When it comes to inflammation, the most important thing to understand is the source. Do you know what?s causing your inflammation?

Whether it?s acute or chronic, caused by environmental irritants or what we’re eating ? there are so many factors that go into why we’re dealing with inflammation.

Chronic inflammation can be an indication that our body’s unable to respond to what?s irritating it. Infections can jumpstart an inflammatory response, along with other sources of inflammation such as stress, unhealthy habits, and other underlying health issues.

The good news is there are natural remedies for inflammation, and a lot of those are healthy foods that are probably already in your kitchen.

Stocking your kitchen with anti-inflammatory foods will help combat your inflammation on a regular basis. That way, you?ll be more likely to keep inflammation in check instead of letting it run rampant with your health.

Some powerful anti-inflammatory fruits include blueberries, strawberries, cherries, oranges, and pineapple. Many of these contain bromelain and quercetin which are incredible for helping ease inflammation in the body. Imagine all these years you?ve been eating these super-hero foods and never knew they were fighting inflammation on your behalf!

Some other anti-inflammatory foods to keep around include…

Ginger.? Adding ginger to your meal planning can be quite simple — add it to your meals, toss some in your juicer, or make some fresh ginger tea.

Green tea.? Trade out that afternoon coffee for a green tea to enjoy the natural anti-inflammatory benefits it provides. As a side note, don?t use boiling water for green tea because it extracts too many of the tannins and will make the tea bitter.

Beets.? Beets are the root of so many health benefits. Filled with the betalain pigment which gives it its rich color along with countless other beneficial nutrients, beets provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that your body will love. Toss some on your salad, roast in the oven (add a squeeze of fresh lemon and parsley for a delicious Mediterranean flair), juice or add to your smoothie and reap the benefits.

Tomatoes.? The lycopene found in tomatoes helps provide the body with an anti-inflammatory benefit. If you?re a seasonal eater, Summer is definitely the best time to enjoy loads of tomatoes, so eat up!

Garlic.? Garlic is so versatile and can be added to nearly everything.? Take advantage of that and toss it in your home cooked meals to enjoy its anti-inflammatory benefits regularly.

Sleep.? Along with all the foods we?ve been talking about, sleep is another powerful tool for reducing the risk of inflammation. If you?re in need of improving the quality of your sleep, don?t take this step lightly. In addition to controlling inflammation, sleep plays a crucial role in your overall well-being. Stop burning the midnight oil to avoid burn out.

To wrap up, making healthy food and lifestyle choices gives your body a better chance of keeping inflammation in check ? both now and in the future. Try taking baby steps. It?s easier to build momentum when you take small, consistent action.

What can you do this week to make healthier habits? I?ll be working on getting eight hours of quality sleep. When I go to bed around 10:00 PM on a regular basis, I notice that I feel more energized and a lot less stressed. I?ve always been a bit of a night owl, so this is an area that I really need to pay close attention to.

If you?re struggling with inflammation, I invite you to contact me to discuss options that might be helpful for you. It would be my pleasure to be a resource for you.

** Disclaimer: I do not provide the services of a licensed dietician or nutritionist, information received should not be seen as advice and is not meant to take the place of seeing licensed health professionals.