With COVID-19 dominating the headlines, wreaking havoc on our plans, and introducing countless new stressors to already busy family lives, it’s difficult to prioritize other aspects of our health and wellness.
But it’s important to remember to pay attention to the signals your body sends you. Even in the midst of a global pandemic, you are still susceptible to other illnesses. It may be difficult to make the mental space to deal with them fully. Still, you should try!
Fatigue or achy joints—these are things that can easily be written off due to stress or a busy lifestyle. However, they’re symptoms your doctor will want to hear about. This is especially true if they persist or worsen over time. Always consult your doctor before implementing advice you read on the internet!
What is an Autoimmune Disease?
An autoimmune disease occurs when your body’s immune system begins attacking your body’s own cells by mistake. This occurs when your body fails to differentiate between healthy cells and infected or malignant cells. There are 80 recognized autoimmune diseases today.
While there are some basic similarities autoimmune diseases share, the sheer amount of diseases obviously suggests there to be a wide variety amongst them.
We don’t know exactly what causes autoimmune diseases, but one common theory is microorganisms or other environmental triggers that confuse our immune system and cause these destructive reactions to our own tissue.
A lot of sources point to things that trigger inflammation as the root cause of autoimmune reactions. They posit that once body tissue becomes inflamed, it starts a domino effect that negatively impacts other bodily functions—including our immune responses.
So many of the supplements for Lyme disease and other solutions you’ll find for the symptoms associated with other autoimmune disorders emphasize the importance of reducing inflammation in tandem with supplements for best results.
CBD
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a part of the cannabis plant. However, CBD does not get you high. THC, another component found in the cannabis plant, is responsible for its psychoactive effects. CBD causes no psychoactive effects when used in isolation.
However, there is plenty of scientific evidence that speaks to the therapeutic effects of CBD. Without getting the users “stoned,” CBD users find relief from appetite loss, chronic pain, anxiety, and such a wide variety of disorders I could write an article listening them.
The point is: CBD is great for inflammation. You don’t need to (and should not) smoke CBD. There are plenty of healthier ways to ingest CBD.
While you can opt for THC-free flower, you should have no trouble finding CBD oil at major retailers across the country. Just be sure to research the brand you are buying from is legitimate. Plenty of sketchy organizations are trying to take advantage of the recent hype surrounding CBD to sell unwitting consumers snake oil.
Don’t let the duds deter you: there are plenty of reputable brands out there. Find one near you!
Spirulina Powder
Spirulina powder is the powdered form of the spirulina leafy green. Dark, leafy greens like spirulina, spinach, kale, etc.—these are vital to our overall health. These sorts of rich green vegetables contain so many vitamins and nutrients that just incorporating one into your diet on a regular basis will see real differences on the ground.
But did you know they are also powerful anti-inflammatory agents? It’s true! But the best thing about spirulina in powder form is that you do not need to go crazy trying to make it taste good.
Powdered spirulina can easily be tossed into a protein shake or a bowl of flavored yogurt. Because it’s powdered, it’s also super concentrated, so you can use less and still reap the benefits.
Hooray to never having to pick spinach out of your teeth, am I right?
Fish Oil
Fish oil has been linked to innumerable health benefits. One of the most prominent reported side effects of regular fish oil intake is reduced inflammation.
Fish oil is notable because it provides the human body with omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are instrumental in proper brain functioning and development as well as inflammation reduction. Some mood disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and even arthritis have been linked to omega-3 fatty acid deficiencies.
One hurdle people face when introducing fish oil into their diet is the size and smell of the pills. You can invest some money into smaller, better tasting pills (they can’t work miracles, though). Fish oil pills are notoriously giant in size, so even experienced pill takers might be put off with this.
Otherwise, you should definitely feel good about making fish oil a staple in your regime!
