Whaaat?  a positive look at inflammation. Really?

Yep, the positive bit relates to the fact that so many researchers, at so many universities are looking at how inflammation is involved in much of what happens in our bodies, as part of our immune response.

We know that it (inflammation) is a good thing and can turn into a bad thing. What we are getting to grips with is how that happens, and what we can do about it.

Here’s a useful and easy breakdown, in a BBC programme.  In the meantime, keep eating that chilli, ginger, turmeric and black pepper.

As a follow up to the last blog on Diabetes, there begs the obvious question; “Well Declan, what should we do about it then?” “Go on, don’t just complain, make a positive suggestion”.

Well, chillies get their flavour and attitude from Capsaicin. For arthritis, some people are prescribed Capsaicin as a medication.

It is a strong anti-inflammatory and commonly and cheaply available as a food for all of us and while it’s not the only or complete answer, is a place to start as a preventative/curative.

In the second of a series of short blogs to show medical studies that back up what we ‘alternatives’ have been saying for some time, here is an abstract to how Tart Cherries can increase melatonin for all you world travellers and shift workers out there.
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Detection and quantification of the antioxidant melatonin in Montmorency and Balaton tart cherries (Prunus cerasus).
Burkhardt S1, Tan DX, Manchester LC, Hardeland R, Reiter RJ.