As Magda Nezda, an integrative dietitian specializing in inflammation, digestive health, and anti-inflammatory nutrition, assures in an interview with Europa Press Salud Infosalus, «inflammation is a natural and necessary process, as it constitutes a defense mechanism,» for example, in response to an infection or injury. «It is a normal physiological response necessary to heal and repair wounds or damaged tissues.»
However, she does warn that what should concern us is if our body does not know how to return to normal or control this inflammation through a good immune system, leading to a low-grade chronic inflammation.
«It is a silent enemy, which does not send such obvious signals, but certain discomforts, although we get used to living with them and in the long run they could lead us to develop health problems, even more serious diseases. It gradually takes away our quality of life,» she states in an interview with Europa Press Salud on the occasion of the publication of ‘Controlling Inflammation’ (Vergara).
WHAT FACTORS FAVOR INFLAMMATION
She points out that the factors that mainly favor low-grade chronic inflammation are: chronic stress, circadian dysregulation, sedentary lifestyle, toxins, obesity, and some alterations in the microbiota.
Regarding toxins, which we focus on in this article, she says that in today’s society we live in, they are «omnipresent,» «we are constantly exposed to chemicals that, although in small quantities may seem harmless, have a cumulative impact on health.»
For example, she mentions the water we drink, or the food we ingest: «Everything to some extent contains toxins, such as pesticides, fertilizers, alcohol, tobacco, phthalates (perfumes, cosmetics, and plastics), heavy metals (lead, mercury, cadmium, which may be present in tap water), bisphenol A (found in plastics and packaging); and other chemical additives that, in the long run, disrupt the intestinal microbiota, which also promotes this inflammation at the intestinal level and translates into systemic inflammation.»
In fact, Magda Nezda warns that many of them act as endocrine disruptors, «chemical substances that mimic, block, or alter hormonal functions.»
MINIMIZE EXPOSURE TO TOXINS
She argues that we should try to minimize exposure to toxins, although she acknowledges that we cannot eliminate them completely because of our lifestyle. «With small changes, we can reduce exposure to all toxins, and for water, for example, avoid drinking bottled water that, apart from microplastics, can also pass bisphenols from the bottle to the water.» Ideally, she continues, water should be filtered with reverse osmosis, for example.
Another factor, according to Nezda, is the toxins in the air in our homes, such as smoke seeping in from vehicles on the street, or from volatile compounds emitted by paints, or furniture, for example.
«It should be ventilated regularly, several times a day, so that we can improve the air quality at home. There are also air-purifying plants or devices that purify the air. In the end, it is about making small changes gradually in our daily lives,» this specialist points out.
AVOID PLASTICS ALWAYS
But also, when it comes to avoiding toxins, she emphasizes the need to avoid plastics as much as possible and use glass containers instead of plastic ones, not to heat food in plastic containers, or put hot drinks in plastic cups.
Likewise, she mentions personal hygiene and cleaning products because these chemical substances are inhaled, and can affect the skin and respiratory system, at the same time as, as this expert mentioned before, they can be a major source of endocrine disruptors, and also contribute to that low-grade chronic inflammation.
«Opt for natural and ecological products. Nowadays, there are more and more ecological products for household hygiene, but also personal hygiene, without these toxic components. Even the environment of our house is toxic, and through small changes, we can gradually introduce and change our personal care products, cosmetics, or cleaning products, with products of a high percentage of natural origin,» emphasizes this integrative dietitian.
She also mentions fragrances or perfumes, and instead of applying them directly to the skin, she recommends spraying them on clothing; or during cleaning, opting for cleaning vinegar or baking soda, as they do not contain those aggressive chemical products.
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FUENTE