Inflammation is something that everyone experiences on a regular basis whether you know it or not. Inflammation comes in different forms. It can be external resulting in uncomfortable symptoms or can be internal with no symptoms being felt outward. You will see how CBD oil and inflammation work so well together and can assist in the healing process.
Some common signs that you could be dealing with inflammation include issues like asthma, chronic pain, heart problems, peptic ulcers, rheumatoid arthritis, dental problems, sinusitis, digestive problems, eczema, psoriasis, obesity, diabetes, colon cancer, and the list goes on and on. If you can’t tell, inflammation is at the root of most illnesses.
What is Inflammation?
Inflammation occurs when we get an injury, wound, or infection. It is an immune response from the body in an effort the protect the affected location. It is a defence mechanism of the body and the attempt to begin the healing process and remove the irritant or problem. While short-term acute inflammation serves a purpose and is of general benefit to the body, long-term chronic inflammation can be detrimental to our health since it can result in damage to tissues and pain within the body.
Acute Inflammation
There are particular symptoms that I am sure we are familiar with when it comes to acute inflammation. This can involve unpleasant symptoms like redness, swelling, pain, heat, and immobility.
However, these signs only apply to external manifestations of inflammation. They will not be so obvious for anything going on deeper within the body since some organs do not possess nerve endings. This means you will not necessarily feel pain within your body, for example, with organs like the lungs or intestines.
This type of inflammation comes on quickly and often lasts just a few days. If the body is treated properly, healing will occur and the inflammation will subside. This includes illnesses like bronchitis, tonsillitis, and appendicitis. If the body cannot fight or overcome the bacteria or injury then chronic inflammation can begin.
Chronic Inflammation
This type of inflammation will present itself much differently. This will include symptoms like fatigue, mouth sores, chest pain, abdominal pain, fever, rash, and joint pain. It develops slowly over time and can last for months or even years.
The result is tissue death and further thickening or scarring of connective tissue. The reason this occurs is that the body cannot break down pathogens like viruses or foreign bodies that remain in the system.
This can also occur due to an overactive immune response from autoimmune conditions. This can include certain illnesses like asthma, arthritis, sinusitis, or ulcerative colitis.
Common Remedies
The medical world likes to refer to a few common options for the treatment of inflammation. This will include NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and corticosteroids. While these can work well they often come with some side effects.
NSAIDs counteract the enzyme that produces inflammation and so can help to reduce pain. However, this is a surface-level solution and does not look at the root of the problem or promote the ability of the body to heal itself. They can also increase the risk for stomach ulcers, stroke or heart attack, and result in kidney damage if taken too frequently.
Corticosteroids use steroid hormones like cortisol to prevent a number of different mechanisms involved in inflammation. These medications are much more invasive and can throw off the delicate balance of the body resulting in thyroid imbalances, overgrowth of bad bacteria like candida, electrolyte imbalances, high blood pressure, and weaker connective tissue,
The goods news…
We can prevent inflammation from becoming a long-term problem with some natural options very effectively without any of the damaging effects on the body. The body possesses the natural ability to heal itself given the right conditions. Rather than masking the symptoms of inflammation we can promote the healing process from the inside out using diet or herbs.
“Juggling jobs can really put you under stress, though after taking Icaria’s CBD oil the effects have given me clarity and motivation to continue with my daily tasks. I will continue to use this CBD oil for it’s amazing therapeutic benefits of easing inflammation in the body. ”
— LOUISE MAREE
“I have always dealt with neck pain and have taken Advil up to 4x per day to deal with it (not healthy), Icaria has instantly relieved my back pain and even prevented it as I can now skip days without taking anything (this wasn’t a thing before). An added bonus us the way Icaria keeps me focused by reducing my stress levels, it’s now a part of my routine.”
— REBECCA ROCHON, FOUNDER OF PIVOT & PILOT, VANCOUVER
Enter CBD oil…
CBD has the ability to both enhance and reduce the binding action of certain receptors in our own endocannabinoid system and works on a molecule called anandamide which is found in our body (1). This action has been shown to regulate the immune response by suppressing particular cells that play a role in inflammation and immunity. This also holds promise for some autoimmune conditions and other diseases where chronic inflammation is an issue. (2)
Therefore CBD is a helpful supplement since not only does it help with short-term pain in the moment but can also help with the general healing process over the long-term by working on the immune system response and preventing further tissue damage down the line. It can also help prevent acute inflammation from becoming chronic by supporting the body at the most critical time. This means that CBD can decrease the symptoms of inflammatory conditions like arthritis. (3)
In addition, this makes CBD a fantastic supplement for athletes to help with recovery and performance due the high levels of inflammation that come from constantly stressing out the muscles with frequent exercise and common injury to the body.
We suggest ICARIA’s THEIA 1500 mg in the 30 mL size. We like this one because there is no flavour so you can take it multiple times throughout the day which is needed to keep inflammation under control and the bigger size will give you work product to work with.
Diet and Lifestyle Suggestions
While CBD oil for pain and inflammation are excellent together, we can also control inflammation with our dietary habits too. With our diet we want to really focus on increasing our consumption of whole foods to give our body the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants it needs to maintain a healthy internal environment. There are particular foods that are both pro and anti-inflammatory shown in the lists below.
Pro-inflammatory foods:
-processed meats
-sugary drinks
-trans fats from fried foods
-white breads and pasta
-gluten from wheat
-dairy products
-soy and vegetable oil
-processed snacks
Anti-inflammatory foods:
-fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, and tuna
-olive oil
-avocados
-coconut oil
-green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale
-nuts like almonds and walnuts
-fruit like strawberries, blueberries, and citrus
-whole grains
-apple cider vinegar
Supplement Suggestions
We will want to focus on consuming lots of healthy fat like omega 3 essential fatty acids and lots of fruit and vegetables that are full of antioxidants to neutralize free radicals and which help to alkalize our body. This means cutting out the processed foods that can further contribute to inflammation by putting our body in a more acidic state.
A couple of herbal remedies can also include turmeric and ginger which are both spices used a lot in cooking. Turmeric contains the active component called curcumin which helps boost detoxification within the body protecting against cancer and fighting inflammation while ginger helps to boost digestion and is a great antioxidant.
