Could chronic inflammation be Ground Zero? A number of leading experts believe it is and may be the way to discover a cure. Some experts believe the source of quite a few chronic illnesses is chronic inflammation and the number of experts is growing. Life-threatening illnesses such as heart disease as well as Alzheimers may also be linked to chronic inflammation. In other words, the answer to the question is yes, chronic inflammation could very well be ground zero.
Inflammation
In the prior article, Pain — It’s Inevitable, we saw that inflammation is a process by which your body heals itself. It brings its nourishment and immune response to the injured or infected area. Recognizable forms of inflammation include swelling, heat, redness, and pain. When inflammation persists or doesn’t seem to serve a purpose it can result in an illness or bodily damage. There are a number of contributing factors resulting in inflammation. Some include:
- a genetic predisposition,
- dietary choices such as
- those high in refined sugars and trans fats
- exposure to toxins such as
- second hand tobacco smoke,
- lack of exercise,
- lack of sleep, and
- the inevitable stress.
Anti-inflammatory Compounds
Holistic health professionals like Dr. Andrew Weil, believe certain foods can control and reduce the body’s inflammation thereby diminishing a person’s long-term disease risk. Both anecdotal evidence and some current research are leaning toward the same conclusions. The noni plant is one such food under investigation. Noni contains a significant amount of a known anti-inflammatory chemical compound — scopoletin.
Research
Researchers are testing specific claims. At the University of Hawaii, one aspect of A.Y. Hirazumi’s doctoral dissertation studied the potential immunotherapy benefits of noni fruit. Her research led to the conclusion that noni juice could stimulate an immune response within cells. The Cancer Research Center of Hawaii continues its study of this plant with funding from the Hawaii Community Foundation and the National Institutes of Health. Researchers continue to determine safe and tolerable doses of noni capsules, however, no toxic levels or negative side effects were found in a study of 50 cancer patients. Research continues. Please speak to your health care provider concerning all existing or changes to your health care regimen, including the use of supplements.
If you have tried noni fruit, as a juice or other form, what were your experiences?
References
1. https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/types.html
2. https://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2012/pdf/11_0301.pdf
3. https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/aag/arthritis.htm
4. https://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2014/pdf/14_0298.pdf
5. https://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2014/14_0298.htm
6. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/248423.php
7. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/248423.php?page=3#some_herbs_have_anti-inflammatory_properties
8. Advance Journal of Food Science and Technology 3(4): 303-307, 2011
ISSN: 2042-4876 © Maxwell Scientific Organization, 2011
9. From: Proceedings of the 2002 Hawai‘i Noni Conference, S.C. Nelson (ed.), University of Hawaii at Manoa, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, 2003.
