Health Articles

Posted by Nicole on July 9

If you have problems with chronic inflammation or are concerned about developing them, it is important to pay attention to daily lifestyle habits which can promote or fight inflammation.

In fact, you might not know which of your habits could be making your inflammation worse right now. Below are some inflammation-promoting habits to drop to take care of your health.

1. Smoking.

Smoking can make certain inflammatory health conditions worse.

Mayo Clinic writes, “Yes, smoking is linked to the development of rheumatoid arthritis, particularly for people who have smoked 20 years or longer.”

There are no health benefits to smoking. So, if you want to make a positive difference in your life, quitting is a good starting point.

2. Drinking to excess.

Moderate drinking may be helpful if you have rheumatoid arthritis, but drinking too much can make inflammation worse.

And if you have gout, any amount of drinking could feasibly worsen your symptoms. Try reducing your alcohol intake to see if it leads to improvements.

3. Not brushing your teeth every night.

You might think that the health consequences of bad oral care would be limited to your mouth, but not brushing and flossing on a daily basis can have additional inflammatory ramifications for the rest of your digestive tract.

A 2020 study explains, "Oral inflammation, such as periodontitis, exacerbates gut inflammation by supplying the gut with both colitogenic pathobionts and pathogenic T-cells.”

Next time you're thinking about not brushing or flossing, reconsider that decision.

4. Bad posture and joint alignment.

If your joints are misaligned, that can be a formula for developing inflammation.

Summit Orthopedics explains, “Even with no injury, some joints are not aligned properly. This malalignment can overload one side of the joint, increasing the strain on the cartilage and breaking it down more quickly.”

Some issues cannot be fixed, but others may be correctable or at least improvable. Consider seeing a chiropractor, and make sure that you are not in the habit of maintaining a poor posture throughout the day.

5. Overeating or being sedentary.

Finally, another way you can overload your joints and promote inflammation is by being overweight.

Working out can not only help you reduce inflammation directly, but can also help you lose weight and further reduce joint symptoms.

If you tend to overeat, it is time to rein in those impulses. Get on a regular workout schedule to lose or maintain weight.

Avoiding Bad Habits is a Good Start to Fighting Inflammation

Now you know some habits to avoid to reduce inflammation. If you want some help further decreasing inflammation as you adjust your lifestyle, consider taking a natural supplement to fight inflammation.