This can cause the immune system to produce excess inflammation and difficulties will develop. Sometimes these problems start off slowly and are not apparent for several years. Sooner or later inflammation will catch up to you and this will become apparent with problems appearing such as Arthritis.

Besides Arthritis, inflammation can cause cancer, heart disease, lupus, Alzheimer's and other serious diseases.

As you know drugs have unwanted side effects and can create problems that are worse than what they are treating. There are options such as diet, exercise and supplementation that can help without these side effects.

As with most health problems, inflammation can be brought under control by being in balance with nature. It's clear that the percentage of illnesses today is far greater than past generations. This is due to convenient fast foods, processed food and pollutants in our food and water, as well as all the prescriptions we take for diseases that didn't even exist 50 years ago.

What puts you at greater risk for inflammation?

Obesity: Being overweight causes inflammation because the fat cells produce cytokines. Cytokine is a protein which encourages inflammation. This can further lead to diabetes.

Diet: A diet consisting of prepared foods, overcooked foods and fast food will start a landslide to bury you in inflammation and other health problems.

Cooking at high temperatures will oxidize fats which help produce compounds called "glycotoxins". This is the beginning of damaging free radicals which not only increase inflammation but ages you faster.

Excess sugars, refined flour, starches and saturated fats are undermining your health by causing inflammation.

An unbalanced ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 can be a problem as well. Most western diets have too much omega-6. To adjust for this add omega-3 to your diet. You could eat more healthy fish with low mercury content or take omega-3 fish oil.

How can you decrease unwanted inflammation?

Lifestyle: You can beat the battle against inflammation by changing your lifestyle.

What are the most important things that you can start on right now?

Lose weight in a healthy way by exercising regularly. Start eating normal portions again and make sure you eat healthier and smarter.

Go for walks or join a gym. In any case get moving and you will to see tremendous results.

Diet: You want to cut out all of the negative foods such as processed and fast foods. Watch your portions and eat mostly fresh organic food. Be sure to eat some raw fruits and vegetables as well. Add nuts and seeds to your diet and you are well on your way to recovery.

Here is a list of foods that may help control inflammation: Salmon (or fish oil with omega-3) Garlic Onion Ginger Blueberries Acerola Cherries Lemons Raspberries Strawberries Kale Turnip Greens Spinach Sweet Potatoes Curry Quercitin Resveratrol

A good quality dark chocolate also has beneficial properties. Make sure it has little sugar content and go easy.

In summary

Make sure you have a healthy omega-3 to 6 ratio

If you are overweight then start losing it in a healthy way

Eat a healthy diet full of nutritious food such as fish, nuts, fruits and vegetables

Unstress

Stay away from processed and fast foods

Cut back on sugar and refined foods

Don't overcook food

Make quality friends

Be happy

Consider a natural supplement

You can stop inflammation by starting now. This is the beginning of a healthier you!