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Inflammation. We have all experienced it.  For the most part, inflammation is GOOD, it is part of the immune response system that tells us when there is infection, stress, illness, or injury.  We then (usually) take the steps necessary to remedy the condition that caused the inflammation in the first place.

Chronic inflammation, however, is a key cause in disease and premature cellular aging. Below is a partial list of diseases causes by inflammation:

• Colitis
• Arthritis
• Lupis
• Fibromyalgia
• Diabetes
• Crohn’s
• Parkinson’s
• Neuropathy

Inflammation can be chronic, and linger for months, even years.  In some cases, the immune system sees the inflamed tissues as “foreign.”

“Sometimes, chronic inflammation may persist even without significant infection – either because the inflammation response has become too sensitive or because the immune system begins to perceive some of the body’s own tissues as foreign. As it turns out, aging is associated with the increase in both of these unwelcome forms of chronic inflammation. As we age, we tend to develop autoimmune conditions as well as other forms of chronic inflammation. The majority of older people have some degree of low-grade inflammation and/or mild autoimmune disorders (and some have moderate or severe forms, of course). It is no wonder that chronic inflammation contributes to the aging process because it floods tissues with free radicals and promotes the destruction of normal cells. Like most mechanisms of aging, chronic inflammation creates a vicious cycle. The aging process tends to increase the level of chronic inflammation and that, in turn, accelerates aging.  While chronic inflammation contributes to the aging of many tissues, it is particularly prominent in the aging of the cardiovascular and nervous system – the two systems most vital to our survival. Inflammation is now recognized as one of the key risk factors for heart disease and stroke, an even bigger risk factor than high cholesterol or homocysteine, according to some estimates.“ ~ smartskincare.com

The question now is, “How do I keep inflammation under control?”

First, you will need to know the factors that contribute to inflammation – injury, illness, stress, toxins, smoking, hazardous chemicals, environmental pollution, poor nutrition, and even chemicals in foods that we eat.

Second, you will need to (as much as you can, if possible) reduce the stressors that cause the inflammation.  Some of the most obvious remedies are to stop smoking, learn to de-stress, and improve nutrition.

Proper nutrition is only one way to combat inflammation. More specifically, eating hempseed and hempseed oil. Hempseed has the perfect ratio of Omega fatty acids required by the human body.  Omega fatty acids are the key nutrients in reducing inflammation. They feed and rejuvenate the cells, help with new cell growth, and keep the cellular structure strong and pliant. Omega fatty acids also improve the cell’s ability to use the nutrients that are ingested.

Hemp is also rich in antioxidants – oxidation is also one of the key factors of cellular aging.

Incorporating hemp into the diet is only one of the steps that one can take to reduce inflammation and premature aging, but it IS a delicious step.