Your greatest health risk is chronic inflammatory-related diseases, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In fact, they say it is the most significant health risk to all humanity worldwide!

Here is the good yet tragic news! Chronic disease is largely preventable, but most just accept this very harmful robber of health and eventually wealth. An article published by World Health Organization states, “Although more basic research may be needed on some aspects of the mechanisms that link diet to health, the currently available scientific evidence provides a sufficiently strong and plausible basis to justify taking action now. Beyond the appropriate medical treatment for those already affected, the public health approach of primary prevention is considered to be the most cost-effective, affordable and sustainable course of action to cope with the chronic disease epidemic worldwide.”

I encourage you to not accept these modifiable diseases as age-related issues that you have no course of action against. You do! You can make the choices to support your body systems and organs that promote wellness. Your body is designed to keep you well. We have bought into the idea of medication and disease management as the way to greater wellness. Yes, thankfully, we have modern medicine. But we also have modern processed foods, sedentary lifestyles perpetuated by devices like television, computers, cell phones, etc., that engage us as we sit and further encouraging chronic inflammation from the lack of physical activity. Dr. Thomas Frieden, the former Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), says the closest thing to a wonder drug is walking! Yes, one of the Ten Essentials of Wellness. He is quoted in Harvard Medical School material as stating, “Walking can have a bigger impact on disease risk and various health conditions than just about any other remedy that is available to you.”

National Institutes of Health identifies risks you should be aware of in understanding and identifying chronic inflammation your number one health risk.

• Age: Age is measured by free radical accumulation, not years and other related factors like increase in visceral body fat.
• Diet:  A diet rich in saturated fats, trans-fats and refined sugar is associated with higher production of pro-inflammatory molecules.
• Obesity: Some reports show that body mass index of an individual is proportional to the pro-inflammatory cytokines secreted.
• Low Sex Hormones: Maintaining levels of sex hormone, like testosterone and estrogen, reduce the risk of inflammatory diseases.
• Stress and Sleep disorders: Both physical and emotional stress is associated with the inflammatory cytokine release. Furthermore, sleep disorders are considered an independent risk factor for chronic inflammation.

I have to go on and give you indications of the symptoms related to chronic inflammation in the NIH article. Common signs and symptoms include:

• Body pain
• Constant fatigue and insomnia
• Depression, anxiety, and mood disorders
• Gastrointestinal complications like constipation, diarrhea, and acid reflux.
• Weight gain
• Frequent infections

Say no to chronic inflammation. Say no to foods that promote inflammation like refined carbs, fried foods, sugar-sweetened soda, processed meats, margarine, shortening and lard. And say yes to physical activity as one of the most important anti-inflammatory activities. You don’t have to be in the gym. Walking is next to being the closest things to a wonder drug, and it can be done anywhere!