The inflammation cure : how to combat the hidden factor behind heart disease, arthritis, asthma, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, osteoporosis, and other diseases of aging

A powerful new program for preventing the diseases of aging—based on cutting edge research In recent stories, both the New York Times and CNN reported on the vital link between inflammation and the risk of heart disease, as well as diseases associated with aging including arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, frailty, osteoporosis, and some cancers. The Inflammation Cure is on the cutting edge of this research, exposing this connection and showing readers how to protect themselves. In accessible language, Dr. William Meggs, an originator of the inflammation-related theory of neurogenic switching, explains the research and outlines a practical and complete program for controlling inflammation and returning to vibrant good health. The Inflammation Cure : Explains up-to-the-minute thinking on the role inflammation plays in aging and health Reveals what causes inflammation and how you can tell if you have it Presents a comprehensive program to reduce inflammation and promote wellness Provides information on anti-inflammatory foods and supplements, medications, exercise, and more As part of our immune system, it’s one of the most basic human processes. We can easily recognize its telltale signs—redness, heat, pain, and swelling—every time we get a bump, bruise, or rash. Yet the role of inflammation isn’t just skin-deep. In fact, as revealed in this eye-opening book, discovering inflammation’s function is a far-reaching, giant leap forward in our understanding of disease prevention and treatment.While inflammation is your first line of defense against bacteria and viruses, long-term or severe inflammation can cause serious health problems. Both the New York Times and CNN have recently reported that inflammation is the common thread in heart disease and other major illnesses, as well as a host of diseases related to aging, including arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, osteoporosis, and some forms of cancer. It’s now suggested that the key to good health may lie in finding the right balance between the body’s intricate pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory forces.Not long ago, most inflammation research was tied to particular medical specialties such as rheumatology or cardiology. When pioneering doctors began to look beyond the narrow confines of specialization, they made the “inflammation connection.”It was discovered that rather than being disease-specific, inflammation is an underlying factor in many diseases previously thought to be unrelated.The Inflammation Cure is at the forefront of this bold new movement in inflammation research. In clear, everyday language, William Meggs, M.D., originator of the inflammation-related theory of neurogenic switching, explains what causes inflammation, its critical relationship to disease in the body, and—most importantly—what steps you can take right now to minimize your inflammation risk.The Inflammation Cure:Defines inflammation and how it works to protect or harm the bodyFeatures an Inflammation Risk Quiz designed to assess your personal risk factorsUncovers how inflammatory processes contribute to the big killers—heart disease, stroke, and diabetes—and how these same processes might put you at risk for other inflammation-related disordersExplains why inflammation and aging are so interconnectedHelps you manage your body’s inflammation responses through exercise, diet, lifestyle changes, medical tests, and new anti-inflammatory foods and medicationsInflammation affects us all—especially today, when our nation is grappling with the healthcare implications of an aging population added to an explosion of inflammation-related health problems such as obesity and asthma. The simple truth is: the more we understand the link between inflammation and our health, the closer we come to effectively treating, and possibly eradicating, some of the most deadly diseases ever known. Shouldn’t inflammation control be a major part of your overall personal health plan? Let The Inflammation Cure be your guide.Know the Facts. Know Your Risk. Make the Inflammation Connection.Think of the last time you got a scrape or cut. The swelling and redness that resulted is inflammation in action, protecting us from serious infections and healing our injuries.But inflammation processes can and do malfunction. Just as inflammation destroys germs, uncontrolled inflammation can, over time, destroy the organs of our own bodies. The pivotal role of inflammation in heart disease, as well as diseases tied to aging such as Alzheimer’s and arthritis, has been little understood. Until now. Inflammation is a natural part of our immune system, helping to protect us from serious infection and heal injuries. But inflammation processes can and do malfunction. Just as inflammation destroys germs, uncontrolled inflammation can ravage our bodies. Heart disease, diabetes, obesity, arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, depression, and many types of cancer are linked to inflammation, but the relationships have been little understood. And ways to prevent or cure these medical problems have been totally unknown. Until now. In a clear, easy-to-understand tone, William Meggs, M.D., and Carol Svec help you guard against the life-threatening dangers of severe or long-term inflammation. This valuable guide gives you crucial information on: The inflammation connection and its impact on your health and aging, The link between inflammation and fatigue, obesity, depression, and insomnia, A lifestyle, diet, and medication program that lowers your risk of inflammation and promotes wellness, What triggers inflammation. A more complete understanding of inflammation ushers in an era of great possibilities-a revolutionary era when treating diseases such as asthma and diabetes will be akin to treating the common cold. Today, you can take the first step toward controlling your inflammation disk and assuring life-long health by discovering the power of The Inflammation Cure Terms of Use......Page 3 Want to Learn more?......Page 4 Contents......Page 7 Acknowledgments......Page 9 Introduction......Page 11 Part I: Inflammation And Your Health......Page 21 1. The Inflammation Connection......Page 23 2. The Body's Alarm System......Page 33 3. Inflammation-Risk Quiz......Page 45 Part II: Inflammation's Damage......Page 51 4. The Worst Offenders: Heart Diseases, Stroke, Diabetes......Page 53 5. Like Gasoline on Fire: Cancer......Page 67 6. Why Am I Always Tired? Fatigue, Obesity, Depression, Sleep Disorders......Page 79 7. Mistaken Identities: Autoimmune Diseases, Allergies, Asthma......Page 91 8. Inflamm-Aging: Aging, Arthritis, Alzheimer's Disease......Page 105 Part III: The Anti-Inflammation Game Plan......Page 119 9. What We Eat: Dietary Solutions......Page 121 10.Where We Live: Home and Workplace Solutions......Page 145 11. What We Do: Lifestyle Solutions......Page 169 12. How We Think: Mind-Body Solutions......Page 179 13. What Medicine Can Do: Tests and Medications......Page 195 14. The Anti-Inflammation Prescription......Page 215 Appendix: The Path To Medical Knowledge......Page 221 Selected References......Page 225 Index......Page 247 Inflammation is one of the hottest topics in medicine and is increasingly being seen as the culprit behind many of the diseases associated with aging. This book makes consumers aware of the connection and offers a program for reducing inflammation and enjoying good health. Inflammation is the body's fundamental way of protecting itself. It happens so frequently that we barely notice it at times. A scrape, a mosquito bite, a splinter - all cause redness and swelling due to the body's rush to destroy dirt and germs and repair damage. But what seems like a good thing can harm the very tissues it is meant to heal. Heart disease, arthritis, Type II Diabetes, Alzheimer's Disease, Osteoporosis, and even some cancers, are all increasingly being tied by researchers to injury caused by inflammation in the body. In The Inflammation Cure, William Meggs, MD, Ph. D., well-known and respected in the field as a founder of the theory of neurogenic switching (related to inflammation), explains the role inflammation plays in aging and health, what cutting edge research is revealing, and why it is vitally important that inflammation be minimized

"In addition to explaining inflammation's causes and its role in various diseases, the author offers advice—'an antiinflammation game plan'—on how to maintain 'inflammation balance' and feel better."—The New York Times

In clear, everyday language, William Meggs, M.D., explains what causes inflammation, its relationship to disease in the body, and what steps readers can take to minimize their risk.

"In addition to explaining inflammation's causes and its role in various diseases, the author offers advice—'an antiinflammation game plan'—on how to maintain 'inflammation balance' and feel better."— The New York Times In clear, everyday language, William Meggs, M.D., explains what causes inflammation, its relationship to disease in the body, and what steps readers can take to minimize their risk. Presents a discussion of the role of inflammation in the human body, explains what it is and how it works to protect and harm the body; identifies diseases and disorders related to inflammation; and recommends lifestyle changes, medical tests, medications, and other steps to balance inflammation in the body