What is Inflammation and Why Don't We Like It

Inflammation is the latest buzzword in the wellness world. Everywhere you look, it's being linked to fatigue, acne, joint pain, Alzheimer’s, and even weight gain.

So... is inflammation really the root of all evil? Is the anti-inflammatory diet the new keto?

Let’s take a step back and start at the beginning.

What Is Inflammation?

Simply put, inflammation is your body’s natural response to injury or illness. It’s how the body kicks off the healing process.

When you get a cut or stub your toe, the redness and swelling you see is inflammation at work. Your body increases blood flow to the area to deliver healing chemicals, white blood cells, and repair agents. Without this response, wounds wouldn’t clot, bruises wouldn’t heal, and infections would spread.

Inflammation also activates when we’re sick. Whether it’s the flu or a skin infection, the immune system sends out an inflammatory response to kill off invaders and initiate recovery.

This is what we call acute inflammation—and we like this kind. It’s protective. It’s productive. It’s necessary.

So… Why Is Inflammation a Problem?

Inflammation becomes harmful when it stops being short-term.

If your body’s immune system keeps reacting—even when there’s no active infection or injury—you may experience chronic inflammation. This low-grade, long-term inflammation can damage healthy tissues, increase disease risk, and make it harder for your body to recover or function optimally.

And here’s the tricky part: Chronic inflammation isn’t always obvious.

What Causes Chronic Inflammation?

You don’t need to be sick or visibly injured to trigger an immune response. The body can perceive all sorts of threats—from poor sleep to emotional stress to chemical exposure—and initiate inflammation in response.

Let’s unpack a few common causes we see in our clients:

1. Diet

A diet high in ultra-processed foods, refined carbohydrates, added sugars, and saturated fats can consistently irritate your system. Foods like white bread, packaged snacks, processed meats, and certain dairy products may trigger a low-level immune response when consumed frequently.

This doesn’t mean you have to be perfect—it just means awareness and balance matter.

2. Stress (Physical & Emotional)

Your nervous system can’t tell the difference between emotional stress and physical danger. That means whether you’re stuck in traffic, grinding through a tough job, or managing a difficult relationship, your body may perceive it as a threat—and react with inflammation.

Even positive stress (like a challenging workout) can contribute to inflammation if you’re not allowing time to recover.

At CasaVive, we use nervous system regulation techniques like breathwork, mindful movement, and proper rest to support recovery and reduce the stress burden.

3. Environmental Exposure

Your surroundings matter. Air pollution, off-gassing from furniture, harsh cleaning products, hormone-disrupting chemicals in skincare or cosmetics—all of these can trigger your body’s immune system.

While we can’t live in a bubble, we can make informed choices and reduce exposure where possible. We talk about this often with our clients during nutrition and lifestyle counselling.

4. Lifestyle Habits

Daily habits can either support or challenge your immune system. Some examples that increase inflammation include:

• Poor sleep quality

• Sedentary behavior (think desk jobs + Netflix)

• Excessive alcohol intake

• Smoking or vaping

• Overtraining without adequate rest

One of the most overlooked contributors? Sleep disruption. Circadian rhythm dysfunction—from late nights, shift work, or screen overexposure—can increase stress hormones and keep inflammation elevated.

5. Hidden Infections

Chronic infections don’t always come with big, dramatic symptoms. Conditions like untreated Lyme disease, SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth), chronic viral infections, or even mold exposure can quietly fuel inflammation.

If you’ve been dealing with symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, skin issues, or stubborn weight gain—this might be worth exploring with your health team.

How Do I Know If I’m Inflamed?

Sometimes, it’s about listening to your body.

Are you:

• Constantly tired but wired at night?

• Holding on to weight despite “doing everything right”?

• Experiencing bloating, joint pain, or skin breakouts?

• Getting sick often or struggling with recovery?

These can be signs of chronic inflammation—especially when they don’t resolve with rest or time.

You can also ask your doctor to test inflammatory markers like:

• C-reactive protein (CRP)

• Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)

• Plasma viscosity

But even without testing, there’s plenty you can do to start feeling better.

What You Can Do Next

You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight.

At CasaVive, we believe in sustainable, supportive, holistic change. We help you build healthier habits around food, movement, recovery, and mindset—without restriction, guilt, or pressure.

✅ Want to start eating in a way that supports your body?

✅ Curious how to train without overstressing your system?

✅ Need to troubleshoot your sleep or recovery?

Let’s talk.

Book a Nutrition or Movement Consult With Us Today

💬 Click here to book and let’s get started on reducing inflammation and helping you feel better—body, mind, and nervous system.