Inflammation’s Double Edged Sword
Inflammation is part of your body’s natural healing process. When you sprain an ankle or fight off a virus, inflammation helps you recover. But when that process doesn’t shut down, it turns into chronic inflammation and that’s where the real danger begins.
Studies show chronic inflammation is linked to most major chronic diseases we see in Hastings and Havelock North, including heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and cancer. In fact, over 60% of people live with at least one condition tied to chronic inflammation.
Why Chronic Inflammation Happens
It all starts with your body doing the right thing: releasing hormones to heal an injury, handle stress, or process food. But if:
The injury doesn’t heal,
Stress doesn’t stop, or
Your diet keeps triggering inflammation…
…this healthy response becomes harmful. Your immune system stays switched “on,” damaging tissues instead of protecting them. Over time, this imbalance sets the stage for disease.
Key Points:
Chronic inflammation = ongoing immune activation.
Overproduction of inflammatory mediators can damage tissue.
A proactive approach today can lower your future risk.
Risk Factors You Can Control
While age is unavoidable, most triggers are within your control:
Poor diet
Smoking
Obesity
Hormone imbalances
Sleep disorders
If you live in Hawke’s Bay, focusing on these lifestyle factors can make a big difference in your long-term health.
Actionable Steps To Lower Inflammation
You can’t eliminate every risk factor, but you can take powerful steps every day:
Eliminate or reduce processed foods – These often contain additives and preservatives linked to inflammation.
Cut back on added sugars – High sugar intake spikes insulin and promotes inflammation.
Avoid vegetable oils high in omega-6 fatty acids – Instead, use olive oil, avocado oil, or coconut oil.
Prioritize whole foods – Think fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
Stay active and manage stress – Both exercise and mindfulness practices reduce inflammation markers.
Evidence-Based Reference: Harvard Health recommends minimizing processed foods and refined sugars while focusing on whole, nutrient-dense foods as part of an anti-inflammatory lifestyle (Harvard Health Publishing, 2021).
Next Steps: Take Back Your Health In Hastings
Chronic inflammation doesn’t happen overnight and reversing it won’t either. But every positive step reduces your risk. At Structural Chiropractic in Hastings, we focus on helping you make informed decisions about movement, posture, and lifestyle that keep your body in balance.
If you’re in Hastings, Havelock North, or the wider Hawke’s Bay region, visit us to learn more about reducing stress on your spine and nervous system naturally.
Science Source:
Chronic Inflammation. StatPearls. PubMed. 2018.
Harvard Health Publishing: Foods that fight inflammation. 2021.