Individuals who suffer from inflammation typically have one or more of the following issues:

Constipation --- Stomach bloating --- Anemia --- Asthma --- Diarrhea and other digestive disorders --- Fatigue --- Compromised immune response --- Skin rashes Nervousness --- Painful bowel movements --- Agitation, restlessness or hyperactivity Allergies, food intolerances or hypersensitivities --- Anal itching, genital itching or buttock "pimples" --- Anger, frustration, short-temperedness --- Breathlessness, easily fatigued, anemic, or low iron --- Facial grimacing, frowning, or twisting of expression --- Parasitic thoughts such as "Everyone uses me" or " People drain my energy".

Inflammation is painful, unwanted and an all around nuisance but without it we would have no Early Warning System that alerts us that something is out of balance. What is inflammation? Inflammation is a process in which the body's white blood cells and bio-chemicals can protect us from disease, infection and foreign substances such as bacteria and viruses. In some diseases, however, the body's defense system (immune response) triggers an inflammatory response when there are no foreign substances to fight off. In these diseases, called autoimmune diseases, the body's normally protective immune system causes damage to its own tissues. The body responds as if normal tissues are infected or somehow abnormal. This Early Warning System lets us know when we first have the mild signs of inflammation. The disease process is beginning with the inflammation in an "acute" state. If this proceeds unattended the inflammation becomes "sub acute" and more noticeable or painful. Left to proceed without taking action allows the disease process to continue unabated moving the condition into a "chronic state" with the potential for causing severe physical pain and emotional discomfort. Allowed to continue the disease process now reveals inflammations of the "degenerative" type. Once at this stage the inflammation is at the brink of maturing into a full blown "nameable" disease. Nature gives us every opportunity to correct the problem if we PAY ATTENTION.

More recently there have been studies suggesting that chronic and degenerative inflammation may be the root cause of heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's, autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis, and many other immune disorders. Conventional medicine still has no test for or diagnosis for chronic or systemic inflammation. There's no consensus even about what this kind of inflammation really is or how it undermines your health. Inflammation does play a central role in disease and aging, and controlling inflammation is critical to your health. Although inflammation may be a relatively new idea to conventional medicine, it's well understood in Chinese medicine. And while it's true that Western science hasn't worked out every step in the biology of chronic inflammation, we know a great deal about how to reduce inflammation and promote health.

Many experts now see inflammation as arising from an immune system that is malfunctioning. When you break your arm or catch a cold your immune system switches into gear. Bacterial infection, infestation by yeast or fungus, viral diseases, or injury trigger a chain of events called the "inflammatory cascade." The familiar signs of inflammation ( fever, pain, swelling ) are the first signals that your immune system is stepping up its function. Most inflammation begins when pro-inflammatory hormones in your body call out for your white blood cells to come and clear out infection, infestation and damaged tissue. These agents are closely related to anti-inflammatory compounds, which move in once the threat is neutralized to begin the healing process. Acute inflammation that ebbs and flows as needed signifies a well-balanced immune response. Symptoms of inflammation that don't recede tell you that your immune system switch is stuck ON and you have reached a "chronic or degenerative" stage in the in the process. It's poised on high alert, even when you aren't in imminent danger. In some cases, what started as a healthy mechanism, like building scar tissue or swelling, just won't shut off. Left unchecked the inflammation symptoms may soon produce a nameable disease like arthritis or colitis.

Some Frequently asked questions regarding inflammation

What causes the symptoms of inflammation? When inflammation occurs, chemicals from the body's white blood cells are released into the blood or affected tissues to protect you from foreign substances. This release of chemicals increases the blood flow to the area of injury or infection and may result in redness and warmth. Some of the chemicals cause a leak of fluid into the tissues, resulting in swelling. This protective process may stimulate nerves and cause pain.

What are the symptoms of inflammation? (Inflammation is characterized by): Redness --- Swollen joint that's warm to touch --- Joint pain --- Joint stiffness Loss of joint function. Inflammation may also be associated with general "flu"-like symptoms including: Fever --- Chills --- Fatigue/loss of energy --- Headaches --- Loss of appetite and Muscle stiffness. Symptoms may also manifest in one or more internal organs especially the bowel including loose stool, gas, pain, constipation and many more. Often, only a few of these symptoms are present.

What are the results of joint inflammation? The increased number of cells and inflammatory substances within the joint cause irritation, wearing down of cartilage (cushions at the end of bones) and swelling of the joint lining. (See our CMO-ReVive Item #6300 if you are challenged with this condition)

How are inflammatory diseases diagnosed? Inflammatory diseases are diagnosed after careful evaluation of: Complete medical history and physical exam. The location of joint pain --- Presence of joint stiffness in the morning --- Evaluation of other symptoms --- Results of X-rays and other tests. REMEMBER no single test exists for diagnosing inflammation. A consensus of information is needed to make an accurate evaluation.

Can inflammation affect internal organs? Yes. Inflammation can affect organs as part of an autoimmune disorder. The types of symptoms depend on which organs are affected. For example: Inflammation of the heart (myocarditis) may cause shortness of breath or fluid retention Inflammation of the small tubes that transport air to the lungs may cause an asthma attack Inflammation of the kidneys (nephritis) may cause high blood pressure or kidney failure Inflammation of the large intestine (colitis) may cause cramps and diarrhea Pain may not be a primary symptom of the inflammatory disease, since many organs do not have many pain-sensitive nerves. Treatment of organ inflammation is directed at the cause of inflammation whenever possible.

Where other formulas fall short; InflamEX excels:

Fulvic trace minerals and enzymes that target nutrients and herbs to the body areas where they are most needed.

Contains enzymes that speed up the delivery of nutrients and herbal constituents

With herbs that combat the proliferation of the various forms of inflammation

Increases blood circulation to the organs most affected

Herbs properly combined for maximum benefit and relief

Contains trace minerals rich in fulvic acids the worlds most powerful chelators

No other formula contains Tracite from our privately owned fulvic acid mine

Increases tissue strength by supplying flavones that increase circulation to affected areas

Contains ingredients that balance the engagement of the immune system preventing an auto-immune response

Protocols for successfully addressing the problem from several angles include;

Anything that causes the blood and other body fluids to exist in an acid state for extended periods will eventually cause some kind of inflammation to develop. You might say the acute inflammation is a sure way to know if your body pH is out of balance. Acid conditions are usually caused by a combination of acid forming diet, lack of movement or exercise, high stress living or working conditions and excessively intense emotional states. To heal the inflammation some changes in lifestyle are required if you want relief.

A diet for controlling and preventing inflammation should contain plenty of fresh and raw foods, especially green foods. Fresh foods should be at least 50% of your daily intake. Juicing fresh vegetables and fruits is an excellent way to maintain your body fluid balance. Make cooked veggies, black beans, pinto beans, adzuki beans, brown rice, barley, rye, soy, oats, cooked fruits, seeds and nuts the staples of your diet. Avoid simple sugars (sucrose, dextrose and glucose, evaporated cane juice), processed foods, junk foods, bottled or canned citrus juices, meat, cow milk, coffee, black tea, pop and tobacco. Limit consumption of tomato sauces, soy milks, dairy cheese, breads (even whole grain), eggs and other dairy product sparingly. Drinking alcohol in excess is not recommended if you have inflammation of any kind. Read your food labels ... if you cannot read or pronounce the ingredients don't eat it! The more you vary from this diet the greater the chances of inflammation occurring.

Avoid or modify activities that aggravate pain

Relieve pain through analgesics (pain-relieving medications) and anti-inflammatory medications or natural remedies like InflamEX without the side-effects of drugs.

Maintain joint movement and muscle strength through physical therapy and exercise if possible.