inflammation.
5. Environmental Toxins: Exposure to pollutants, chemicals, and other environmental toxins can trigger inflammation and oxidative stress.
6. Hormonal Changes: As men age, hormonal fluctuations, particularly a decline in testosterone levels, can contribute to increased inflammation.
Strategies to Reduce Inflammation:
Fortunately, there are various lifestyle modifications men can adopt to reduce inflammation and promote better health:
1. Adopt a Mediterranean-style Diet: Emphasize whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, lean proteins, and healthy fats like olive oil. These foods are rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds.
2. Maintain a Healthy Weight: Aim for a healthy body weight through a combination of regular exercise and mindful eating to reduce inflammation associated with obesity.
The 6 Week Warrior Workouts can help jumpstart this process for you check out our products page for more information.
3. Exercise Regularly: Engage in a mix of cardiovascular, strength training, and flexibility exercises to improve circulation, reduce stress, and lower inflammation levels.
4. Manage Stress: Practice stress-reduction techniques such as mindfulness meditation, deep breathing exercises, yoga, connecting with nature or engaging in hobbies to lower cortisol levels and combat inflammation.
5. Prioritize Quality Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night to support immune function and reduce inflammation.
6. Limit Alcohol and Tobacco: Excessive alcohol consumption and smoking can exacerbate inflammation and should be avoided or minimized.
7. Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to flush out toxins and maintain optimal hydration levels, which can help reduce inflammation.
If you really want to flush the toxins see my Blog post on a 3- or 7-day water fast, it is the ultimate hydration experience.
8. Supplement Wisely: Incorporating supplements like omega-3 fatty acids, turmeric, ginger, Vitamin C, black seed oil and Vitamin D, which have anti-inflammatory properties.
9. Manage Chronic Conditions: Work closely with natural healthcare providers to manage chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and arthritis, as they can contribute to inflammation if left uncontrolled.
Consider incorporating DMSO into your anti-inflammation regiment. Ask your healthcare provider about the various benefits or do your own research and really expand your mindset.
Inflammation is a significant concern for men over 40, but with proactive lifestyle modifications, it can be effectively managed and reduced.
By adopting a holistic approach that encompasses dietary changes, regular exercise, stress management, and adequate sleep, men can promote overall health and well-being while mitigating the risks associated with chronic inflammation.
Remember, small changes can yield significant benefits in the long run, so prioritize self-care and make inflammation reduction a cornerstone of your wellness routine.
Have a blessed day,
Tony Savickas
Founder, 40+ Warriors
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